I will resist passing my personal take and comments on Joginder Tuteja's reviews as nothing but @#$%%^&* will be there but here it is for YUVRAAJ....
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/13391/index.html At the beginning of the year, when the list of most anticipated tracks of 2008 was being compiled, Yuvvraaj was one of the first to make an entry. And why not? After all, Subhash Ghai and Rahman coming together is big enough news, especially since it will be after 9 long years that the two would be coming together after Taal (Kisna had Ismail Darbar sharing credits with Rahman). With the film's subject being musical, Gulzar saab writing lyrics, Shiamak Davar as the choreographer and actors like Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif coming together, Yuvraaj was always going to be the magnum opus of 2008! So does the music of Yuvraaj meet the mammoth expectation one has carried for almost a year? The answer is No and Yes! No, because Yuvraaj is certainly not Taal. Forget matching the class of Taal, it is far away from it when it comes to sheer mass appeal. Write your own music review of Yuvvraaj Yes, because if one looks at Yuvraaj as a stand alone product and doesn't associate big names like Ghai, Rahman, Gulzar and the rest, it makes for a fine hearing. The soundtrack isn't bad; it just isn't very great, as one had anticipated all this while. Yuvraaj starts on an extremely positive note though. Amalgamation of Western classical music with Indian melody is done excellently by A.R. Rahman who creates a mesmerizing 'Tu Meri Dost Hain' which gets a Thumbs Up on the first hearing itself. Introducing a new singer Benny Dayal, Rahman gives him a huge responsibility of singing the flagship number of Yuvraaj which has a serene quality to it. Later the composer comes along with Shreya Ghoshal behind the mike as well. Flowing seamlessly, 'Tu Meri Dost Hain' has a grand orchestra to it which should sound even better once merged with the opulent frames captured by Ghai. Reminding of the kind of numbers composed by Rahman in the mid- 90s, 'Mastam Mastam' is the next to come which is a fun celebration track. Primarily sung by Sonu Nigam with Naresh and Benny being the additional voices and Alka Yagnik joining in later, 'Mastam Mastam' is situational and could easily pass off as a track for children. The tune is simple but isn't exciting enough to make you jump with joy. Now all depends upon the way Ghai picturises the song and makes it engaging enough for audience to be entertained. Beethoven is heard in 'Main Hoon Yuvvraaj' which is mainly a 70 second's piece where Salman Khan proclaims - 'I am a bad guy'. Mouthing a few dialogues in his now-famous accented manner, Salman mainly uses this platform for introducing his character. 'Tu Muskura' is set in the same mode as 'Tu Meri Dost Hain' when it comes to keeping the soothing element intact. This Alka Yagnik sung track is easy on ears but doesn't quite come with a power which would make it the kind that would become an instant success with one and all. Javed Ali joins Alka Yagnik mid-way into the song which almost sounds like a lullaby and maintains similar pace and effect from start till the finish. Yet again number where a lot would depend upon the way it comes across on screen. Subhash Ghai may have promised to incorporate a number in Yuvraaj which is in a mould similar to that of a 'Fanaa' [Yuva] or a 'Pappu' [JTYJN]. However, 'Shano Shano' doesn't really turn out to be THE hip- n-happening number which one would have expected as the tune doesn't make you head towards the dance floor even after repeat hearing. A number which sees quite a few singers coming together - Sonu Nigam, Srinivas Kartik, Timmy, Sunaina, Vivienne Pocha and Tina - 'Shano Shano' is a letdown. A shorter 'remix version' comes at the album's end. Featuring EMBER, it has the husky sound of 'Main Main Main Main Yuvvraaj' going in the background. Now it has to be seen that to what extent does Salman manage to turn around the fortunes of this song! Reminding of the kind of songs that Bhupinder Singh used to sing in the late 70s/early 80s, 'Zindagi' is the next to come. Srinivas croons this sad track which has minimal instruments in the background and mainly has him occupying the center-stage. A number about questioning life around the losses one has seen, this one is yet another hardcore situational track which barely manages to pass muster. In fact one wonders whether this number, that is almost semi- classical in appeal, would play in it's entirety in the film since it lasts as long as 5 minutes! Wait, there is more to come. The song which follows next, 'Dil Ka Rishta', is almost 8 minutes long! Seemingly a climax track which opens with clear inspiration from Beethoven, 'Dil Ka Rishta' appears to be a concert in progress with fusion of Indian and Western classical. Expect the situation in the film to have a grandeur appeal to it, especially with the opening two minutes being entirely dedicated to the coming together of various musical instruments and chorus (Clinton, Suzanne, Vivieanne Pocha, Naresh, Benny, Blazze). Later Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod and A R Rahman come together for 'Dil Ka Rishta' which promises to exceed the effect created by 'Taal Se Taal Mila' or 'Kahin Aag Lage' from Taal on the screen. Yes, there is a grand quality to this song but on the flip side doesn't have in it to be sung around the town. At maximum, it would make for a good cinematic appeal. 'Manmohini Morey' is a fusion classical track which comes with a good probability on being filmed on Anil Kapoor. Good, but situational. Yet again! Once Yuvvraaj comes to an end, one wonders that which of the songs from the album would turn into a chartbuster. And to one's surprise, it is hard to pin point on a particular track since Ghai and Rahman have mainly come up with the soundtrack that would possibly fuse well with the narrative but doesn't really throw a number which would make its presence felt from the top. Collectively, the album does have it's moments as only a song or two don't quite make an impression. Celina Jaitley, Golmaal Returns At the music stands though, Yuvraaj has a good probability of making an early impression since the name Rahman sells. However, don't expect a Taal or even Jaane TuÂ… Ya Jaane Na that had more than just a couple of chartbuster hits.
