Aamir Khan's new movie GHAJINI has been hogging the limelight since a good 12 months now, and the film is arguably the BIGGEST movie of the year, along with SRK's Rab ne bana di jodi.
Aamir Khan has transformed into the incredible (looking) hulk to fit into the role for GHAJINI and has even sported his nearly shaven head throughout 2008. Ghajini had its ups and downs while filming that led to a number of delays. We've been waiting for sneak peaks of the film and the songs since two months with little avail. The announced date for the music release was November 15th, yet nothing came but the atrocious Golmaal Returns. So after sweating with impatience for about a week, we finally managed to get our hands on the music CD of the film. I must say the presentation is impeccable. Laced with red overtones, the CD box features a hulking, sunken Aamir Khan with on screen love Asin on his biceps. The inside sleeve of the box is quite uniquely designed, it opens in 3 parts, with the CD placed in the middle. A little booklet pops out of the left compartment which contains all the lyrics and some saucy snaps of the film (including a very sexy leggy Asin). While a bare legged Asin strolling in the Namibian desert brought a smile upon the face, the six different looks of Aamir followed in the next pages. Without further ado, we shoved the CD quickly in the player and turned up the volume. Immediately Sonu Nigam hummed a haunting tune and the fantastic guitar from *'Guzarish'*flowed. The beautiful lyrics by Prasoon Josi and soothing vocals by Javed Ali straightaway bring out the goosebumps. The music by A.R Rahman is stunning as it sets the mood, and a little other worldly operatic cameo by an unnamed female melts your heart. Guest vocalist Sonu Nigam comes back again with 'oohs and aahs' and then again with an excellent crescendo. The song has been picturized in the deadpan desert of Namibia, Five out of five for this song. Simply Superb. Next up, we hear an old tape playing and someone singing 'Jhoom le jhoomjhama'... and the song *'Aye Bachchu'* explodes in full swing, complete with an electric guitar and a Pop-Rock sound. Newcomer Suzanne provides vocals with a lot of enthusiasm and we LOVE it. The lyrics are crazy and peppy, with percussion that will get lazy bones shaking to the tune. Turn up the bass and enjoy this great track. We definitely want to hear more from Suzanne. As if the joy from the previous song wasn't enough, a guitar reminiscent of 'Won't get fooled again' shimmers. *'Kaise Mujhe'* has Benny Dayal and Shreya Goshal for the vocals and beats that evoke memories of Sukhvindar's 'Jaane mai'. A svelte piano plays near the end of the track. While the lyrics and music are really good, Dayal needs to stop rolling his tongue every time there's an 'R' sound. Next up is the highly publicized *'Behka'* with Aamir Khan's six different hairstyles and billion different colours in the wardrobe. The track has a nice saxophone but quite strange vocals by Karthik. Out of nowhere Rock kicks in and as unexpectedly it disappears. Very uneven, probably would gel better while watching the movie. Providing some respite after the utter weirdness of the earlier song, some Enigma style chrome music and DJ scratches kick in followed by the words 'One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind'. When you least expect it, Shreya Goshal does an 'S for Sonia' crooning *'Latoo'*. Shreya is talented but is certainly not cut for songs like these, she should stick to the glummer side of music. The lyrics make little sense (thoda thoda Zimbabwe and mazari mazara??). Unless this song is shot in Africa, Ghajini could do without this song. Suzanne from 'Aye Bachchu' would have been so much better for this number. To finish things off is the *instrumental version of 'Kaise Mujhe'*. No difference, except for the tongue rolling vocals replaced by the guitar and flute. This track might probably play when the end credits roll in. Not the best ending to a music album, but still listenable while you're driving a car. So there you have it, the music of GHAJINI is a fifty fifty. While the first three songs are really swell, the rest of the album is sort of disappointing. We probably expected too much from Aamir Khan after the exquisite music in 'Taare Zammen Par' and 'Rang De Basanti'. A.R Rahman hits a hat trick with this film after 'Yuvvraaj' and 'Jaane tu'. Lets just say this album comes third in the lot. *'Guzarish'* and *'Aye Bachchu' *make it worth the money. Whatever the case, the album is BETTER THAN 'RAB NE'. So at least in the Bollywood segment Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy take the crown in 2008 for 'Rock On' and 'Taare', nudging out Rahman. But then Rahman has got the magnificent music of 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' up his sleeve for Hollywood. Check back on the 27th for the review on that album. Until then, there's Ghajini. http://www.india.com/entertainment/music/music_review_ghajini_1482
