Big Pictures have become synonymous with good music and their last two ventures, LUCK BY CHANCE and 13B both had some lovely compositions by the choosy talented and the extremely versatile Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Here S-E-L comes as guest composers and Justin_Uday (who had done a good job that went unnoticed in
Shiney Ahuja’s HIJACK) have been given the bulk of the responsibility. Sandesh Shandilya of KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM fame too chips in with his version of ”Gulon Mein”. The movie set in Kashmir, with terrorism as its backdrop and how it affects the innocent who are exploited and go astray is the theme. Award winning director Sudhir Mishra (CHAMELI, HAZAARON KHWAISHEN AISI and KHOYA KHOYA CHAAND) co-produces this film and Piyush Jha is the director. Sudhir’s projects have always had some outstanding musical scores and naturally expectations surmount from this album. So, without waiting more let’s  switch on the play button and see what lies ahead.

Let’s get on to the most talked about composition of the lot, ”Dhoop Ke Sikke”. By now everyone conversant with Bollywood and its music will know how much moved was the lyricist Prasoon Joshi when he saw the film, SIKANDAR, the special screening of which was done so that Prasoon could pen a theme song. And definitely so touched was Prasoon that he not only penned the song, he did not charge a single penny from the co-producer, Sudhir Mishra. Awesome lyrics which can move a mountain. Set to a lovely flowing tune by guest composers, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the song is an amalgamation of nursery rhyme tune and typical S-E-L style. A throwback to the TAARE ZAMEEN PAR numbers. The song talks about innocence and urges to leave the kids innocent and carefree. Shankar and Anusha Mani. are absolutely superb with their rendition as they so very effectively convey the message through some very expressive singing. Subdued singing by Anusha (of ”Lazy Lamhe” fame) deserves applause and Shankar’s typical semi-classical alaaps too are mind-blowing. The chorus is outstanding; the rock elements that have been incorporated are fantastic. Praising the lyrics is a very difficult matter as Prasoon has excelled himself and no words big and befitting enough can be written in praise of the master craftsman, a man who has brought about such a beautiful and refreshing change to the lyrics scenario in Bollywood, which was getting too stereotyped and filmy. Definitely a sample of the awesome lyrics by Prasoon will drive home the point ”Bahut jaldi dupatte odhna sikhla rahe hai hum, Kyon zindagi ko raaste milwa rahein hain hum, Woh pallu se chipak kar maa ki chalti thi toh achchi thi, Akela chhodhkar usko kya kahna chaah rahien hai hum, Ek gehri neend se jagane do use.” Amazing! Kudos to (especially) Prasoon, SEL and Anusha.

A music video to promote the film has been recently shot featuring the truly gifted trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy performing in front of a live crowd with the clippings of the film.

”Gulon Mein”, justifiably appears as two versions and who minds as both the versions are simply spectacular and undoubtedly the best numbers of the album. Though the serene version by Justin-Uday is better, both in terms of musical arrangements and singing. In the serene version, Justin-Uday use simple guitar strums which are so effective that they have the capacity to transport the listeners to a world full of romance and love. Mohit Chauhan’s inebriated vocals are a delight, and Pritam’s ”Tum Se Hi” (JAB WE MET) shades can be seen here. The number is haunting, bewitching and truly a romantic treat which would be loved by all. Gen X and the older lot too can find something to suit their individual tastes. After ”Masakkali’ Mohit has another ace up his sleeve with ”Gulon Mein”.

True to its title the upbeat version by Sandesh Shandilya is peppier, more zestful with added beats. It’s more synthetic with synthesizers, keyboards and guitar used in plenty to give the romantic touch. K.K does the needful although frankly the very talented K.K is overpowered by Mohit with his superlative singing.

New age lyricist Neelesh Misra dedicates ‘Gulon Mein” to Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a renowned poet whose ”Gulon mein rang bhare, Bade nau bahaar chale, Chale bhi aao ke gulshan ka karobaar chale”, has been sung by legendary ghazal singer from Pakistan, Mehdi Hasan and is still a rage. Neelesh uses his own superb lyrics in the ‘anatara’ and does full justice as his words are romance personified!

”Pinu Patel ki Tedhi Medhi Love Story”, a tagline that talks more about wacky straightforwardness in love life of simpleton ”Pinu Patel” rather than a conventional Bollywood love story strikes as fresh wave of comical madness for multiplexes this season. This Parvati Balagopalan directed STRAIGHT brings out another madcap flavor of hilarious experimental cinema with music that has meaningful hues to the theme than trendy ”remix-culture” madness in it.

After making insignificant presence in low budget entertainers like BHEJA FRY, MITHYA and SIDDARTH-THE PRISONER, upcoming composer Sagar Desai finally makes his presence felt through this album with the music that promises to connect amiably with its striking upbeat feel of rock music to its prospective urbane listeners. The album tries to be innovative for lauding out the vocal finesse of Suraj Jagan in all five original soundtracks and making it a ”one-man-show” on credits. Can STRAIGHT be as ”straight to success” for struggling Sagar Desai”? Does the enthused rock musical feel have the tenacity of making this a ”cut above the rest” album in its cadre? Let’s get STRAIGHT into the musical facts…!

