Post K3G and Jatin-Lalit return to pretty much the same status they were prior to their big release. Kranti is one of those Jatin-Lalit soundtracks that doesn’t bring them down or bring them up, much like Albela. Two decades ago Manoj Kumar released his patriotic saga Kranti, with some melodious music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Now, Vivek Kumar has released his version of Kranti at the hands of Jatin-Lalit, once Laxmikant-Pyarelal students. If the latter were to listen to the work of their students the comparison would be despicable. “Dil Ne Dard Sa” is your normal soundtrack opener. A romance song with the protagonists singing about their love for each other, even its singers are run of the mill, Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. This is one of the only songs (out of six too) that will entertain you. The backdrop is the only decent thing about and the only thing that gives it potential. I couldn’t help hear the “Mohabbat Naam Ha Kiska” (Ajnabee) tone when the vocalists repeat the title of the song, but in reality, that isn’t the only thing familiar about the song. One would agree that these talented singers have done better and have sung these love songs for years in and out. Anand Bakshi is the only one that stands neutral here, not bad or amazing. Yet you can’t even blame the guy, we all know given the pen and the direction he could give us some meaningful lyrics, we’re just to assume no one asked him to. “Mere Dil Tu Wapas Tod De” seems like a Dhai Akshar Prem Ke hangover with the usual Jatin-Lalit backdrop. Shaan and Sunidhi have also done much better, but sound like they are having the times of their lives! I also couldn’t help hear the resemblance to “Auva Auva Yaha Nache Nache” from Bappi Lahiri’s Disco Dancer (guess Jatin-Lalit take inspiration from many sources). This one is typical Anand Bakshi romance stuff. “Jung Ho Pyar” follows with the same replicated theme from Bappi Lahiri’s Disco Dancer, but this time only in parts. The beat is swift, sort of techno styled, and other than that filled with typical use of the drums and other Jatin-Lalit music bank instruments. Asha Bhosle sounds awesome in a typical cabaret style number that is penned just for that. “Ishq Jadu Ishq Tona” has Amit Kumar serenading Sunidhi Chauhan a somewhat odd pairing with lyrics that seem lifted from Biwi No. 1. (Come on Bakshi, copying from Sameer?) Typical music here with some minimal variety which doesn’t provide for much but time-pass. For those that ever listened to the original Kranti, you won’t be able to pass the “Loui Shama Sha” lift in “O Naukar Sarkari.” You would probably be able to forgive it since the song is really nicely sung by Alka Yagnik and is the only other decent song on the soundtrack. Of course Alka is no Lata Mangeshkar but the overall feel of the song is really feel-good. Udit’s contribution is quite small with a few “oye oyes” here and there. Anand Bakshi’s obsession with the word “Rabba” continues (Kitne Door Kitne Paas, Chori Chori and now Kranti) with “Hayo Rabba” (something most people would probably be saying if they spend real money on this soundtrack!). Don’t know why Jatin-Lalit have insulted Sonu Nigam and Kavita Krishnamurthy by using them for this pointless teaser number. They both sound really average; wish I could say the same about the crazy song! 2002 begins much like the last year ended, with a soundtrack that embellishes in only one or two songs to entertain us. Surely the songs provide some minimal entertainment but if we were to rate soundtracks on their potential entertainment and not their quality there would probably be much higher numbers on the board. Kranti’s soundtrack doesn’t really hurt the film since it has two numbers that should go well with the masses. However, as a critic this is not the type of soundtrack one would want to start off the year with (if you want some good music listen to the second release this year, Aankhen). In all seriousness, I would recommend you to go to the store and pick up Kranti, but as you may have figured out by now, I’d be referring to Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s original 1982 release. |
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