The title, "Love In Nepal", brings back memories of long forgotten musicals, "Love In Tokyo", "Love In Simla" and "Love In Bombay" (all starring Joy Mukherjee funnily enough). These films floated upon wafer-thin plots and cared more about trying to fit in as many songs as possible. Thankfully, "Love In Nepal" is not a nostalgic attempt at recreating the Joy Mukherjee series and there genuinely seems to be a plot that promises to hook viewers. Sonu Nigam has a new hip ‘n’ trendy look in the promos and I have a feeling that he may have improved from his atrocious acting seen in his last couple of films. Even if he has not, one can still carry on hoping that one day he will hit the jackpot, just like everyone does with Abhishek Bachchan. Along with him for the ride is new-find, Fllora Saini.

Sonu Nigam sings for himself, of course, which means that he hogs all the songs in the album. Still, at least the soundtrack is consistent with its choice of male singer. The same thing cannot be said for the choice of music composers, which switches from Vishal-Shekhar to Anu Malik and to Nikhil-Vinay in a flash. That can be forgiven as the album is surprisingly enjoyable.

"Mushkil Hai Mushkil Hai" is one of Anu Malik´s two contributions to the soundtrack. And true to his style, it is a funky peppy track. Malik has infused the track with an ethnic-sounding beat that will have you wanting to tap your feet. Nigam and the chorus have fun spouting Sameer´s wholesome lyrics. Malik´s other song, "Love In Nepal" is unfortunately less likeable. The indecipherable chanting of ´Nepal´ by the chorus is irritating. Nigam and Sapna Mukherjee are wasted in this forgettable number. This is bland stuff.

The cutest song is Vishal Shekhar´s "Bolo Kya Khayal Hai". Why do I think it´s cute? Well, listen to Sunidhi Chauhan´s line, "Mujhko tumse pyar hai" and you will know why. She only renders one line repeatedly throughout the whole song and what an impact she makes! The track would be nothing, though, without Nigam´s commendable rendition.

Nikhil-Vinay take the lead for the rest of the soundtrack. The best of their compositions is easily the solo song by Nigam, "Ek Anjaan Ladki Se Milke Zindagi Aur Bhi Khoobsurat Hui". And that´s no surprise considering that this team click very well when it comes to slow romantic numbers (listen to their albums, "Jaan" and "Deewana"). This is exactly what we need after the previous fast-paced songs... something to wind down to.

Don´t worry if you think that Chauhan is just limited to one line. She gets out her brand of sensuality for "Katra Katra". There is good stuff here but it might take a while to like. Maybe the music arrangement is not as good as it should have been. The techno sound seems a bit dated. Don´t write this one off though, do give it a listen. You will either like it or hate it. I like it!! I like the way how Chauhan´s voice occasionally fades into the background and her recitings of ´katra katra´ is buried beneath the dance music. It gives it a mesmeric feel.

For the moment, the track that is on repeat mode is "Sutta Maar Le" (Nigam, Hema Sardesai). Sonu Nigam and Hema Sardesai are full of masti! Some may find the chorus´ echoings of "maar maar maar" childish but I love it.

To pad out the space on the cassette/CD, there are instrumental versions of "Bolo Kya Khayaal Hai" and "Mushkil Hai".

On the whole, "Love In Nepal" has a decent soundtrack. Interestingly, the music of Rajat Mukherjee´s latest directorial venture is more conventional and mass-appealing than "Road" or "Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya" but it still manages to please the ears.