Shahrukh Khan: Dulha Mil Gaya Music Review

Finally (and yes finally) Dulha Mil Gaya gets ready for it's arrival. After being in news for close to two years, it was high time that the film eventually sees a release. What also gets one excited about the music album of Dulha Mil Gaya is the fact that it has Lalit Pandit (of Jatin-Lalit duo) at the helm of affairs.

Together, Jatin and Lalit gave chartbuster tracks for many a Shah Rukh Khan films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Mohabbatein, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Yes Boss and the biggest of them all - Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. However, ever since their split, they haven't been able to come up with even a single memorable album. This is why one looks forward to see what Lalit has managed to create for this film that has Shah Rukh Khan playing a pivotal role. Muddassar Aziz, who is also the director of the movie, writes the lyrics.

MUSIC
This one is a voluminous album and the first track to come is 'Akela Dil' that has a groove similar to that of 'Gela Gela Dil Gela Gela' (Aitraaz). An unmistakable calypso rhythm is on the fore front here too, given the fact that the film is set in the Caribbean. Adnan Sami gets into an intoxicated and relaxed mood as per the demand of the situation and gets his own lazy style in place to sing 'Akela Dil' that has Anushka Manchanda giving able support. This is a kind of track that should add on to the visual appeal of the film. It's 'remix version' adds on the zing and should find a place in the clubs and discotheques.

Immediately after 'Akela Dil' comes the title song 'Dulha Mil Gaya' and one wonders why was the song not placed at the very beginning of the album. A chartbuster all the way, this is the kind of track that deserves to be bombarded all over the music channels. With a quintessential 'Shah Rukh Khan' flavour to it, this 'bhangra' based celebration song is the kind that can 'never' fail. Bringing in of Daler Mehndi is a master stroke too as he keeps the high spirits on and makes sure that 'Dulha Mil Gaya' (which later arrives in a 'remix version') could well be the flavour of the season. Special mention should be made of Mudassar's lyrics too which are plain, simple, massy and easy on lips.

'Aaja Aaja Mera Ranjhna' is the kind of track that could well have been made on the sets of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge or Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Yes, the music has moved to a different stage today with the likes of Pritam, Vishal-Shekhar and Salim-Sulaiman bringing in a more contemporary sound. However, for those in look out of the kind of songs that bring back the nostalgia of Shahrukh Khan cinema from the late 90s then 'Aaja Aaja....' is the one for them. Sung by newcomer Sunanda (who is later joined by Anushka Manchanda), 'Aaja Aaja....' is a good situational track that has Jatin-Lalit written all over it.

This is the reason why when 'Magar Meri Jaan' arrives, you wish if the nostalgic journey could have continued for a wee bit longer. It's back to beach for this situational theme track that has its base in searching for the right 'dulha'. Spearheaded by Anushka Manchanda, 'Magar Meri Jaan' is basically a scene from the film converted into a song and dance situation with Mahua and Lalit Pandit coming behind the mike. Strictly average.

However, in the way 'Tu Jo Jaan Le' begins, you know its back to some old world music. Sonu Nigam gets into the kind of mode he got in his hat trick of non-film albums 'Deewana', Jaan' and 'Yaad'. For those who still love the music of the late 90s and some early years of the current millennium, 'Tu Jo Jaan Le' is a decent call. No, one can't be expected to hum this song around on streets but it should be a fair bargain when seen as a part of the narrative.

By this time one starts wondering if there would be another chartbuster song after title song 'Dulha Mil Gaya'. Reason being that even though 'Aaja Aaja...' is good, it is mainly situational. Same is the case with 'Rang Diya Dil' which takes audiences right into 'sarson ke khet' and tells the story of a girl waiting to be with her love. A Shreya Ghoshal solo, 'Rang Diya Dil' is in complete contrast with 'Akela Dil' and 'Magar Meri Jaan' which were set in the Caribbean. Instead, it has a complete 'desi' feel to it and later also arrives in a 50 seconds 'sad version'. Finally comes the 'Dilrubaon Ke Jalwe', a 'qawalli' which has been shot on Shahrukh Khan and Sushmita Sen. This is the one which has a potential to be quite popular provided it is picturised as per the high standards that one expects from Shah Rukh Khan 'qawalli', especially after 'Tumse Milke Dilka Jo Haal' [Main Hoon Na]. It is after a long time that Amit Kumar comes behind the mike and he sounds as good as ever. He is given good support by Monali Thakur who goes into a different zone altogether after her 'Zara Zara Touch Me' [Race] effort. What is special about this song (which also has a 'remix version' to boast of) are the concluding portions where lyrics refer to numerous films that Shah Rukh Khan (Baadshah, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Anjaam, Devdas etc.) and Sushmita Sen (Dastak, Sirf Tum etc.) have worked in.

With the album gaining momentum once again, it is time for guest composer Pritam to conclude Dulha Mil Gaya with 'Shiri Farhad'. With Neeraj Sridhar in the credits, the recipe of a hit track is already in place. First 30 seconds into the song and you know that it is a quintessential Pritam-Neeraj combo at work. This one has to be shot well and promoted to the fullest. Period. A fun track with Pritam combining Punjabi elements with rap-n-reggae along with some funky rhythm and the right beats, 'Shiri Farhad' has Tulsi Kumar in a belated appearance but nevertheless making her presence felt. After the title song 'Dulha Mil Gaya', this is the one which has a cent percent chartbuster appeal to it.

OVERALL
Not all songs in Dulha Mil Gaya make an equal impact with a couple of them turning out to be plain average. However, to the credit of Lalit Pandit, there isn't any bad song per se with title song 'Dulha Mil Gaya', qawalli 'Dilrubaon Ke Jalwe' and Pritam's 'Shiri Farhad' coming up trumps with a situational 'Aaja Aaja Mera Ranjhna' being a decent hear. Dulha Mil Gaya is a happy album with a celebration feel to it, something that goes with the film's story and setting.

OUR PICK(S)
'Dulha Mil Gaya', 'Shiri Farhad', 'Dilrubaon Ke Jalwe'