AWESOME MUSIC. Review on Saathiya Songs

What do you expect from the duo of A.R.Rahman and Gulzar except AWESOME MUSIC. After Dil Se., it is the 1st time that this duo is set to show its magic.

The title song - Saathiya is something which one can attribute to Rehman on first hearing itself. Rhythm is the overpowering factor in the number and it clicks instantly. Sonu Nigam is in his smooth'n'silky touch and one just feels that he is one guy who deserves to be at the top. We won't discuss too much about the quality of lyrics by Gulzar for this track as they are consistently excellent in the entire album. The poetry is to be heard to be believed and the effect is just spellbinding. The way the number has been directed and choreographed is breath-stopping and one just seems to be lost in the scenery around. Shaad Ali follows his mentor's footsteps and does just what he has been tought to !! If the entire movie is as inspiring as this track then Saathiya should be one of the bright spots of the dark and gloomy 2002. Two pucca South Indian tunes are 'Chalka Chalka' and 'Chupke Se'. Former is sung by a group of females-Richa Sharma, Mahalaxmi, Vaishali and Shoma. It seems to be one of that 'natkhat, alhad, chulbula' kind of a song between a group of girls. Focus is on melody this time. 'Chupke Se' is sung by Sadhana Sargam well supported by Murtuza and Qadir. A romantic number, it is pretty melodious and its original Tamil version was a big hit in South. If the number is presented as well on screen as was in the original version then it should be a song to watch out for. The only trouble - it has a classy feel about it which may not gel very well with the public which may be looking forward to some paisa vasool time pass track. OK, so problem addressed.

Here comes Ashaji's Chori Pe Chori that has been choreographed on Shamita Shetty (in a guest appearance). Newcomer Karthik too chips in. Though the number is an item song, the director insists that it shouldn't been considered as one as it helps the story move forward. After 'Sharara' it should be interesting to watch Shamita dance to the calypso beats of Chori Pe Chori. A definite hit all the way !!! The fun continues with Adnan's 'Aye Udi Udi Udi'. After a pathetic and eminently forgettable 'Bewafa Bar' from Annarth, Adnan Sami makes a much better choice with this Rehman number. A treat to be watched, this track has indeed been choreographed differently as the newly wed couple Vivek and Rani are shown to be bringing the roof down by jumping and dancing and enjoying themselves in their house as awesome-cosy-twosome !!! A delightful track. Pop track 'O Humdum Suniyo Re' also features as 'Mangalayam' and is sung by Kaykay, Shaan, Kunal and Pravin Mani. The track is mainly sung as a chorus rather than in individual voices and is a very subdued youth track. A lot depends upon the way it is presented as it has a strong undercurrent of Rehman's version of a pop track that needs some time to settle down with the cinegoers. 'Mera Yaar Mila De' is a cry of broken heart sung by A R Rehman where the hero is searching for his beloved and praying to be reunited with her. A sad track, it is situational. It is difficult to adjudge whether 'Naina Milaike' sung by Sadhana Sargam and Madhushree is a mujra track or it represents some other situation. It is the only song which is very much UNLIKE AR Rehman. Not a song to be hummed about, it is quite weak and just pertains to a situation. We will be honest here. Masterpieces like Dil Se are created once in a few years, which have a universal appeal in entire India.

Saathiya does have its moments but then other than the title song, Aye Udi Udi Udi and Chori Pe Chori, it does not have enough ammunition to impress an all India audience. One cannot expect a person in an interior singing a Chalka Chalka or a Naina Milaike or a Mangalayam while driving his way to the office or while sipping from a cup of tea. Business in South India may be affected as they have already heard the original. It may do work best in Mumbai where there is an audience for such a score.