MUSIC | PREVIEW | MOVIE REVIEW

                Directed by documentary director Kabir Khan and starring John Abraham and Arshad Warsi in the lead, Kabul Express is a project that was subsequently taken over by Yash Raj Films. The theatrical promo of the film looked promising and the film opened to a good response at the Toronto Film Festival. So what kind of music should you expect from a movie titled Kabul Express? Locally flavored or Middle Eastern? What kind of music should you expect from the debutant film music director Raghav Sachar?

Track 1 Kabul Fiza The soundtrack sung by Raghav himself. A peppy track with lots of percussions and also doses of a piccolo. This fast paced song moves from techno to traditional with the percussions replaced by tablas and a santoor subsequently. However with Raghav’s digitalized voice, this portion is still westernized with a fusion feel.

Track 2 Banjar opens up you realize that it has to be Sivamani. Banjar is a techno, fast moving yet rustic song sung by Shubha Mudgal and this one is straight out of her own backyard. An electric sitar used by Niladri Kumar gels well with Sivamani’s percussions. Shubha as usual goes high pitch and faster as the song progresses with élan and confidence. A good fusion of flute, drums and funk guitar is bound to make this song one big hit

Track 5 Banjar Lounge Mix The rocking Banjar is back with  and this time it gets more commercial with Sunidhi Chauhan lending her vocals. The queen of lounge mixes takes away the rustic feel that Shubha Mudgal gave us in the original and sings in the distinct style that Sunidhi is always known for. This song moves in one path and Sunidhi mesmerizes and hypnotizes you with her voice. An amazing song!

Track 6 Yeh Main Aaya Kahan is probably the weakest song of the entire album. One reason being that it is sung again by Raghav who does not offer anything novel in his voice from his earlier two tracks. The song sounds similar to Keh Raha Mera Dil mainly because of Raghav. The flute in the foreground reminds one of what Leslie Lewis used to do with his tumbler.

Track 7 Kabul Fiza Theme by Raghav doesn’t offer anything novel. With a fast moving song like Kabul Fiza, you did expect the theme to be faster. This one will most likely go unnoticed. Nothing new.

Track 8 Kabul Fiza Remix the one by Raghav again is like any other remix with more beats and sung faster. However, since the original song was quite good, this one works well to the ears.