It’s not everyday that you rush to your nearest music store and ask for a CD with some amount of desperation. When names like JP Dutta, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Suneil Shetty appear in one go it’s breathtaking for me at least. Abhishek looks stunning in the ongoing promos and Aishwarya seems a doll. An old worn-out doll. A doll with a lot of make-up. Enough! So it’s [1] Umrao Jaan again. Not that I’ve seen the previous version but I have some hopes on this one. Two things. JP Dutta’s movies are definately worth a watch and the main glitter Abhishek Bachchan. Probably the only reason for me to watch the movie!

Coming back to the music scene. Anu Malik somehow manages to create some music with a little bit of noise. Well it’s music by the second and third time you hear it. It somehow gives you a total feeling of sitting in some mehfil and youcan smell that flavour of yesteryears. With everyone trying hard to stick their noses into making remakes it seems to have become a viral in Bollywood. With [2] Don already lined up for Diwali, Umrao Jaan might add to your popcorn moolah.

Track listing

1. Ek Tute Hue Dil Ki - Alka Yagnik
2. A Foreword - Javed Akhtar
3. Salaam - Alka Yagnik
4. Pehle Pehel - Alka Yagnik
5. Behka Diya Humein - Sonu Nigam & Alka Yagnik
6. Jhoote Ilzaam - Alka Yagnik
7. Main Na Mil Sakoon Jo Tumse - Alka Yagnik
8. Pooch Rahe Hain - Alka Jagnik
9. Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya - Richa Sharma
10. Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya - Anmol Mallik

At first it seems Anu Malik composed for an Alka Yagnik album. With almost all the tracks featuring Alka herself it’s more of her own personal album. The soundtrack starts with a small Ek Tute Hue Dil Ki which is a fair attempt to create a soft feeling. Javed Akhtar pumps in a line that’s more like an intro to Umrao Jaan. Salaam is the song currently featuring on national television. The video seems to work for me and the song is a classic attempt at recreating the old Umrao Jaan appeal. It works but only to a small extent. Pehle Pehel come in and you’re already in some mehfil sipping booze and enjoying the mujra! Aishwarya aunty would have gone through a tough time working on so many songs. I hope there’s more of the movie than the stupid soundtrack. Behka Diya Humein is sung beautifully. Sonu Nigam is ever fresh and Alka Yagnik is the usual. I’m waiting desperately to see Abhishek feature this one on video. The next two tracks would make you eject the CD from the CD player and break into a billion parts. But then you’re reminded of the money you spent on the damn thing so you keep it back inside. The music isn’t all noise but we’re the rock following youth who’re pissed off with a torture like this. The last track Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya by Anmol Malik is a must hear. Sweet voice and a sweet song as well.

On the whole a fair attempt. It’ll appeal to all those who love soft music. May be if you listen to music sitting in a lonely dark place sipping booze, you’ll like it.

Rating: