Music Review: Kaal (2005)

Producers: Dharma Productions (Karan Johar) & Shah Rukh Khan
Director: Soham
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham, Esha Deol and Lara Dutta
Music: Salim-Sulaiman and Anand Raj Anand (Guest Composer)
Lyrics: Shabbir Ahmad, Jeanne and Anand Raj Anand (Guest Lyricist)
Singers: Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan, Richa Sharma, Ravi ‘Rags’ Khote, Caralisa, Salim, Kailash Kher, Vijay Prakash and Jeanne
Audio: Sony Music
Songs: 07

1) Tauba Tauba (Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan and Richa Sharma)
The Kaal soundtrack opens with ‘Tauba Tauba’, a song that practically screams HIT from the beginning! Sung in upbeat vocals by Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan and Richa Sharma, the track is very catchy. A rap piece, rendered by Bob and his chorus and written by Jeanne, is pretty decent too. Shabbir Ahmad impresses with lyrics and amongst the horde of instruments, dholak glides great on ears. Salim-Sulaiman spell magic with the orchestra. The visuals are packaged with the lavish sets and features Vivek Oberoi, John Abraham, Esha Deol and Lara Dutta dancing to the electrifying beats in their colorful outfits. ‘Tauba Tauba’ is a chart topper!
Rating: 9/10

2) Kaal Dhamaal (Kunal Ganjawala, Ravi ‘Rags’ Khote, Caralisa and Salim)
A pacy number, ‘Kaal Dhamaal’ features Kunal Ganjawala, who always delivers the goods with his high-pitched and expressive vocals. Ravi ‘Rag’ Khote, Caralisa and Salim provide quality support too. Lyrics are impressive and the music leaves you mesmerised. The song has been picturised on King Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) and sex goddess Malaika Arora. Both look stunning. Overall, the track holds mass appeal.
Rating: 8.5/10

3) Kaal Dhamaal-The Tiger Mix (Kunal Ganjawala, Ravi ‘Rags’ Khote, Caralisa and Salim)
‘Kaal Dhamaal’ appears again but now with the ‘Tiger Mix’. This track is engineered and remixed by Bobby Friction and The Infinite Scale but sadly the soul-enticing effects from the original version is lost this time around due to the repetition, although the remix portion is attractive.
Rating: 4/10

4) Nassa Nassa (Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan)
The journey continues with ‘Nassa Nassa’, which is a mixture of Hindi, Western and bhangra tunes. Rendered in classically delivered vocals by the duo of Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan, the song is engrossing. The Punjabi words ‘Main Nassa Nassa’ sung by the vocalists inject life in the number. Written and composed by Anand Raj Anand, ‘Nassa Nassa’ is spellbinding in all aspects.
Rating: 8.5/10

5) Ankhiyan Teriya Ve (Kailash Kher)
A blend of Western and Sufi music welcomes you with ‘Ankhiyan Teriya Ve’. Kailash Kher, who always takes inspiration from the late legendary musician-singer and master of Sufi music Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Sahib, writes and sings this track. He enthralls with both the assignments. The background chorus is icy to hear and the music by Salim-Sulaiman is a treat to enjoy too.
Rating: 8.5/10

6) Jungle Mix (Caralisa, Vijay Prakash and Jeanne)
‘Jungle Mix’ is laced with the masterly done renditions by Caralisa, Vijay Prakash and Jeanne. The song has a true wild jungle feel and piques much on all accounts.
Rating: 8/10

7) Dharma Mix
The album concludes with a springy remix of the super hit songs from Dharma Productions movies such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho. This is quite a unique effort done in Hindi music and should please fans of Dharma Productions.
Rating: 9/10

Overall:
Karan Johar has come up with a unique and catchy soundtrack for ‘Kaal’. Undoubtedly this moves away from the typical Dharma style soundtrack and offers something new. Full marks to everyone involved for churning out an exhilarating album, which should become one of the year's best sellers.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10

REVIEWED BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN (Bollywood Analyst)