Jaan-e-Mann Music Review

'Jaane-E-Mann', the heart throbbing love saga, is one of Bollywood biggies to hit theatres in this year's festive season. It has many big attractions and names to attract movie buffs with breathtaking visuals and mind-blowing choreography. The film is sketched out as a love triangle shot exclusively in Hollywood's Broadway musical style in trendy New York City. Film editor- turned-director Shirish Kunder takes a big leap in his career with 'Jaan-E-Mann'. The film has acting talents of dependable actors like Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan, Preity Zinta and Anupam Kher in the lead roles. Anupam Kher comes as a surprise package by enacting role of a dwarf "Vakil Chachu", sharing on-screen chemistry with Salman Khan. Farah Khan (wife of Shirish Kunder), an eminent Bollywood choreographer, has conceived eye-catching choreography in the film with aesthetically crafted art direction by Sabu Cyril. 'Jaan-E-Mann' promises musical extravaganza like Oscar nominated Hollywood musical 'Moulin Rouge' with a fine blend of trendy music mushroomed in immaculately choreographed soundtracks. Anu Malik tries to strike chord with film's soulfully romantic theme with his improvised musical prowess and skills. The film composer has been in news for another musically oriented film album 'Zindaggi Rocks'. Unfortunately, it has proved mediocre and all hopes are pinned on the musical success of 'Jaan-E-Mann'. Noted poet and lyricist Gulzar makes strong impact with brilliant poetic verses in soulful ballads. Sajid Nadaiadwala's 'Jaan-E-Mann' has ten original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series.

HUMKO MALOOM HAI: Remember Rishi Kapoor's introductory emotional outburst in "Ek Hasina Thi" (Subhash Ghai's 'Karz')! This time Salman Khan holds mike and delivers Gulzar's written poetry "Mohabbatein mein jeene wale khushnaseeb hain... faslon mein rahte hain lekin kareeb hain" in soft and somber mood. "Humko Maloom Hai" is highly publicized number that has been conceived as playful and sentimental bon voyage of lovers. Sonu Nigam delivers one of his finest performances of this year with Sadhna Sargam coordinating it. Gulzar's lyrical work is a fine amalgamation of poetic Urdu work and urbanized stylized lingo and one-liners. The veteran lyricist tries his best to recreate the magic of "Kajra Re" with urban touch. The song narrates the make and break of love relationship between lovers through heartfelt emotions. It starts off well with traditional poetry followed by Salsa music giving it a trendy ambience. Then it has collections of "bhelpuri" lines like "Dad Naaraz the", "Mera Future Hai teri Kasam, Mera Future Hai Isme Sanam" that may sound quizzical to listeners. Anu Malik uses his best musical strength in matching the "tonality" of the situation with optimum usage of synchronized orchestration. It has the signature tune of the film that seems to be inspirational lift from "Titanic" theme music. The soundtrack has European opera style fictional element where lovers meet and separate dramatically. It would be interesting to watch the high points of this number - Farah Khan's swirling Salsa dancing steps and glossy cinematography featuring the colorful and gleaming beauty of hi-profile sets. It would have been better if Farah Khan would have saved this number for next directorial venture 'Om Shanti Om' (proposed remake of Subhash Ghai's 'Karz').

JAANE KE JAANE NA: Fun-loving pranks galore in comical style and lingo as Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh and Krishna speed up proceedings in "Jaane Ke Jaane Na". The number will be an eye-feasting rather than listening pleasure with Anupam Kher (playing dwarf), Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar dancing to frolicking funky and "qawalli" beats. Anu Malik delivers it in pop-qawwali style of "Tumse Milke Dil Ka" ('Main Hoon Na') with loud and boisterous musical set up. It reminds of "Woh Jo Bana Apna" (Kamalhasan's 'Appu Raja') where dwarfs dance eclectically to the crowd's delight. Anupam Kher's hilariously dwarf act will draw adulation as he dances throughout the song with bunch of circus dwarfs. Sonu Nigam vociferously modulates his voice to the occasion with Sukhwinder joining the company with delight. Krishna's loud and elongated "alaap" gives an introductory lead to the track. Overall, the song sounds more like parody of events with fun-loving romantic one-liners. Gulzar's lyrics create burlesque of comical camaraderie that sets the tempo of the number. Anu Malik's fusion music gives it a festive outlook and makes it a visual spectacle than a listening delight.

DJ Shane pumps the dancing floors with echoing and beat-matching techniques in the soundtrack "Jaane Ke Jaane Na (club mix by DJ Shane)". The original soundtrack sounds more pleasing than the remix number.

