EK RISHTAA

Music: Nadeem-Shravan
Lyrics: Sameer
Producer: Suneel Darshan
Director: Suneel Darshan
Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Juhi, Karisma
Audio on: Tips

Suneel Darshan's Ek Rishta - The Bond of Love boasts a star-studded cast, including Amitabh, Rakhee, Akshay Kumar, Juhi Chawla and Karisma Kapoor, who are just a few among many. The story is basically an emotional family drama headed by Amitabh and Rakhi. After composing breathtaking tracks for his brother Dharmesh Darshan for Dhadkan, Suneel is probably expecting similar results from Nadeem-Shravan for his own production.

Nadeem-Shravan's favourite duo, (other than themselves) Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik start the album off with, 'Dil Lagaane Ki Sazaa'. The entire opening of the song, in particular the use of the bells sounds suspiciously like 'O Priya' from Daraar (the music for which is incidentally Anu Malik). Despite this, the music is quite catchy and animated even though the lyrics are far from original.

'Mohabbat Ne Mohabbat Ko' follows, with Alka Yagnik this time teamed with Udit Narayan. The lyrics aren't anything special, in fact they are typical Sameer, in that they don't' really have any depth or creativity, they are just lovey-dovey words that rhyme. The song itself is ok, Alka and Udit make a priceless team and is one of those numbers that grows on you each time you listen to it.

Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik sing 'Ek Dil Hai', a nice romantic number which is definitely one of the better songs on the soundtrack. The composition is quite typical of Nadeem-Shravan and is somewhat reminiscent of Dhadkan which had a similar style song with 'Dil Ne Ye Kahan Hai' and more recently Kasoor with 'Kitni Bechain Hoke', which just goes to show that sometimes conventions work nonetheless.

'Hum Khush Hue' features the voices of Mohammed Aziz, - who makes a much-welcomed return to the Hindi music scene - Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik and Sarika Kapoor. This is at best an average song. Sameer's lyrics express family love and happiness and also suggest that this 'khushi' is because there has been a new addition to the family. It's one of those songs where everyone seems just a little too happy and you know something bad is soon going happen. The composition is quite ordinary and even though it may grow on you, it doesn't get less cheesy.

'Dil Deewana Dhoondta Hai' is another fast-paced song with Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik at the mike. The way in which the song opens, the back-up vocals and the style in which the instruments are used, in particular the trumpets, give this track an 80's feel. It is the Kumar/Alka duo, which saves this song, as they add gusto and life into this otherwise prosaic song.

Mohammed Aziz, Anuradha Paudwal, Sarika Kapoor and Milind sing the melancholic track, 'Ek Raja Hai Ek Rani Hai'. Newcomer, Milind sounds annoyingly nasally, but fellow newcomer Sarika Kapoor has quite a delicate, child-like voice with some definite potential. The composition, again is typical Nadeem-Shravan with the conventional use of tablas and countless violins. Don't get me wrong, this isn't always bad…but you know what they say about too much of a good thing.

Alka Yagnik follows with the faster paced 'Mulaqaat'. The chorus sounds curiously like 'Teri Umeed, Tera Intezaar' from Deewana. However, Alka adds a little masti to this number, making it sound like something Madhuri Dixit might prance around to. The lyrics leave much to be desired, with the heroine singing about all her attributes and why people should have a 'mulaqaat' with her. An average composition and boring percussion accompany these mindless lyrics.

'Aur Kya Zindagani Hai' is a melancholic song sung by Mohammed Aziz. As always he gives a very convincing performance in this lament in which he sobs away. The album concludes with an instrumental version of 'Dil Lagaane Ki Sazaa'.

After boasting such an array of stars, this film holds great expectations at the box office. There is nothing really earth shattering on the soundtrack and some of the songs are recycled from past Hindi film hits and sound a little outdated. This musical duo lack the consistency and creativity of say, of A.R. Rehman or Sandeep Chowta, who always manage to amaze listeners with their fresh, experimental music. Instead we have Sameer with his monotonous lyrics and Nadeem-Shravan delivering a mediocre soundtrack with only a couple of songs worth listening to.

REVIEWED BY PUJA VEDI