MUSIC REVIEW: CORPORATE (2006)

Producer: Sahara Ones Motion Pictures
Director: Madhur Bhandarkar
Cast: Bipasha Basu, Kay Kay Menon, Rajat Kapoor, Raj Babbar, Minissha Lamba, Sammir Dattani, Harsh Chahya, Lillete Dubey and Payal Rohatgi (in a guest appearance)
Music: Shamir Tandon
Lyrics: Sandeep Nath
Singers: Asha Bhonsle, Kailash Kher, Saapna Mukerji, Alisha Chinai, Gary Lawyer, Vasundhra Das, Sangeet Haldipur, Sonu Kakkar, S-Ends and Dianmonds.
Songs: 08
Album: Universal Music

Introduction:
‘Corporate’ has been well in news since the day the makers announced it. Why it is in news and getting popular before the release is due to the intelligent filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar who got huge applauds for his previous critically acclaimed flick, ‘Page 3’. The theme of his National award winner ‘Page 3’ was innovative for Bollywood since it lifted the curtain from the bitter facts of the culture what is called ‘Page 3’. This time around, the dexterous man is geared up with another novel subject to deliver it on screen. ‘Corporate’ is undoubtedly a new concept on Bollywood front and reveals the culture and the inside games happened in this business world called ‘Corporate’.

Madhur Bhandarkar’s track record has been marvelous. The expectations are very high due to the previous blockbuster hit and now he has to maintain the rhythm with this ready to serve product. From the promos, storyline, talented star cast and the confidence of the director – it looks that some fruitful results will ooze out.

The mammoth banner Sahara Ones Motion Pictures is backing Madhur once again after ‘Page 3’ to make film and from the promos it appears that the banner has invested huge amount of money to give the filmmaker a full confidence to churn out what he wants to present on screen.

The real talents have been roped in to act in this offering of Bhandarkar. From the very brilliant actress the dusky beauty Bipasha Basu to Kay Kay Menon to Rajak Kapoor, Raj Babbar to Sammir Dattani, gorgeous Minissha Lamba, Lillete Dubey to Harsh Chahya – all have been hired to show their tour de force skills on the show. The sex bombshell Payal Rohatgi is also enacting as a guest star.

The music department once again has been dolled up by the ‘Page 3’ musician – Shamir Tandon. The desk of lyrics has been handled by Sandeep Nath. Universal Music has released and marketed this album, which has eight tracks in total. Let’s have a walk with the soundtrack now.

1) Lamha Lamha Zindagi Hai (Asha Bhonsle)
The legendary singer Asha Bhonsle unbuttons the album with a philosophical number to croon. There is absolutely no need to dash off any word on how she renders it since she is already the master of the art after spending decades and decades in the industry. She really catches your souls with the magical voice she delivers. The lyrics penned by Sandeep Nath hold values and help you understand the true meaning of life as to how one should spend it? The musical score by Shamir Tandon is catchy and fits aptly well to the mood of the song. Eralier Asha Ji arrested the breaths in Madhur’s ‘Page 3’, now she nabs the listeners in her magic in ‘Corporate’. Not a song to hum it around wherever you go, but it does soothe you once you stay with it.
Rating: 8/10

2) Lamha Lamha Zindagi Hai (Asha Bhonsle) – Sad Version
The sad version entices but not much and can be heard just once.
Rating: 6/10

3) O Sikandar (Kailash Kher, Sapna Mukerji)
Follows next is a qawalli, ‘O Skinadar’ and undoubtedly the best track of the entire album. Rendered by the electrifying vocalists Kailash Kher and the soothing voice singer Sapna Mukerji, the number really shakes your blood and instantly glides on you once it starts playing. Kailash is the actual life of this qawalli whereas Sapna appears to be a well-supported vocalist as well. Both allure the soul aptly. The lyrics by Sandeep Nath are very much appealing since they carry a message for everyone to make his/her mark in the world. They shove all and sundry to rise and rule with your hard work, determination and passion. They tell that everyone has potential to win in life. Music scored by Shamir Tandon is splendid and mesmerizing altogether. The visual are running on all satellite channels featuring the sex bombshell Payal Rohatgi and Kailash Kher in the lead. Payal look so gorgeous and wobbles the body in well-executed style whereas Kailash looks apposite too. The song’s direction is first-rate and fits well on the audio. The track deserves repeated hearings and automatically comes on your tongue and you find yourself humming it around every time and in every mood. 
Rating: 9/10

4) O Sikandar (Kailash Kher, Sapna Mukerji and Rap Vocals by S-Endz and Diamond) – International Dance Mix
This song now takes place in International Dance Mix version remixed by Diamond DJ Swami. The rap vocals do not raise the spirits and this remix version goes simply waste, as it doesn’t have any potential to generate charisma.
Rating: 1.5/10

5) O Sikandar (Kailash Kher and Sonu Kakkar) – Desi Mix
This Desi Mix is somewhat appealing as it brings Sonu Kakkar along with Kailash Kher to warble the lines. Kailash is unblemished whereas Sonu looks voluble. The track goes well with the listeners and brings back the magic oozed out in the original version.
Rating: 8/10

6) Yahan Sabko Sab (Alisha Chinai and Gary Lawyer) – Easy Mix
 ‘Yahan Sabko Sab’ is the next item on this soundtrack. Sung by Alisha Chinai and Gary Lawyer, the song is fabulous and has hearing effects. Alisha trills it in her usual husky-catchy style and intoxicates the ambiance whereas Gary too follows the fellow singer and presents husky voice to catch the listener’s breath. The line ‘It’s a Corporate World’ appears at various points in the song and seems good to the ears. The number talks about and reveals the saga of corporate world as to what happens and how within this circle where every one is after the money wearing the masks, as it says in the song ‘Yahan Sabko Sab Istamaal Kar Rahaen Hain Methi Methi Churi Se Halal Kar Rahaen Hain’. The lyrics scribbled down by Sandeep Nath personify the theme accurately and the music arranged by Shamir Tandon is mellifluous. You really would like to listen it again but wait it is going to appear in another version.
Rating: 8/10

7) Yahan Sabko Sab (Alisha Chinai and Gary Lawyer) – Corporate Title
This version attracts but frankly the original is more adorable. Nonetheless you will certainly go to give it a listen.
Rating: 7/10

8) Peele Peele Do Do Ghoont (Vasundhara Das and Sangeet Haldipur)
A hip-hop number ‘Peele Peele’ concludes the album having Vasundhara Das and Sangeet Haldipur doing the honors. Vasundhara truly sends chill through the bodies like she has earlier done in ‘It’s the Time to Disco’ in ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ and Sangeet too becomes an ample support but nevertheless the song lacks and it does in lyrics and music which are mundane. An average song to finish off the soundtrack.
Rating: 5/10

Overall:
 ‘O Sikandar’, ‘Lamha Lamha’ and ‘Yahan Sabko Sab’ are the tracks, which are utterly hummable and add values to the album. The rest of the soundtrack, except some mundane numbers, too goes well to the theme of the film. The album is making good sales at the stands.
Overall Rating: 7/10 

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