Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonca
Abhishek Bachchan, Kangna Ranaut, Sarah Jane Dias, Jimmy Sheirgill, Gauhar Khan, Shahana Goswami, Boman Irani and Anupam Kher
By Satyajit, Glamsham Editorial
ICC World Cup Cricket has gripped the nation but Bollywood is all prepared to pitch out its GAME! In genre of stylishly packed action thrillers, debutante director Abhinay Deo plots out a game of deceit, intrigue, lust and greed with heavy dosage of glamour and slick action thrills. Music...! It has dependable triumvirate Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy leading the castle along with notable Javed Akhtar as the lyricist for the flick. So far, the track record of this musical team has delivered bountiful of success for the producers (Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani) in the form of DIL CHAHTA HAI (2001), LAKSHYA (2004), DON-THE CHASE BEGINS AGAIN (2006), ROCK ON!! (2008), LUCK BY CHANCE (2009) and KARTHIK CALLING KARTHIK (2010). If one goes by the high standards and remarkable records, GAME is predicted to be next big musical bonanza to hit audio stands. Will this be another winning 'game' for the producers and composers? Will this album live up to high expectations? Let's charter out its musical terrains...
Bollywood tryst with 'Bond-ish' theme title track makes another quirky move as Vishal Dadlani's gruffly toned vocals mixes well with electronically synchronized arrangements in 'It's a Game'. Few years back, S-E-L had their share of luck and success in tracks like 'Dhokha' and 'Johnny Gaddar' ((JOHNNY GADDAR (2007)) and this one too makes notable expression. It has infectious 'Bond-ish' signature tuneful appeal that is not only haunting but also appealing with back-up support of seductive feminine chorals and ballistic arrangements. Vishal's coarsely emoted voice plays a 'cool' mouthpiece for eventful happening, a predictable rollicking background score or suitable score for ending or beginning titles.
The second version comes out as 'It's a Game', a female version having the effective support of Sunita Sarathi's ('My Wish come true' (KISNA (2005)), 'Khuda Hafiz' (YUVA (2004)) vocals. It comes closer to international hit track 'Golden-eye' (Tina Turner) and makes sensuously loud impact with intimidating tuneful orchestrations, giving it added dark shades. S-E-L may not have given the finest in this genre but has delivered needful that should be making optimum impact in those compelling moments of the film.
Down the memory lane, the glitzy fast-paced track 'Kya Maine Socha Tha' (Hindi version of 'One Love' in RAKHT (2004)) created rage with Shaan's youthful voice playing loud and giving 'item-boy' image to Abhishek Bachchan with success. Javed Akhtar's poetic pen tries to rewrite those theme-lines again in 'Kab Maine Yeh Socha', a serene-sounding love ballad pitching Shaan's soothing vocals with Anusha Mani's deliriously saucy voice. It's impressive in its subtle orchestral maneuvers and reminds of some of S-E-L lovely tracks like 'Tumhi Dekho Naa' (KABHI ALVIDA NA KEHNA) with delicately played piano drills, melodramatic violin chorals as its striking features. Despite lacking the 'novelty factor' in its composition, it entertains well with tender romantic hues in expressive vocals and comforting arrangements. For its urbane-cool ambience and tender youthful appeal, do expect this number to be one among 'chosen-one' in Valentine's Day collections.
Game of Seduction and Deceit! Seductive cabaret and salsa moods take centre-stage with a feel of 60's bygone era in Shreya Ghoshal's quivering-cum-alluring voice in 'Mehki Mehki'. The song is conceptualized to be 'eye-candy' item-song that changes its mood from archetypical jazz feel to Arabic belly-dancing grooves. Kshitij's appealing voice (sounding similar to KK) is another highlight that infuses life in this dancing-feast type of soundtrack. S-E-L's composition plays to the situation and can be presumed to be more of visual delight on big silver screen.
'Mehki Mehki (remix)' is enthralling surprise and makes itself a striking enterprise with bouncy 'club' disco beat fillers making mood merrier. This version has striking echoing impacts, effective beat-juggles and racy DJ spins, giving sufficient energy and zeal to shake booty on floors.
Unraveling into 70's action-packed era with its peculiar thrilling melodic feel, S-E-L play it in contemporary Bollywood's thriller format in delivering out another situational soundtrack in 'Kaun Hai Ajnabi'. KK along with Aditi Singh Sharma renders out this 70's stylized song with feel of Bond-ish style thematically arranged composition. Like all previous soundtracks, this one too plays for the situational deadly feel with formidable singing and amiable orchestrations as its main supports.
To infuse dancing thrills, 'Kaun Hai Ajnabi (remix)' is delightful addition that appreciates 'pep-factor' of the album with enthralling 'club' disco beat fillers getting well into contours of this contemporary sounding soundtrack. It can be presumed to be another pivotal musical feature in the climax stages of this hi-octane thriller.
GAME is a conventional musical 'game' in genre of action-packed thrillers with couple of impressive soundtracks under its belt. This S-E-L album is no big path-breaker but neither disappoints in its entire display of seven soundtracks. The biggest assets of the albums are 'It's a Game' and 'Maine Kab Yeh Socha Tha' while rest of the soundtracks play strictly to the situational needs of the flick. After the mediocre success of PATIALA HOUSE this year, S-E-L's music has once again failed to deliver one bright chartbusting hit that could really set the pace for the film. A prosperous box-office result and positive 'word-of-mouth' publicity will surely be boosting factors in raising out its commercial prospects.