Music Review :: Teri Meri Kahaani

We bring to you the exclusive music review of Kunal Kohli’s Teri Meri Kahaani.

Musical siblings Sajid-Wajid seem to be amongst 2012’s most sought-after music composers considering they have some of the biggest Bollywood projects lined up in their kitty. After a dismal soundtrack (read: Rowdy Rathore), they are back with, hopefully, a BANG with Kunal Kohli’s highly anticipated Teri Meri Kahaani – *ing Shahid Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra.

Kunal Kohli is a very interesting director. Having directed just 6 movies in the span of a decade (from 2002’s Mujhse Dosti Karoge to 2012’s Teri Meri Kahaani), the man has left a very impressionable mark amongst Indian moviegoers with his cinematic sensibilities. Teri Meri Kahaani has found its own share of skeptics who have slated it as the byproduct of a mixture containing ample doses of Mausam, Anjaana Anjaani & Dangerous Isshq. Is it really so? Well, that will not be answered till the movie hits the theatres. Till then, let us judge the music.

Whenever I listen to a new song, I form my opinion by judging it on the basis of the following points:

1) Originality quotient of the tune.

2) Singing quality + choice of singer.

3) The arrangements of the song.

4) The lyrics of the song.

The opening track of the album, Mukhtasar satisfies only two of the above checkpoints. I still maintain that it bears a resemblance to Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’s theme as well as Fida’s Nazar Nazar. Sung by Wajid Ali, the song is undoubtedly a lyrical beauty.

“Mukhtasar Mulaqat Hai,
Ankahee Koi Baat Hai,
Phir Raat Ki Shaitaniya,
Ya Alag Yeh Jazbaat Hai.“

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Aiming to be a modern age song, it overflows with hardcore techno beats and sounds. THAT is exactly where, I believe, the song falters. I urge you, dear readers, to carefully listen to the song and imagine an acoustic / unplugged version of the same. Hell! If not that, then just a different set of beats. Yes, my review will find its own share of skeptics but as a listener, I would have liked to hear a softer version of this song. Wajid breezes through it effortlessly and there isn’t anything wrong with his voice. Yet someone like Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would’ve probably suited the song far more.

A remix version by DJ Suketu ensues. I just have one word to describe it – pointless! The original version seems to be a remix in itself – why bother with an official remix then? Though, portions of this version seem to be apt for a fast-paced lounge version.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makes an appearance with the next song, Allah Jaane.

WOW!

At first, I started to diss the song. Somewhere during the playback of the first verse, I lost myself in the innate beauty of this song. Prasoon Joshi’s passionate lyrics coupled with Rahat’s intoxicating voice makes for a hardcore love-filled song.

“Mere dil pe fateh lehrane,
Meri rooh ko bhigane,
Ye noor kahan se aaya,
Iss baat ko Allah Jaane”

As a standalone track, it works – and how! As a part of a movie, mark my words, the picturization will screw it up. (I give myself some credibility considering my instinct for such things generally turns out to be true.)

The much touted tribute to the late king of retro, Shammi Kapoor turns out to be the funky Jabse Mere Dil Ko Uff. Sung by Sonu Nigam & Sunidhi Chauhan, the song sweeps you off your feet with its modern day representation of 70s Bollywood music. Overflowing with sounds of the electric bass guitar, saxophones/trumpets and the drums, the song is completely over-the-top, larger-than-life, surreal – and the best part is – IT WORKS! Both the singers infuse a fresh breath of life into the song with their power-packed singing.

In its own way, this one is a befitting tribute to some of Shammi ji’s best songs – Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyar, Baar Baar Dekho, Suku Suku, Yahoo! Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee.

A variety of notable singers reign the helm of Humse Pyaar Karle Tu – namely Wajid Ali, Mika, Shabir Bro and Shreya Ghoshal.

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Wait a minute. Why is Tees Maar Khan’s Wallah Re Wallah echoing through my ear simultaneously? That’s because the song seems to be a slightly slower version of the same.

Despite the elevated sense of déjà vu, the song manages to hold its own. Predominantly a fun, amusing song in a banter-like situation engulfed by a mist of Punjabi air, the singers do full justice to it. A special mention to the addictive clapping sounds prominent throughout the song as well as the excellent arrangements of the various instruments used.

Surprisingly, this song also comes in a fun, well-remixed version. Believe me, it is the first remix song I have enjoyed in a long time.

The album comes to an end with That’s All I Really Want To Do. Sigh! That IS the name of the song. Going by the innumerous tweets about it by the team behind the music, it seems to have already become a hit. Sung by Shaan & Shreya Ghoshal, I do not see what the fuss is all about. Yes, it is a nice hear. Yes, the singing is good too. But that is where I draw the line. In fact, the repeated chanting of ‘That’s All I Really Want To Do’ throughout the song made me want to shout out ‘SO DO IT’.

Teri Meri Kahaani’s music consists of a mixed bag of songs – mostly good, some bad. Yet, the lack of that one powerful song seems to be at the forefront. C’mon – you expect the presence of atleast one song which, in a way, symbolizes the movie. For e.g. the recent soundtrack of Shanghai will be remembered for Bharat Mata Ki Jai.

Eitherway, Teri Meri Kahaani has a pleasant, above-average soundtrack. Devout Sajid-Wajid fans will, undoubtedly, go gaga over the album. I suggest you hear it only for Jabse Mere Dil Ko Uff or for Prasoon Joshi’s imaginative lyrics.