Sikandar (Coming Soon)

Director : Piyush Jha
Music : Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Justin Uday and Sandesh Shandilya
Lyrics : Neelesh Misra and Prasoon Joshi
Starring : Parzan Dastur, Ayesha Kapoor, Madhavan and Sanjay Suri

Big Pictures have become synonymous with good music and their last two ventures, LUCK BY CHANCE and 13B both had some lovely compositions by the choosy talented and the extremely versatile Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. Here S-E-L comes as guest composers and Justin_Uday (who had done a good job that went unnoticed in
Shiney Ahuja's HIJACK) have been given the bulk of the responsibility. Sandesh Shandilya of KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM fame too chips in with his version of ''Gulon Mein''. The movie set in Kashmir, with terrorism as its backdrop and how it affects the innocent who are exploited and go astray is the theme. Award winning director Sudhir Mishra (CHAMELI, HAZAARON KHWAISHEN AISI and KHOYA KHOYA CHAAND) co-produces this film and Piyush Jha is the director. Sudhir's projects have always had some outstanding musical scores and naturally expectations surmount from this album. So, without waiting more let's switch on the play button and see what lies ahead.

Let's get on to the most talked about composition of the lot, ''Dhoop Ke Sikke''. By now everyone conversant with Bollywood and its music will know how much moved was the lyricist Prasoon Joshi when he saw the film, SIKANDAR, the special screening of which was done so that Prasoon could pen a theme song. And definitely so touched was Prasoon that he not only penned the song, he did not charge a single penny from the co-producer, Sudhir Mishra. Awesome lyrics which can move a mountain. Set to a lovely flowing tune by guest composers, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the song is an amalgamation of nursery rhyme tune and typical S-E-L style. A throwback to the TAARE ZAMEEN PAR numbers. The song talks about innocence and urges to leave the kids innocent and carefree. Shankar and Anusha Mani. are absolutely superb with their rendition as they so very effectively convey the message through some very expressive singing. Subdued singing by Anusha (of ''Lazy Lamhe'' fame) deserves applause and Shankar's typical semi-classical alaaps too are mind-blowing. The chorus is outstanding; the rock elements that have been incorporated are fantastic. Praising the lyrics is a very difficult matter as Prasoon has excelled himself and no words big and befitting enough can be written in praise of the master craftsman, a man who has brought about such a beautiful and refreshing change to the lyrics scenario in Bollywood, which was getting too stereotyped and filmy. Definitely a sample of the awesome lyrics by Prasoon will drive home the point ''Bahut jaldi dupatte odhna sikhla rahe hai hum, Kyon zindagi ko raaste milwa rahein hain hum, Woh pallu se chipak kar maa ki chalti thi toh achchi thi, Akela chhodhkar usko kya kahna chaah rahien hai hum, Ek gehri neend se jagane do use.'' Amazing! Kudos to (especially) Prasoon, SEL and Anusha.

CHECK OUT: SIKANDAR Movie Preview

A music video to promote the film has been recently shot featuring the truly gifted trio of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy performing in front of a live crowd with the clippings of the film.

''Gulon Mein'', justifiably appears as two versions and who minds as both the versions are simply spectacular and undoubtedly the best numbers of the album. Though the serene version by Justin-Uday is better, both in terms of musical arrangements and singing. In the serene version, Justin-Uday use simple guitar strums which are so effective that they have the capacity to transport the listeners to a world full of romance and love. Mohit Chauhan's inebriated vocals are a delight, and Pritam's ''Tum Se Hi'' (JAB WE MET) shades can be seen here. The number is haunting, bewitching and truly a romantic treat which would be loved by all. Gen X and the older lot too can find something to suit their individual tastes. After ''Masakkali' Mohit has another ace up his sleeve with ''Gulon Mein''.

True to its title the upbeat version by Sandesh Shandilya is peppier, more zestful with added beats. It's more synthetic with synthesizers, keyboards and guitar used in plenty to give the romantic touch. K.K does the needful although frankly the very talented K.K is overpowered by Mohit with his superlative singing.

New age lyricist Neelesh Misra dedicates 'Gulon Mein'' to Faiz Ahmad Faiz, a renowned poet whose ''Gulon mein rang bhare, Bade nau bahaar chale, Chale bhi aao ke gulshan ka karobaar chale'', has been sung by legendary ghazal singer from Pakistan, Mehdi Hasan and is still a rage. Neelesh uses his own superb lyrics in the 'anatara' and does full justice as his words are romance personified!

Since the film is set in Kashmir, Muslim influences in the album surface with a spiritual number called ''Arzoo', which is a traditional 'naat', a devotional number/ hymn sung in praise of the prophet, especially during certain prayer services ('milaad'). And very intelligently music directors Justin-Uday have roped in a young Kashmiri boy from Uru, Mehrajuddin to render this delightful track which would be savoured by the lovers of 'natiya' compositions. Mehraj is spellbinding as he effortlessly sings and the 'naat' is capable of moving the believers.

''Allah Hoo'', instantly reminds one of legendary Pakistani singer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's composition by the same name but its not so. Though this number too will fall under the same category, albeit the 'qawwali' part is replaced by a more devotional kind of singing. The duo, Hrishikesh Kamrekar and Yash Navrekar impress with their rendition. The chorus ''Allah Hoo'' needed to be more vibrant, as the slow rhythm is a bit of a dampener, although the fresh, youthful vocal of the singer needs to be commended. Kumaar as the lyricist does a good job in bringing out the turmoil and the conflicts in mind, questioning the traumatic situation and asking God as to what they have done to deserve this. Justin-Uday use minimal background music, a few drums and other percussion instruments to drive home the point and seriousness of the issue, the gravity of the situation prevailing. Mostly the song relies on the fresh vocals and the background chorus, which will definitely serve as a good situational track.

CHECK OUT: SIKANDAR is an anti-war film

''Manzaraat' can be classified as an item/dance number as it's quite rhythmic. Though the tune is very heard before and is inspired by the famous holi song, ''Bhaagi Re Bhaagi Re Brij Bala, Kanha Ne Pakda Rang Dala'', and nothing to write about. Even the arrangements are not very interesting Shilpa Rao's husky vocals are in sync with the folksy nature of the song and she is adequate. The song is quite a letdown from the excellent line up that we have had so far.

''Chaal Apni'', a situational track that sums up the attitude and confidence of the youth in a nice rhythmic number. Hamsika Iyer and Hrishikesh Kamerker sing well as a pair, their youthful vocals gel together and the over confident attitude of the protagonist is conveyed by some professional singing. Although the tune chosen by the composers could have been better, more inspiring. A number that instantly rings a bell is Rahman's ''Awara Bhavre' which was in the same corridor but was more purposeful as well as peppy.

To cut a long story short, this is one album that needs to be appreciated, and to be promoted heavily by the makers as it has all the essential ingredients to become another ROCK ON for Big Music, so classy are all its numbers. Of course the best of the lot are ''Gulon Mein'', ''Dhoop Ke Sikke'' and ''Arzoo'' while ''Allah Hoo' and ''Chaal Apni'' can fall in the good to average category. However both ''Gulon Mein'' and ''Dhoop ke Sikke'' are worth the money put in to buy the album. Go and get it. Definitely the best of the year after, DELHI 6 and that speaks volumes for the album!