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Producer: PFH Entertainment Limited
Director: Arjun Sablok
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Esha Deol
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Anand Bakshi
Singers: Abhijeet, Udit Narayan, Pamela Jain, Falguni Pathak, Kamaal Khan, Jaspinder Narula, Sukhwinder Singh
Audio on: Saregama
Number of Songs: 8
Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu
Reviewer's Rating: 7.0 out of 10

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Despite carrying itself well, Na Tum Jaano Na Hum still ends up being another regular effort on the part of Rajesh Roshan. Rajesh Roshan is definitely a composer with talent, just witness “Dekha Tujhe To” from Koyla or “Ek Munda” from Karan Arjun, or any other tune he’s dished out pre- Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. However, post Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, withholding the unique quality in Moksha, Roshan-saab has been displaying a techno block throwing in a little of Kaho Na Pyaar Hai into everything- and we mean everything. Unlike his counterparts who manage to add some slight hit potential to their repeated tunes (namely Nadeem-Shravan and Anu Malik), Roshan has become more and more obvious with each soundtrack. Na Tum Jaano Na Hum can consider itself miles ahead of Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, Roshan’s last composition for his nephew Hrithik Roshan, and slightly better than Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe, his last composition for the heroine here, Esha Deol, and probably on the same level as Kya Kehna, Roshan’s last composition for the other hero in this film, Saif Ali Khan

A feeble vocalist who sounds no different than her other unpopular female singers, Pamela Jain takes the don once again for Esha Deol. Roshan should have worked more on her vocals before making her do so. Her voice is tolerable but who wants to hum a tune in which the vocalist’s voice is just tolerable? In essence, the opener is just that, hummable. “Dil Leke” a normal opener that is catchy thanks to a normal use of instruments and a disappointingly re-used opening. There are few points of distinguishing composing, but just a few. Those include the traditional graduation ceremony interlude. Udit Narayan sings in the same alto, always for Rajesh Roshan and its disappointing. He’s got a heck of a voice but we’d wish he would play around with it, especially when he’s featured in soundtracks so frequently. Who’s to blame?

Piano impedes with a moody flute orchestration to follow. Probably the most uniquity we’ve heard from Roshan in a while, but what follows is a slow run of the mill composition with only the flutes to support it. Again Pamela Jain attempts to reach heights that are out of reach and in support the feeble vocal Kamaal Khan tries his best at a Lucky Ali impersonation and fails. The song carries itself well but a little slow to hold one’s attention, but considering its genre, slow romance, it serves it possible. Anand Bakshi is within his normal range of lyrics, nothing applaud worthy.

The next tune is the best song of this endeavor in terms of vocals, composition, and tune. Abhijeet almost takes the soundtrack in both versions “Haiye Raam”, the Kaho Na Pyaar Hai tune still very audible, but slightly over tuned with a loveable water drop effect and a different techno tune that Roshan hasn’t used recently. This is probably one of the best romance songs we’ve heard this year, both versions too. Pamela finally supports well with her “hmms” and “ahas”. Anand Bakshi too scores here partially. Interestingly enough, if anyone has seen the trailer for this tune, you’d be anxious to see what talent the debut director, Arjun Sablok may have. The contrasting black and white with color is at the least, intriguing.

Hrithik Roshan in distress and in the depth of embrace describes “Tum”, arguably Kamal Khan’s best song to date. He manages to handle himself well without impersonating too many singers. Roshan takes the drumbeat and infuses his own life to it resulting in a pleasing love song, especially lyrically as well. Though one wonders why he has included another American classical tune into the tune midway. It’s a decent tune to sing to that special someone.

Falguni Pathak joins in for the absolutely run of the mill, “Aha Aha”. Not only has Anand Bakshi penned better shaadi lyrics, but Roshan has also composed better wedding songs himself. Perhaps it’s the lack of a real title and the chorus’ repetition of Aha Aha and the “Pyaar Ki Kashti Mein” (Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, again) replicas mid way. The song, which would have made itself more listen able outside of the cinema, ends up being strictly for the proceedings in the film.

Chunariya” (Read: Step down in quality of songs for films featuring such stars!) is a ripped off folk song with typical dholak tunes. (Just listen to Sukhwinder Singh repeating his chorus; if you’ve heard the song, you’ll know it was copied). The shehnaai and flute attempt to change it but mid way Roshan returns to his usual repeating ways. Udit is average and should probably wonder why he’s been chosen to sing these dance numbers when he’s won awards for songs like “Mitwa”. We’ll make the assumption this one was squeezed in there because Hrithik must dance swiftly in each of his films.

Thankfully, “Yeh Betiyan” is of better etiquette. A normal shaadi song in terms of lyrics, Jaspinder Narula is soft and touching which Roshan matches with a melodious tune. Jaspinder and the chorus do quite well in the emotional tune. Taking a little more traditional tune this shaadi song can be played at a wedding ceremony.

Mediocrity withstanding, Arjun Sablok already has a solid cast, an interesting promotion campaign and audio sales to back him up. Audio sales? Didn’t the soundtrack just release? Yes, but we all know once Hrithik’s face is plastered on the CD, as is on this one, the popularity could be indifferent to the quality of the soundtrack (Yaadein, Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, is sadly topping the charts already). They all take it to the cash registers before the masses plow them down for it. Why? Na Tum Jaano Na Hum…