Music Review: Deewar
Producer: Gaurang Doshi
Director: Milan Luthria
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Akshay Khanna and Amrita Rao
Music: Aadesh Shrivastava
Lyrics: Nusrat Badr
Audio: T-Series

There was plenty of hype surrounding the launch of Deewar a while back. The big budget and ambitious project is nearly ready for release now, so judgement day is near for producer Gaurang Doshi. In the meantime, Aadesh Shrivastava's soundtrack has hit the market and Radio Sargam's Goher Iqbal Punn gives his views! T-Series releases the soundtrack that features eight songs for the listeners.

1) Marhabba Marhabba (Sonu Nigam and Xenia Ali)
The album opens with the Arabic style number "Marhabba Marhabba" sung by Sonu Nigam and Xenia Ali. Sonu is superb in providing an Arabic feel to his voice. Its surprisingly difficult to recognise his vocals! Xenia Ali also croons her part boisterously in between the edgeways. Nusrat Badr writes good lyrics, which impress much if judged with the song's mood. Aadesh's electrifying composition appeals too. The visuals featuring Sanjay Dutt and Ukrainian belly dancers (who have been hired to add an erotic touch to the video) look good. Overall this song has the potential to register an impact on the charts…
Rating: 7/10

2) Marhabba Marhabba…Remix Version
The remix version of the same track follows next having no attraction at all. Laced with too much instrumental noise, the vocals become inaudible. Random rap pieces have no appeal either. A space-filler number, it turns out to be as a disappointing effort by the composer.
Rating: 1.5/10

3) Chailye Ve Chailye…Vande Mataram (Udit Narayan and Roop Kumar Rathod)
The duo of Udit Narayan and Roop Kumar Rathod pockets a patriotic song "Chailye Ve Chailye…Vande Mataram". Depicting their geniuses, both present melodic variations in their vocals. The background chorus seems okay too and the dholak sounds most pleasant amongst the instruments. The patriotic lyrics display the true understanding of the lyricist and the music makes its mark as well. The video focusing on Big B (Amitabh Bachchan) is good to watch too!
Rating: 7.5/10

4) Todenge Deewar Hum (Udit Narayan and Muhul Agarwal)
Another patriotic song follows next, mainly sung in a chorus but Udit and Muhul appear to provide some support, which grows on the ears easily. But the chorus is simply avoidable. The number revolves around the subject of captured soldiers who cry for rebellion to break all the walls so as to return to their motherland. Truly a situational song, it has no lyrical and musical value.
Rating: 2/10

5) Kara Kaga (Alka Yagnik)
"Kara Kaga" is next in the album. The song is about the separation and longing to meet the beloved one. It has melodious rhythm and is sung ably by Alka Yagnik, who manages the feel of the song pretty well. The tabla makes a sweet fusion with other soft-sounded instruments to catch your attention. Badr's lyrics personify the mood accurately. Musical score by Aadesh Shrivastava is quality. This love song makes repeated hearings.
Rating: 7.5/10

6) Piya Bawari (Alka Yagnik)
Once again the listeners can hear the vocals of Alka Yagnik, although this time around she makes her appearance with a semi-classical song, "Piya Bawari". This is the best track from the soundtrack. Kailash Khair's ragas in the background provide a distinctive feature of the song. The perfect blend of tabla and jhankaar creates magic. Brilliantly written lyrics along with the gorgeous music attract a lot. A soothing semi-classical track, it will definitely hit the success track as well.
Rating: 8/10

7) Piya Bawari (Instrumental)
The instrumental of "Piya Bawari" continues the soothing journey with the creatively composed instruments such as flute and tabla, which undoubtedly sound pleasant.
Rating: 7/10

8) Ali Ali (Krishna)
A qawwali "Ali Ali" ends up the album. A track mainly for selective ears (for the ones who like Sufi music), it has Krishna singing it in pure traditional style of qawwali. Krishna's vocals, there is absolutely no denying in saying, are sharp but the truth is that he tries to imitate legendary (Late) Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's style of singing. Background chorus also leaves an impression. Superbly written lyrics go well with the song and the musical composition truly fits in qawwali stuff. A female croons "Allah Allah Haq Allah" in the background in an impressive style. The song can last long but only with qawwali lovers.
Rating: 6/10

Overall:
Aadesh Shrivastava creatively generates different moods in one album for which he deserves distinction marks. But he also has to understand it, this soundtrack wrapped in some patriotic and qawwali stuff doesn't have the necessary oomph for a long life in the music charts.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

REVIEWED BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN