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He is back! Yash Chopra, after a hiatus of eight years, is here to entertain audience again with his latest film Jab Tak Hai Jaan. By now trade pundits are already betting on how the movie as well as the music would fare. No wonder, there are ton loads of expectations here since the King of Romance is involved. It is taken for granted that if it’s a Yash Chopra film, music would be a treat to ears and just the kind which is unforgettable. Stakes have always been high where he is involved and for the last 20 years since Shah Rukh Khan is featuring in his films, right from Darr, Dil Toh Paagal Hai to Veer Zaara, stakes have only gone higher up. In 2012, it is Shah Rukh along with the music maestro A R Rahman and the King of poetry Gulzar coming together to recreate the magic.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Challa
The album begins with Rabbi Shergill’s mesmerizing Challa. It’s a Punjabi number with a guitar base to it and manages to attract the listener instantly. The song has been played across all TV channels and is definitely helping in promoting the movie. Rabbi’s voice with absorbing lyrics is what draws you towards the song, though one can’t be too sure of his vocals suiting Shah Rukh.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Saans
Next is Saans which fulfils the dreamy soft romantic track requirement as per Yash Chopra School of Music. Owner of smooth voices, Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal, do the honours in this song which has deep lyrics which would appeal only after you have given it a keen listening. Though it’s a romantic track, a little faster pace would have been helpful since it tends to get monotonous after a while. Later there is also a ‘reprise version’ which is Shreya’s solo.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Ishq Shava
Ishq Shava is a foot tapping romantic duet rendered by Raghav Mathur and Shilpa Rao. It is a soothing experimentation by the maestro and the music here does not belong to any one genre as it fluctuates from being techno to Arabian, hence turning out to be an amalgamation of sorts. One would take time to get used to the track. However, it definitely proves Shilpa Rao’s versatility. After flooring the listener with Gustaakh Dil [English Vinglish], this one is another feather in her cap.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Heer
Harshdeep Kaur croons Heer, which is the next to arrive. Musically, this track can be tagged as the best in the album. Gulzar drives you in his simple yet brilliant poetic world where his lyrics touch one’s heart. He takes you back to his Maachis days with Tabu. However it is on Yash Chopra to make people believe that Katrina Kaif or Anushka Sharma can portray the depth of the song on screen. The lethal team (A R Rahman & Gulzar) definitely scores in this one.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Jiya Re
Jiya Re changes the tempo in the album. A refreshing voice delivers the track with lot of enthusiasm and variations. Neeti Mohan’s style emulates that of Sunidhi Chauhan and if one close eyes for a minute, you can actually visualise the latter crooning this one. By the sound of it, Jiya Re appears to be a track made for Anushka as it does suit her bubbly and youthful image. Though a good attempt, it doesn’t quite carry Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye moments from Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Jab Tak Hai Jaan
Javed Ali and Shakthisree Gopalan render the title track Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Frankly, the track doesn’t seem like the one composed by the maestro. It begins with some slow rendition and then picks up in the middle. Overall, it is a little uneven in its approach.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Ishq Dance
There is also an instrumental titled Ishq Dance. It would definitely remind one of Dance of Envy from Dil To Pagal Hai. However if that was loud and came with a lot of attitude due to the film’s requirement this one is a little generic and could find its way into the dance reality shows. After listening to this, one definitely looks forward to its picturisation in the film. Hopefully the dance moves here would match the Caribbean and tap dance fusion.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: Jab Tak Hai Jaan Poem
Last but not the least arrives an intense rendition of the Jab Tak Hai Jaan poem by Shah Rukh Khan. This had accompanied the film’s trailer and honestly, at that time it did seem odd as comparisons with Amitabh Bachchan’s rendition of Kabhi Kabhi were inevitable. As expected, everything in Shah Rukh’s rendition falls short when compared to that. However, repeat hearing may just about manage to make the voice along with the restrained and understated composition to grow on the listener.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan Music Review: The Last Word
Music of Jab Tak Hai Jaan leaves the listener with diverse emotions as it appeals on some levels while also leaves some voids. Since it’s an A R Rahman album, experimentation does rule. Still, since Yash Chopra has always created something special, it turns out to be a disappointment for his fans. Moreover there is no Lata Mangeshkar who is a constant in Yash Chopra films.
Whoever loves Rahman knows that his music is like top class champagne, which tastes better with each sip. Now one just hopes that the flavour does indeed manage to find it’s admirers in weeks to come.
