Music Review: Om Shanti Om

Om Shanti Om, which is due for a release on November 9, 2007 is a Farah Khan film, produced by Shah Rukh Khan himself under Red Chillies entertainment. Music is composed by the two cool cats, the Vishal Shekhar duo, right under the keys of Javed Akhtar's keyboard. A big handful of singers are hired for this album but then, the album has a dozen songs as well. Too many singers is not a problem, better than Himesh Reshammiya's albums where he sings all of them. Not that I dislike Himesh but, I would rather have him sing one or two and let the other songs be sung by other singers, for a variety.

The plot is tried and tested, the protogonist, a junior artist (played by Shahrukh Khan) in the bling bling industry is madly in love with a superstar (Played by Deepika Padukone, by the way, she looks stunning). Eventually Shah Rukh Khan meets an untimely demise, and is instantly reborn with memories of his ladylove and the lovely lass has already grown to an old woman now, who does not believe that her once loved man is reborn. Spooky re-incarnation theme, just right past Halloweeen. "Chances are" that it is a remake of our classic, "Karz". Hopefully, it will be a success like Karz, we have not had many re-incarnations in Bollywood lately. Check out our local Novi theatres for showtimings in November.

Ajab Si

Sung by KK.

This track is already making waves in all the desi channels and is defintely hitting the strings of a channel surfer's hearts. A lovely composition by Visheker duo and the lyrics are at their best. KK does full justice with his vocals. Did I mention Deepika Padukone looks stunning? Shah Rukh Khan looks geeky but, I bet that was part of being in the 80s backdrop. Mild beats and mellow sounds complete the composition.

Dard-E-Disco

Sung by Sukhwinder Singh, Marianne, Nisha & Caralisa.

Sprint towards thinly coated middle eastern style and we have Dard-E-Disco. Once in a while we come across some unique expressions in Bollywood. Dard-E-Disco anyone? The song is passable but, the interesting part is in the visual. Shah Rukh Khan goes the Salman way, sans the shirt and a forced tan. Only that, while the latter has a great bod, our dear cute Rahul strains himself in the tanned outfit.The song sports a remixed version by DJ Aqueel, which might find its place in head-banging discotheques.

Deewangi Deewangi

Sung by Shaan, Udit Narayan,Shreya Goshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rahul Saxena

A peppy title track, which makes me think that this is a stage performance with all and sundry dancing. Another passable track in the album which may not have the potential to be a chartbuster, or you may never know. The rainbow remix of this track by DJ Kiran and DJ G, will remind you of Farah Khan's "feeling hot hot" from her earlier "Mein Hoon Na" on the credits roll.

Main Agar Kahoon

Sung by Sonu Nigam, Shreya Goshal

We fall back into a swing and Sonu and Shreya toss us lazily with their makhmali (Satin-esque) voices. A lovely track, albeit with some confusing but, very sweet lyrics. The composition is not a swanky arrangement but, is simplicity at its best. Perfect for a ballroom etiquette, will find its place in the bolly love ballads for sure.

Soona Lage

Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Richa Sharma

Remember Rahat's smashing track 'Tujhe dekh dekh sona....' from Kalyug? Rahat made an unforgettable impact with that song and cahsed in a lot with desi soaps, playing that track over and over again as well. Richa Sharma has a powerful vocal to match him as well. The song may not be very appealing as it is a sad lovelorn track but, Rahat and Richa honor the track well with their powerful vocals.

Dhoom Tana

Sung by Abhijeet, Shreya Goshal

Abhijeet fits Shah Rukh's background voice perfectly since "Yes Boss" times. You listen to Abhijeet, you see Shah Rukh's face. He is fresh as ever and sings with ease. Although Shreya shrieks a little at "Kaisey..", she joins hands with Abhijeet quite well, in this peppy track. The song however, fits a Jeetendra from Caravan. Trumpets, drums, sargam, you want it, you got it.

Daastaan-E-Om Shanti Om

Sung by Shaan

We said this movie is based on re-incarnation, right? The song I have been waiting for, finally arrives. Smitten and bitten, loved and lost, believed and deceived, the song has it all it needs to bring a re-incarnate mood, and is a perfect match for the yester year's Karz's Ek Haseena thi. Karz was also based on re-incarnation and was a sensational movie. While we hold onto the classic song dearly, this song is not a failure either and we have to give all the props to Shaan. He is magnificient in the track.

And then, we have a dark side mix by Zoheb, DJ Nikhil Chinappa and DJ Nawed. I am a DJ myself and this track makes my aversion towards remixes stronger.

Om Shanti Om (Medley Mix)

There hasn't been another great medley mix after the one in Mujhse Dosti Karoge. Dard-E-Disco dominates this mix while other songs in the album play faithful flunkies around and title track fills in the fag end.

Om Shanti Om Theme Music

Instrumental

A lovely intrumental of Shaan's title track completes the album. Sweet piano and soft beats, only if, it could have been made longer. It just finishes too fast having you wait for more.

The album gets my ***1/2 stars. Write your thoughts and picks from this album.