Neal N Nikki Music Review

 

  
 
   No, we won't begin the review listing down all the musical hits Yash Raj films have had in the past. That's because it is no more news, or anything surprising for that matter. So, we directly jump into taking you through the six tracks from Arjun Sablok directed N3 [yes, this is how Neal 'N' Nikki is being known now in the yuppy circles] that features Uday Chopra for the first time since his 'dhamaka' act in 'Dhoom'. Opposite him comes new look Tanisha who is every bit slim'n'sexy and should be the talk of the town soon. It won't be wrong to say that N3 should be a second coming for her in spite of her 2 other releases in 2005 - 'Tango Charlie' and 'Sarkar'. After giving background music for a number of movies in the last couple of years and coming up with a rocking score in 'Kaal', composer duo of Salim Sulaiman look all set to wrap up the year with N3 that promises to have yet another peppy'n'youthful soundtrack with lyrics by newcomer Anvita Dutt Guptan, Irshad Kamil and Asif Ali Beg. Clinton & Dominique Cerejo, Caralisa Monteiron and Vivienne Pocha get together for the chorus.

There was a time around a decade back when the song 'Sexy Sexy Sexy Mujhe Log Bole' from Govinda-Karisma Kapoor starrer 'Khuddar' had to be reworded to 'Baby Baby Baby' as the term 'sexy' was supposed to be indecent in the movie's context. Circa 2005 and we have our very own heroine 'Nikki' openly proclaiming the world that she is 'sweet'n'sexy' and 'hot'n'happening! And no, nothing looks even wee bit vulgar or out of place in the title song 'Neal ‘n’ Nikki' that marks the introduction of the two main characters in the movie. They talk about themselves and their childhood fantasies, including a mathematics teacher and none other than George Michael!

A fun song sung excellently by KK & Shweta Pandit, it has 'COOL' written all over it and has a great rhythm by Salim Sulaiman that gets you on instantly. You just cannot help yourself humming the song the entire day after you have heard it once. Credit it to Anvita Dutt Guptan who comes up with simple lyrics that are straight out of everyday conversation. And yes, there is an element of DDLJ also in the song but you have to listen to the song to know more about it!

Another definite hit in the making is 'Halla Re' that brings Shweta Pandit behind the mike once again. Written by Irshad Kamil, it has Robert ‘Bob’ Omulo doing the rap and Salim Merchant too chipping in a little. A foot tapping track, it brings with it happiness and high energy. Fusion of Western and Indian style of music gives it a distinct feel and one is sure that this rhythmic track would be presented quite well. It truly deserves so! Mark our words, the song should be a craze on the very first day of its promo being premiered!

Beats of 'Tak Tak Tadhin' from 'Chori Chori' [Lucky - No Time of Love] begins the second track written by Anvita Dutt Guptan - 'I’m In Love'. A song about a couple's realization of love for one another, it is a melodious track that has conventional lyrics but still comes across well as a package. After hearing some peppy energetic tracks in 'Kaal' and the songs of N3 so far, Salim Sulaiman show a different side of theirs with this breezy track that is sung so very well by both Sonu Nigam & Mahalaxmi Iyer. Clinton & Dominique Cerejo are the chorus singers in the background and give the track an elegant touch. 'I'm In Love' grows on you every time you hear it. Overall, a sweet track about two young hearts in love!

Shweta Pandit, who gets a big break with N3, returns back for the third time with 'Akh Ladiye'. A 'Punjabi' celebrations track, it belongs to the kind that you hear so often from the UK 'bhangra-pop' bands. Going by reputation of today's directors to turn such a track into a visually appealing affair, it won't come as a surprise if 'Akh Ladiye' too meets with the same fate. Sung by Kunal Ganjawala and Javed Ali, it doesn't really bring with it anything distinctly mind blowing but still the rhythm and pace of the song is good enough to keep you interested in the proceedings.

'I Just Wanna Spend My Life With You' is a kind of track that comes across as a pleasant surprise towards the end of the album. Reason? It is a complete English track written by Asif Ali Beg and sung by Clinton & Dominique Cerejo. An excellent number that would be identified instantaneously by those who love hearing soft love songs from Western albums, it is the first of its kind for a Bollywood movie. Great music, lovable lyrics and above all Clinton's rendition make the song a memorable affair. The number has such a soft feel that one just can't help falling in love with it. And just try playing the song in the background when you are about to propose your girl over a candle light dinner – she just won't be able to say NO! This is a track that makes N3 further special!

The album ends on a great note with "N 'n' N – The Naughty Mix" that is remixed by Sulaiman Merchant, John Stewart and Satya Hinduja. Not one of those tracks that are remixed just for the sake of it with just a few added beats and effects here and there, this is indeed a remix of a 'different' kind as there is a lot of experimentation with overall arrangements and the pace of the song. Expect the track to come up as a promotional pace soon – it simply rocks. This one would soon make way in the hot'n'happening pubs and discotheques!!

Music of N3 is an out and out entertainer and is in fact a notch higher than Yash Raj's last 'Salaam Namaste'. Salim Sulaiman come up with yet another winner after 'Kaal' and N3 should do stupendous sales as days progress.