MUSIC | PREVIEW | MUSIC REVIEW

Tanuja Chandra has been known for making films that revolve around female protagonists. Starting from 'Dushman' [Kajol], 'Sangharsh' [Preity Zinta] and 'Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar' [Amisha Patel] to 'Sur - The Melody of Life' [Gauri Karnik] and Film Star [Mahima Chaudhary], each of her films have starred a female in a pivotal role. Meanwhile Sushmita Sen too is acting in more and more films that have a statement to make from a female's point of view or at least have a female as the central protagonists. 'Samay - When Time Strikes', 'Paisa Vasool', 'Vaastu Shastra' to 'Chingaari' are just to name a few. This is what makes the project 'Zindagii Rocks' exciting since it brings the two females together. Presence of Shiney Ahuja as a male lead further adds on to the uniqueness of this project that is touted to feature some 'rocking' music by Anu Malik who now prefers to be called Aanuu Mallik. Mudassar Aziz is the lyricist. Earlier titled Rockin', the film comes from the banner of BAG Films and is slated for a September release.

Track 1&2 Javed Ali, who has been slowly but steadily getting recognition in the world of playback singing, gets an opportunity to begin the proceedings of the album with 'Meri Dhoop Hai Tu'. From the lyrics it seems to be an intellectual track but that turns out to be a deception since Aanuu Malik presents this love song in a rhythmic mode. Tulsi Kumar, who has sung her maximum songs with Himesh Reshammiya so far [though she also had a hit in the form of Aanuu Malik's version of the title song of 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye'], comes along with Javed Ali for this item song which is quite well written by Sayeed Quadri who has been roped in for just this track. The remix version follows immediately that maintains the same pace with the arrangements just becoming crisper and a little stylish. Overall a decent catchy track to mark the beginning of an album from which there are much expectations.

Track 3&6 From hereon Mudassar Aziz takes over as a lyricist starting with 'Rabbi'. The funky manner with which this track begins, it is reminiscent to Pritam style of composition, what with rap-n-reggae thrown in along with heavy duty beats and interspersion of the word 'Rabbi'. Krishna starts the song with an extended 'aalap' before Zubeen Garg and Sunidhi Chauhan take over the mike. There are just some slight shades of Middle-East music in this smashing number that has a potential to be an instant hit allover if promoted aggressively. For a track like 'Rabbi' it is imperative that it features in a Remix version too. Justified in its presence in the album, now the call of the situation is a promotional video to be built around it and the results should be there to be seen. The only word of caution – though as a listener one doesn't really care much of the song is an original or an inspiration, one hopes for Aanuu Mallik's sake that this is entirely his own since he is anyways working quite exclusively today in the wake of Reshammiya and Pritam wave!

Track 7 'Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye' is the second rock ballad in a row for this album that continues to throw in surprises. For those who love anything that is not conventionally Bollywood, this is the one for you. A beautiful love song with a guitar accompanying Sunidhi's voice, it is difficult to select between it and 'Ek Din Fursat' for the better of the lot! Excellent arrangements by Mallik make this melodious track extremely likeable. Lyrics too are above ordinary and do not even once try to follow the routine 'ishk vishk pyaar vyaar' approach. This makes it two in a row for Sunidhi as far as coming up with some lovely solos is concerned!

Track 6 Pooch Rahe Hai' follows next which is about a woman who has found love but is apprehensive about letting it be known to others. A story is being told by means of this 'mujra' that should be making an appearance at an important point of the film. Conveying a lot through lyrics in which Alka Yagnik immerses herself completely while her rendition, 'Pooch Rahe Hai' has the usual arrangements as per the setting of the music so far and helps take the story forward.

Track 8&10 It's back to performing live in a concert with 'Hadh Ko Adab Ko', a rock track. Fitting in well with the genre of the film, this Sunidhi Chauhan number reminds one of numerous songs belonging to this genre that one would have heard in Hollywood musicals. The song is fit for its situation and as expected a remix version of the same appears too. There is a calypso element involved in the track here that brings the concert to fun on a sunny beach. Peppy and enjoyable!

Track 9 Do we really need a remix version for a mellow track like 'Ek Din Fursat'? One can't help asking this question before playing on the remix version that follows. Thankfully the essence of the track is maintained in this retro version of the song that creates a feel of the early 80s [something on the lines of musical arrangement by Biddu] and makes 'Ek Din Fursat' a great hear again. The English passages throughout the track only add on to the impact. 'Zindaggi Rocks' is an album that truly surprises. Though Tanuja Chandra's 'Sur' really had some 'sureela sangeet', one wasn't sure if her collaboration with Aanuu Malik would indeed be able to pull off a score that would befit the film's genre. Well, in addition to some rocking tracks like 'Rabbi' and 'Meri Dhoop Hai Tu', the surprise comes in the form of 'Ek Din Fursat' and 'Humko Chhoone Paas Aayiye' which are just delicious.

This one is on you Aanuu!