AJNABI SHEHAR: The ambience of westernized soulful sentimental ballad prevails as mellifluously rendered flute emotes out the signature as prelude to the soundtrack - "Ajnabi Shehar". Sonu Nigam's melodiously sauntering vocals unravel through the scintillating beauty of beautiful town ("shehar") to the mysticism of eternal beauty of beloved. This time Sonu's voice brings nostalgic memories of Mohd Rafi in the latter's 60's style choreographed on Shammi Kapoor, Joy Mukherjee, Biswajeet in films like 'Junglee', 'Ek Musafir Ek Haseena' etc. Gulzar's lyrical works score the brightest poetical quotient and make it a listening delight for perfect romantic evening. Anu Malik's inspirational "Titanic" theme music is molded with perfection with dash of Spanish Salsa music to give it romantic touch. Anu has fine controls over percussions and collages it well with poetically rendered lyrics. Gulzar's poetry speaks volumes for the lover's love interest in lines like "Aapke Bagar Bhi hamein Mithi Lagein Udassiyan, Kya Yeh Aapka Kamal Hai…." to dreamy romantic endeavors in lines like "Baat Hai Ek Raat Hai Aaap Badalon Pe Leta Thein…." Once again this gives out opera styled entertainment with echoing and modulating vocals matched beautifully with impressive poetic lyrics and resonating music. The soulful ballad will positively bring back Anu Malik to limelight and for this he should be thankful to Sonu Nigam's harmonious voice and Gulzar's immaculately refined poetic works. It brings backs memories of Anu Malik's finest works like "Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai" ('Yaadein'), "Badalon Mein Chhupa Hai Chand" ('Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi') and "Chori Chori Jab Nazreen Mili" ('Kareeb'). SHEER DELIGHT!!!

SAU DARD: The titillating musical signature tune of "Humko Maloom Hai" makes sad and emotional sparks to the soundtrack "Sau Dard". It has been conceived on the thematically inclined guidelines of popular tracks like "Hum Dil De Chuke Hain Sanam" and "Tadap Tadap Ke" ('Hum Dil De Chuke Hain Sanam') where lover exasperates, infuriates and remorses for his lost love. Sonu Nigam scores pure gold with this track by emoting out this heart-piercing musical work that has been embellished with delightful poetry. Suzanne's brief feminine rendition adds sensuality to the number. Gulzar's age old mastery in delivering poetical mysticism showers praise, success and delight to his fans. It has soulful sentimental lines like "Sau Dard Hai, Sau Raatein, Sab Mila Dilnashin Ek Tu Hi Nahin…" and carries the emotional voyage with lines like "Bahta Hai Paani Hai Behne De, Waqt Ko Yun Hi Rahne De, Dariya Ne Karwat Li Hai To, Saahilon Ko Sehne De…" It's twice in a row where poetic magnetism has combined brilliantly musical prowess of vocal genius and harmonious composer. Anu Malik l shows his brighter side and proves his worth as reliable musical composer after series of mediocre albums and numbers.

"Sau Dard (Groove mix)" comes as relaxing mood swinging number where the serenity of the number is maintained with gentle beats and rhythms. Despite the fact that this remix work is done on soft sentimental, yet it is worth delightful evenings and parties.

UDH JAANA…BRO: What is BRO? It's an American slang for "Brother"! So this time Bollywood musical fraternity discovers new slang for funky tracks and makes best of it in soundtrack "Udh Jaana…Bro". Hip-hop and rock music galore all the way with a concert feel number where singers flaunt their talents. It may sound out of sync to hear Adnan Sami's indifferent voice with dominating vocals of Kunal Ganjawala and Sunidhi Chauhan ruling the show. It sounds more like "boogie-woogie" number where singers or performers tussle for their supremacy. Anu Malik falters completely in delivering innovative funky beats as he rehashes his old tunes of numbers like "Aisa Pehli Baar Hua Hai" and "Ek Garam Chai Ki" ('Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega'). The elongated "jugalbandi" might sound praise worthy on screen but lacks the fire and zest to stir up pop genre. Even the choice of singers seems to be going against the prospects of the number. Adnan Sami's lackluster voice hardly makes any impact and Kunal Ganjawala proves unworthy for such racy numbers. Shaan and KK could have been better choices and their upbeat and groovy voices could have graced the occasion well. Besides , the number sounds too noisy, jarring with dampening vocals and harshening music. Anu faltered with high-pitched in 'Zindaggi Rocks' and the failure continue with "Udh Jaana…Bro". Farah Khan's choreography can finally dictate the final outcome for this number but Anu Malik's music disappoints completely.

Rollicking club disco beats make splashing impact and give it a trendy look for dance floors in "Udh Jaana…Bro (club mix)". The tempo of the number is accelerated but still it fails to create any impact.

KUBOOL KAR LE: Indian Idol winners and participants finally get a platform where they can perform together in one soundtrack and it comes in the form of "Kubool Kar Le". Amit Sana, Prajakta Shukre, Rahul Vaidya, Monali Thakur along with Udit Narayan and Suzanne, create an aura of festive delight in a celebration song. It's situational number where bunch of friends offer proposal to girl's fiancé for marriage. It's traditional Bollywood number and Anu delivers in his contemporary style. Suzaane's westernized "alaap" with funky beats initiates the number followed by loud chorus. Udit Narayan sounds more prominent whereas the young brigade of singers sounds more like a team of chorus singers.

'Jaanemann' comes out as Anu Malik's finest musical work of the year after mediocre success of 'Pyare Mohan', 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye' and 'Zindaggi Rocks'. The soulful ballads "Ajnabi Shehar" and "Sau Dard" are priceless gems but the disco number disappoints. It will be one of the big selling albums of the year and will be the first big hit for Anu Malik this year.