Fanaa Music Review

 

Extraordinary? Well, if there was any other way that was more apt for terming the expectations from this Yash Raj Films' next, then it may as well have been placed here. And why not? After all 'Fanaa' is the biggest film coming from YRF since 'Veer-Zaara'! Though there were 'Bunty Aur Babli', 'Salaam Namaste' and 'Neal N Nikki' in between [with popular music as well], none can really match the scale of the kind of expectations one has from 'Fanaa', both from the music and the movie. Starring Aamir Khan and Kajol in lead along with Tabu, Rishi Kapoor, Shiney Ahuja and Kiron Kher, 'Fanaa' is the third directorial outing for Kunal Kohli [incidentally each being with YRF] after 'Mujhse Dosti Karoge' and 'Hum Tum'. Jatin Lalit, who have composed for the last biggie before their split, team up with Prasoon Joshi who has done some tremendous work recently in films like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Hum Tum', 'Rok So To Rok Lo' and 'Phir Milenge', to name a few. Since 'Fanaa' means completely destroyed, it leads to an eventual curiosity about the film's plot.

"Tere Dil Mein Meri Sanson Ko Panaah Mil Jaaye...Tere Ishq Mein Meri Jaan Fanaa Ho Jaaye"

This very line that makes an appearance in every promotional medium for 'Fanaa' sets the mood for the album and the film to follow. The first track 'Chand Sifarish' is the one which is known more as 'Subhan Allah' due to these two words been heard in the promos. Shaan's humming that opens up the number, very well establishes the song to be truly belonging to a Yash Chopra film. Melodious to the core, it is followed by Kailash Kher's crooning of 'Subhan Allah' and extremely catchy beats that arouses good hopes from the rest of the song. Poetic to the core, this well written number is also accompanied by the sound of a whistle and turns out to be a good fusion of Arabic and Indian melody. The real surprise comes mid-way through the number where the sound of santoor (one of the favorite music instruments in Yash Chopra films) is heard. A lyrical beauty with the term 'Fanaa' making an appearance at number of places, it has a good melodious appeal and is undoubtedly a popular number to have arrived this season.

'Mere Hath Mein' is the second number in succession with the term 'Fanaa' woven in the song. A song about a couple who are truly in love and just need each other's company, it too is based on sheer poetry and comes quite close to Javed Akhtar saab's style. Both Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan sing the number in a low pitch and one can expect a scenic beauty forming the song's background. A slow moving number with a touch of Kashmiri style of music to it, it is the first track where Kajol and Aamir Khan lend their vocals. But no, they don't sing the song. Instead they narrate a line or two that fits in well with the mood of the song. While Kajol says the line 'Tere Dil Mein..." that is the highlight of the film's promotion, Aamir Khan says:

"Rone De Aaj Humko Tu Aankhen Sujane De, Bahon Mein Le Le Aur Khud Ko Bheeg Jaane De
Hai Jo Seene Mein Qaid Dariya Wo Chooth Jaayega, Hai Itna Dard Ke Tera Daaman Bheeg Jaayega"

He further aptly wraps up the song with "Adhoori Saans Thi, Dhadkan Adhoori Thi, Adhoore Hum, Magar Ab Chaand Poora Hai Falak Pe, Aur Ab Poore Hain Hum", hence conveying the sense of being highly satisfied and completeness in love. It may not be the easiest number to sing aloud due to its poetic feel but it still makes a great impression while being heard. This is proved to be true when an instrumental 'Lounge Mix' of the same arrives in the form of 'Destroyed in Love'. Dhrubajyoti Phukan programs the number and does a good job in coming up with a true lounge version. With a haunting appeal to boast, it should be an easy pick for the lovers of lounge music

Sound of whistle is heard again at the very beginning of 'Chanda Chamke'. A children's number which is the first ever in the album to be reminding of Jatin Lalit's vintage style, it redefines the tongue twisting 'Chandu Ke Chacha Ne Chandu Ki Chachi Ko' by coming up with a new tongue twister. Mahalaxmi Iyer and Babul Supriyo pair up for this 'feel-good' number while Kajol and Aamir Khan too join in for two more tongue twisters! A difficult number sung with ease by everyone along with child artist Master Akshay Bhagwat, it is going to be a sure shot popular number, at least with the kids. And yes, unlike the previous two songs, it is of the kind that will be sung along by many due to a sheer challenge of getting it's words and tune right!

Poetry and melody make a lethal combination once again for 'Dekho Na', yet another melodious duet by Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan. At this point of time, one realizes that Udit Narayan, who has been a regular with YRF, is missing from the entire album! But you don’t mind that as Sonu Nigam and everyone else has done a great job so far to create a mesmerizing impact. 'Dekho Na' has an old world charm to it with the music belonging to the 50-60s variety and reminding of the numerous such romantic songs to have been featured on the likes of Dev Anand and others. One of the best songs to have arrived in the album, it has an innocent feel to it due to an overall beautiful treatment. While Sonu Nigam is wonderful as always [especially in numbers like this], special mention for Sunidhi Chauhan as from hereon she should be taken seriously by the composers who have otherwise utilized her potential mainly for item songs or fast paced high-on-beats numbers!

It's time for Mahalaxmi Iyer to arrive with the first (and the only solo) number of the album. 'Des Rangila' is a peppy 'I Love My Nation' number that has a strong North Indian flavor to it and guarantees a colorful picturization. The song mentions everything from Indian tradition, culture to festivals and comes quite close to 'Aisa Desh Hai Mera' [Veer-Zaara]. Ending with the sound of 'Jaya Hey' from 'Jana Gana Mana', expect an eye candy outing when the song arrives on screen.

The first ever track with a strong western influence, the Club Mix of 'Chand Sifarish' comes as 'Fanaa for You' that completely changes the mood and style of the song. DJ Aqeel does a tremendous job to make it fit for the yuppy crowds as he jazzes up the song completely by also incorporating the words 'Fanaa For You' intermittently in the number. A rocking end to the album, it is just hard to believe that how one single number could be treated in two completely opposite ways while keeping the melody and basic context intact?!

It is indeed a pity that this could well be the last album composed by Jatin Lalit because the fact is that while doing so, they have come up with one of their purest musical score ever. A guaranteed musical success for YRF, it completely justifies the hype surrounding it for all these months since the time the film has been in the making. A winner, 'Fanaa' should rise to the top of the charts in just a few days time and help the movie's promotion further.