AITRAAZ (2004)

Producer: Mukta Arts
Director: Abbas-Mastan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Lyrics: Sameer
Singers: Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Jayesh Gandhi, Alisha Chinoy, KK, Adnan Sami, Sunidhi Chauhan and Kunal Gunjawala
Number of Songs: 15
Audio: Sony Music

1) Aankhen Band Karke (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik)
The journey starts with a melodious duet ‘Aankhen Band Karke’ sung by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik. Udit sounds his usual classy self and Alka emerges as a pure melody queen. The instruments create a good impact in the background and compliment the theme of the song. Sameer writes spellbinding lyrics. The video featuring Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor attracts as well. Overall this is a smart opening of the album.
Rating: 8/10

2) Tala Tum Tala Tum (Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik and Jayesh Gandhi)
Next on the play list is “Tala Tum Tala Tum”. Sung in ordinary style by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik, the song disappoints. Jayesh Gandhi makes a brief appearance with the background raags type vocals and soothes the ears. Both the lyrics and music are well below average. This racy number is a complete letdown.
Rating: 2/10

3) Who Tassavar Ka Alam (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik)
After the damage caused in the last number, the melody resurfaces with “Who Tassavar Ka Alam” where Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik impress with their delightful vocals. The dholak, violin and guitar make a tender fusion while the lyrical arrangement by Sameer sounds good. Himesh Reshammiya presents his trademark composition. The video is being aired at the moment and features Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra in the lead. This song is potentially a chart buster number.
Rating: 8.5/10

4) Nazar Aa Raha Hai (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik)
The fourth duet in a row for Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik appears next on the album. Both do justice to their jobs and create a seductive mood through the vocals. The piano together with other instruments produces an enjoyable blend of music. The background vocals by an unknown male singer are fabulous. Sameer writes good lyrics and Himesh composes rhythmic tunes on them. Overall this song truly enthralls the listeners.
Rating: 8/10

5) Gela Gela Gela (Adnan Sami and Sunidhi Chauhan)
After getting along with the Udit-Alka combo in four consecutive songs, the listeners are now offered a change with a special catchy number, “Gela Gela Gela” rendered in high-pitched vocals by Adnan Sami and Sunidhi Chauhan. The lyrics are not extraordinarily written. Ditto for the music department. Only the singers happen to be the saving grace in this track. Other team members fail to register any impact.
Rating: 4.5/10

6) Aitraaz – Title Song (Sunidhi Chauhan)
With the title track, we get Sunidhi Chauhan going solo. She renders her singing electrifyingly. The lyrics and music are foot tapping and upbeat.
Rating: 7.5/10

7) Nazar Aa Raha Hai – Dream Lounge Mix (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik)
“The Dream Lounge Mix” is just about okay since the original holds more importance than the mix version.
Rating: 3/10

8) Aitraaz – Title Song – Second Version (Kunal Gunjawala)
This Kunal Gunjawala version is a seductive song and displays his full-pitched rendition. He makes the atmosphere utterly seductive with his vocal qualities making the song superb to hear over and over again.
Rating: 7.5/10

9) Yeh Dil Tum Pe Aa Gaya (Alisha Chinoy and KK)
The dance track “Yeh Dil Tum Pe” features Alisha Chinoy and KK doing the honors. KK delivers the goods with aplomb and Alisha does her usual sultry singing. Fast paced instruments are appealing. The lyrics and well-orchestrated music impress. The song will surely have people running to the dance floor!
Rating: 7/10

10) Who Tassavar Ka Alam – Love is Forever Mix (Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik)
“Love is Forever Mix” does not produce any value and isn’t as effective as the original, simply because the loud instruments are overbearing.
Rating: 3/10

11) Aankhen Band Karke – Close Your Eyes Mix (Udit, Alka and Jayesh Gandhi)
This version is not impressive at all because the instruments are much louder than the singers’ voices but it is Jayesh Gandhi whose background vocals attract a lot.
Rating: 3.5/10

12) Tala Tum Tala Tum – Cyclone Dance Mix (Udit, Alka and Jayesh Gandhi)
This song just comes and goes leaving nothing special for you.
Rating: 2/10

13) Gela Gela – Dance on the Beach Mix (Adnan Sami and Sunidhi Chauhan)
The second version of “ Gela Gela” does not raise any spirits like the original.
Rating: 3/10

14) Aitraaz – Title Song – Third Version (Sunidhi Chauhan)
One wonders what forced the musician to put three versions of the title track in the album since one seems enough. Although Sunidhi renders it ably like the first version, the listeners will instantly get bored with these consecutive versions.
Rating: 1.5/10

15) Yeh Dil Tum Pe Aa Gaya – Slip and Side Mix (Alisha Chinoy and KK)
The long journey finally ends up with the second version (Slip and Side Mix) of “Yeh Dil Tum Pe”. Whether or not the song is pleasant on ears but one thing is for sure that the listeners have lost their patience till now. The song is wasted due to this vivid fact.
Rating: 1.5/10

Overall:
Perhaps Himesh Reshammiya has started believe in quantity over quality. Simply placing a large number of songs on a soundtrack doesn’t mean the audience is getting something special. The quality should be consistently high too, which unfortunately isn’t the case here.
Overall Rating: 4.5/10

REVIEWED BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN