Jugaad Music Review

Jugaad Music Review

• Director : Anand Kumar
• Music : Sachin Gupta and Krishna
• Lyrics : Saahil Sultanpuri, Adeel, Priyank Dubey and Rohit Sharma
• Starring :Manoj Bajpai, Hrishita Bhatt, Vijay Raaz, Mushtaq Khan, Govind Namdeo and Sanjay
• Rating - 3/5
  

Director Anand Kumar, who hails from Delhi, comes up with a very interesting plot woven around the time of the infamous sealing drive in New Delhi, during which thousands of Delhites were affected when their houses and shops were sealed by the municipal corporation. And how those with good connections were able to escape through make shift arrangements/manipulations or 'jugaad' (hence the title), as it?s called in Hindi colloquial language in Western UP and Delhi. Serious actor Manoj Bajpai returns after a while in this situational comic-cum -thriller. The responsibility for the music department rests on the young shoulders of the immensely talented Sachin Gupta, who had shown enough potential in the melodious DIL KABADDI and is helped in his endeavour by the versatile Krishna. So, let?s see if Sachin Gupta is able to prove that DIL KABADDI was not just a flash in the pan.

After Salim -Sulaiman's "Tujhme Rab Dikhta Hai", we have Krishna with "Tu Hai Rab Mera'. Nice flute notes and light alaaps along with soft female English croonings commence the superbly, composed number. A delightful culmination of semi-classical, sufi and western, the song is a gem which needs to be heard by all lovers of pure blissful music, that is a fusion and retro mix at its best. The classical parts are not overdone and its blending with the western musical instruments is smooth and transgresses all boundaries between East and West. The tune though sounds familiar at times, and flashes of Ghulam Ali's superlative 'ghazal' "Yeh Baatein Jhoothi Baatein Hain" comes to mind, though it can just be a co-incidence as the raaga may be the same here. Krishna is a revelation as he skillfully masters the difficult high pitches and is a delight in the lower octaves as well. The lyrics are a lovely combination of easy to understand Punjabi, Urdu and Hindi and pay an ultimate tribute to the beloved. The number will appeal to all romantics at heart and those with an understanding of semi-classical and sufi and can be a good way to propose your beloved this Valentine!

After an outstanding romantic track, we have Adeel, "With the soul stirring "Kise Awaaz Doon", a number which has sheer melody at its base, albeit nothing extraordinary but nevertheless it is ear pleasing. Adeel is a promising artist from Pakistan who has shown great vocal effects in Pritam's KISMAT KONNECTION ("Move Your Body"). Some great electronic flute and bead sounds commence this sad number which will definitely make a mark with the listeners. The meticulous musical arrangements are in sync with the sense of deja vu and melancholic feel of the lead protagonist. Adeel's vocals are strong yet soft and sonorous and convey the right emotions without going overboard. The lyrics, though filmy, strike a chord and the feeling of helplessness, dejection and loneliness is brought to fore by some nice words. "Apni tanhahiyon mein koi saaya bhi nahin, Koi apna bhi nahin, Koi paraya bhi nahin, Kise awaaz doon." Nice number which grows after repeated hearing.

(While on Adeel and his number "Kise Awaaz doon", an expensive music video was to be shot with the handsome artist and was to be used as a promotional music video for the film, but had to be scrapped due to the tragic 26/11 incident. Adeel himself is very upset with the turn of events but understands the situation.)

The pulsating remix caters to the Gen X and it is fit for the clubs and discos but thankfully the tempo is not heightened and the soft lingering melody is left untouched.

Neeraj Shridhar comes out of Pritam's larger than life item numbers and is at once back to his winning ways in this zestful, humour laden, situational composition "Tension Lene Ka Nahin Dene Ka". The instantly catchy rhythm catches one off guard. The song could easily have been titled "Jugaad" as the word is interposed in between, countless times and in fact the whole song in a way embodies the mood and flavour of the movie. The song should be used as a background score in the film during dramatic and comic moments. The racy beat of the number is striking and the lyrics are humorous and they entertain to the core. Easily one of the best songs of the album, if well publicized has the capability to hit the charts due to its snazzy rhythm.

Lovely guitar beats (one thought it was the beginning of a romantic number) herald the rock mix of "Tension Lene Ka Nahin Dene Ka" and the number is converted into a soft rock ballad with lots of heavy drumming, guitaring in the background. The lead singer Aditya Jassi tries his best but is no match to Neeraj Shridhar's enticing vocals which are delightful in the original version. The music director Sachin Gupta puts in extra efforts to make this number a worthwhile experience for the listeners.

Mika Singh is turning out to be the number one item singer in Bollywood and along with Richa Sharma (more known for her folk songs) effortlessly belts out "Tabahi Tabahi", a strictly average item number. The song is supposed to be a raunchy item number but the very pedestrian tune at its baseline as well as its lyrics which are at times crude and crass, (though in Urdu) are its major letdowns. The 'qawwali' touch given to the 'antara' too is very routine and looks like it?s a number meant especially for the front benchers. The song is a big letdown especially after some lovely songs that we encountered in this album. A pure waste of talented singers like Mika and Richa and since this film is based in Delhi, one would have preferred a bombastic "bhangra' pop type dance number that would have found favour with the front benchers rather than going in for a moth laden item number.

Krishna returns once again in the heart touching composition "Mushkil Halaton Se Darna Kaisa". The number is strictly situational but conveys an outstanding message of never giving up and fighting in the face of hurdles and difficulties. The 'antara' has been given a nice, rhythmic 'qawwali' touch and Krishna excels in a composition which is his forte. The lyrics are at times dramatic but that is in demand with the script as the film is about a millionaire who has lost everything and it?s his fight to save his life and live with dignity.

Reverberating Shankh (conch shell) sounds and soothing sitar beats commence the devotional track "Jai Sai Ram" which brings the album to a beautiful, soulful end. A unique combination of 'bhajan' and 'sufi' devotional touch makes the composition more than an average prayer song and a lot of credit goes to this unique culmination of 'bhajan' and 'sufi'. The music arrangements are kept minimal with lovely sitar/veena and soft percussions sounds which convey the blissful feeling of being able to communicate with the Lord. The vocals of the lead singer are enhanced as a result of this minimal music in the background and his pleading with the Almighty to return his beloved is touching. The lyrics too are a combo of bhajan and sufi and so will have an universal appeal. Krishna does a mighty good job in keeping with the strictures of a devotional number and yet making it more interesting and less mundane.

On the whole, the album is definitely a good one with outstanding track in the form of "Tu Hai Rab Mera", a chartbuster in Neeraj's "Tension Lene Ka Nahin Dene Ka", the haunting "Kise Awaaz Doon" and of course the devotional tracks. However, the commercial viability of the product will definitely rest on its promotion, which is at present very weak and in this age of blitzkrieg publicity it appears that this album may go unnoticed until and unless the makers sit up and take action.