Music Review: ‘Ek Tha Tiger’

Salman Khan returns with his ex, Katrina Kaif, on screen after a long time and that too as a spy. This is just about everything��one needs to build up anticipation for a movie and also��its soundtrack. Aditya Chopra with his Yash Raj Films banner presents ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ releasing in the month of Ramadan on the day of Indian Independence (15th August) is exactly what you need on a good holiday. ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ is director Kabir Khan’s third project after mildly successful terrorist thriller ‘New York’ (2009). The man who also directed ‘Kabul Express’ (2006) has delivered average music in his films so far with an odd hit and with mostly a Middle Eastern music feel. With the likes of Sajid -Wajid and Sunil Sen on the credits, the��music of ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ has some credible expectations��with it��and��also has��Salman Khan on the cover who has consistently delivered smash hit music in his last few projects.

Mashallah sets the theme for the movie and its soundtrack with its Arabic beats, composition and lyrics. Sajid-Wajid music and Wajid�۪s vocals always make a good combination on any track. Wajid is now the same to Sajid-Wajid what Shankar Mahadevan is to Shankar-Eshaan-Loy and it makes perfect��sense! Shreya Ghoshal�۪s performance is a little disappointing but, overall, the song works due to the very upbeat and engaging composition with due credit to the music duo for delivering a genuine Arabic composition. Mashallah is fun and addictive but lacks innovation and sounds like many other Arabic songs that one must have heard before. Kausar Munir�۪s lyrics are purely average as well.

Sohail Sen of ��Mere Brother Ki Dulhan�۪ (2011) fame takes over the studio from here on to start off with Laapata in KK and Palak Muchhal�۪s voice and Anvita Dutt�۪s lyrics. This sounds like a composition from the late 90s and early 2000s and is just another instance of average musical experience for the listeners. There is nothing wrong with the song except for the fact that it fails to make an impression. Laapata is an easy romantic song to jump past.

Banjaara has a much better arrangement and is more pleasing as a song to with a touch of the Middle Eastern music flavour to it. Sukhwinder Singh�۪s vocals are distinguishable and delivered with great control and character. Lyrics are��by Neelesh Misra who has some brilliant work to his name, most��recently in ��Shanghai�۪ (2012) and also ��Bodyguard�۪ (2011). They��are well versed to keep up with the upbeat tempo of Sohail Sen for this romantic number. Banjaara is a vibrant romantic song that has obvious musical inspirations in Yash Raj�۪s 2008 flop ��Tashan�۪.

Mohit Chauhan brings in possibly the best track on the album called Saiyaara. Once again an Arabic flavoured song that has supporting vocals by Taraannum Mallik is very well compiled by Sohail Sen. It is just another example of fabulous work and example of why Mohit Chauhan is by far the best male vocal in Bollywood today. The soft ambience of this songs well selected instrumentation is perfectly complemented by Chauhan�۪s vocals and is a piece of genius. You could compare Sen�۪s work on this song to that of Rahman�۪s in ��Dil Se�۪ (1998) with some clear bass beat inspirations. Kausar Munir makes a much better impression on this song with his lyrics that are well worth a nomination in every award ceremony for next year.

Instrumental Tiger�۪s Theme is a good composition by Julius Packiam who packs a good mix of intelligent beats programming mixing a number of flavours from James Bond style bond film to Arabia to even some Latino Spanish guitars. It has the excitement that you would want to hear in a Bollywood spy film.

For the second half of the album Joshilay take over to deliver 3 remixes. Mashallah (Remix) is an electro house beat mix that is perfect for the clubs giving the original a good vibe with a mix of Arabic and Ibiza house beats. This mix is quite likeable.

Laapata (Remix) is a futile attempt to revive a dull song with some sampling style electro style remix. It lacks creativity and innovation.

A house break-beat pattern dominates the Banjaara (Remix) which is a little uncommon to hear in Bollywood mixes that too with some Bassline bits added to it. The vocals have been completely redone by Jolly from Joshilay. He does a good job but once you have heard Singh’s rendition in the original, this remix��is a complete let down.

FINAL WORD

The overall work put into the soundtrack of ��Ek Tha Tiger�۪ seems half-hearted. It lacks depth in the choice of songs, music compositions and lyrics. Clear inspirations from other Yash Raj movies are evident and none of the songs are impactful enough to be a part of a Salman Khan movie. There is very little glamour and style in the music and is designed for a very short shelf life. ��Mashallah and Saiyaara are our picks from the bunch but overall the soundtrack of ��Ek Tha Tiger�۪ is not strong or memorable enough to keep up on TV and Radio plays.