Where's the Kajra Re of this year?
It's almost the end of 2007 and we are still waiting for, as they say, the Kajra Re-like hit of the year. Agreed, there have been a few songs, which have been popular – like Aye Ganpat from Shootout at Lokhandwala and Sajnaji vaari vaari from Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd among others. But not one has been able to come close to the kind of popularity that Kajra Re touched in 2005. Of course, there was Salaam-E-Ishq's title track, which was the only saving grace of the film. Yet it hasn't been able to equal the popularity of Kajra Re, essentially because it wasn't a dance number.
Some notable works also came in Awarapan by Pritam Chakraborty and The Train by music director Mithoon. Intriguingly, despite having three releases this year – Ta Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom and Chak De India – the Yash Raj banner, traditionally known for their music, failed to deliver. The music for Laaga Chunari Mein Daag also hasn't impressed the critics. All three music tracks failed to create the magic of the hit number, which got the whole nation on its feet.
Understandably then, expectations from Shah Rukh Khan's true-blue Bollywood potboiler – Om Shanti Om – are sky high. The second directorial venture for Farah Khan, who has choreographed some of Hindi filmdom's most famous song and dance routines, is a quintessential masala flick.
Much like Farah's directorial debut – Main Hoon Na – it will be replete with all the archetypical elements that make Bollywood films unique and give them a mass appeal. As the film travels many eras variety in the soundtrack was expected.
At the release of the film's music this week, it became aptly clear that the music directors, Vishal and Shekhar have come up with very unique tracks. The critics have given them the thumbs up and they have especially received kudos for an unusual, soulful Ajab si rendered beautifully by versatile singer KK.
And the mandatory dance number that reportedly features Shah Rukh flaunting his newly acquired six-pack abs is titled Dard-E-Disco. The jump-on-the-dance-floor number with a Persian touch is set to dominate every DJ's console. The album certainly does not have any dull moment.