CHECK OUT: STRAIGHT Movie Preview

Sagar Desai’s tangy youthful rock feel makes the mood merrier in typical Indi-pop musical textures that connect vibrantly with the urbane feel of buddy-bonding in lively sounding ”Saanson Ka Rukna”. Suraj Jagan’s impressive maneuvers of club-crooner make the maximum racy impact as it strikes flammable concoction with synchronized rock-music feel. Its vigorous spontaneity excels tremendously in Subrat Sinha’s wordings where Suraj’s vocals make it an all party soothing number. Sagar Desai’s prowess in rock music aesthetics are perfectly balanced with arrangements that amalgamates well within the terrains of well crafted lyrical moves and vocalist pristine rendition. The rip-roaring hook-line (”Pa-Pa-Pa-Ra-Ra”) benchmark’s the peculiar ”yuppie” feel of the flick and its catchiness in rollicking rhythmical flows can well make it the most bankable attribute of this album.

Loud bass guitar riffs along with peppy arrangements sets the pace for a communion of romantic happenings in appealingly soft rock ballad feel soundtrack ”Humse Jo Churaiye Humko Hee”. This situational sounding number works on well versed lyrics by Subrat Sinha with strong rock music instrumental thrive in zany guitar strumming and piercing percussions backdrop. Suraj Jagan consolidates his ”rock-star” singing spree with the number that can be presumed to be effective background score for the spectrum of emotions it conveys in its noteworthy rendition. It sounds almost analogously sentimental in mood to Pritam’s passionately conceived ”Rishtey” (LIFE IN A METRO) with remarkable command over rock guitar jamming and maddening percussive display.

Vashu Bhagnani, a movie maverick, associated with No.1 stylized romantic comical hits (COOLIE No.1, HERO No.1 and BIWI No.1) turns ”big daddy” with KAL KISSNE DEKHA, as he launches his son Jackky Bhagnani, along with Vaishali Desai, grand daughter of late Manmohan Desai, a phenomenal filmmaker (especially with Amitabh Bachchan) . His prolific musical record in the past speaks volume of his musical instincts and one expects the same as he launches his son in this mushy teenage love saga. Sajid-Wajid, an emerging musical team in the marquee is the work-force behind the musical show and expectations are high. Can Sajid-Wajid’s music be able to laud a colorful musical show for these hi-profile star-kids? Let’s watch out what’s in store for the listeners as this ”futuristic” sounding title film evokes loads of curiosity for us…

Sonu Nigam makes sparkling reappearance in the album with a fervently vibrant ”bhangra-beat” culture with dash of hip-hop jives and electronica music in impressively loud ”Soniye Billori”. It has that peculiar Salman Khan’s stylized fast-paced number appeal, where thunderously punched disco beat filler makes merry with loud ”dhol” drumbeats to create furore on floors. It’s two in a row for Sonu Nigam and Suzy Q and together they create ”dhamal” on floors. Once again, the novelty factor is missing as composers play safe but deliver loads of amusement in its fervent melodic textures. The catchy punch-line ”Teri Meri Gal Ban Gayi”, entangled with enthralling disco-beat fillers makes it one special Punjabi fun loving track that can stay long on DJ’s list.

The hysterical discotheque decorum is catapulted well with effective DJ spins and scratches work as it gets into perfect mold of entertaining party number in ”Soniye Billori (club mix)”. Go for it!

Modernization makes its first plunge into this lovey-dovey album with intrinsically sci-fi stylized sentimental music (similar to impressive ”Meelon Ka Faasla” (LOVE STORY 2050) making the most remarkable dent in remarkably composed ”Aasman Jhuk Gaya”. Shaan’s silken vocal rendition has shades of sobriety of romantic emotions that camouflages to perfection in intimidating-cum-serene sounding arrangements. Sajid-Wajid show inventiveness in orchestration with varied sounds, chorals and vocal modulations serenading out shades of emotions. Shreya Ghoshal’s feminine affixation in slender tones adds to its tranquil-feel romanticism and makes Sameer’s routine sounding lyrics special for melodic ears.

”Jashn Hai Josh Hai”, a raunchy gypsy brings back 80′s action film era where songs like ”Mehbooba” (SHOLAY) and ”Pyar Do Pyar Lo” (JAANBAAZ) made their maximum impact on cine-lovers. Sajid-Wajid make hitherto efforts in unraveling this genre with mediocre sounding composition, showing concoction with flick’s title with Alisha Chinai leading out the bandwagon of gypsy singers with modest sounding Neeraj Sridhar and Wajid just adding to the credits.

Sajid-Wajid plays safe by not experimenting with either funky tunes or upbeat rhythms and refurbishes some of Sonu Nigam’s mesmerizing old melodies like ”Ab Mujhe Raat Din” and ”Kuch Tum Socho” (Album- Deewana (1999) into affable composition with modern orchestrations in ”easy-on-ears” melody ”Aalam Guzarne Ko”. Sonu excels to create the same magic in his mellifluous flows with Suzy Q rendering out affirmative chorals to add sensuous touches to it. Despite some smoothening melodic feel, the soundtrack sounds outmoded and could have worked few years back but still it can be a listening treat for all Sonu’s great fans .

Miss Sri Lanka 2006 Jacqueline will step her foot in Bollywood with Sujoy Ghosh’s ALADIN. She plays the character of Jasmine while Aladin is none other than Ritiesh Deshmukh. The film is expected to release in summer 2009.