Pehla Pehla Pyar is an admirable attempt by Lollywood’s newest director Mubasher Lucman, not because his name is zara hat ke but because it features new vocalists and a new musician: Yousaf Khan Munna. The soundtrack kicks off with Subah Kay Noor Jaisi which comes from the drawer of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and R.D. Burman. Although the theme of the song has been previously tried with success (e.g. Eik Larki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga), the amazing vocals of the newcomer creates a lasting impression. Zindagi Main Tum Na Hotay, which follows, is a simple melancholic song, where both the sweet-sounding vocalists are aided by an irresistible flute that helps the duet succeed. The title track goes well as a potential chartbuster mainly because of the vocalists’ good work, some unbelievable Indian-style chorus and an orchestra that is outstanding overall.
Yeh Dunya Ki Rasmein begins in tremendous style with brilliant guitar and a nostalgic touch while the amiable lyrics, impressive vocals, masterful piano, aesthetic violin and soulful trumpet make it easily the best song of the soundtrack. Hai Hai Re, the next song, sounds like a situational number but only the director can determine the situation. Jagi Jagi Hai is worth listening to mainly because of the fresh vocals and fast pace. The moment the number takes off the listener is transported to the golden era of Jatin-Lalit, who composed songs for DDLJ, Yes Boss and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai etc.
It is hard to believe but there’s a number titled Seth Dawood Wants a Dying Girl! We all know Ram Gopal Verma’s degenerated controversy but I am sure that Seth Dawood won’t even notice this publicity stunt. In the end a qawwali, Dil Na Kisi Ka Toroway Banday, Keh Gaye Bulley Shah makes it to the silver screen but after listening to it, one deduces that it is not a fitting tribute to the great Sufi poet.
The names of the new vocalists haven’t been mentioned in the release but their induction has certainly made the difference, making this album a better listen than most of the usual stuff, including Ajab Gul’s ajeeb si hit. Pehla Pehla Pyar could prove to be the pehla step in the right direction, otherwise Lucman will have to look somewhere else for experimentation.
Posted on 7/10/2005 5:42:51 AM