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Music Reviews |
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By Joginder Tuteja, February 13, 2007 - 12:55 IST
Newer ideas are resulting in different kind of films with every passing month. 'Delhii Heights' is one such film that is set in apartments in Delhi that go by the name
of 'Delhii Heights'. A light hearted entertainer about three married couples played by Jimmy Shergill-Neha Dhupia, Rohit Roy-Simone Singh & Om Puri-Kamini
Khanna along with a bunch of teenagers, DH is the directorial debut of Anand Kumar and also marks the entry of South based production house 'Sivaji Productions' into
making Hindi films.
Music of the film should be a highlight since it marks the debut of Rabbi Shergill as a composer, lyricist and singer for 'Delhii Heights'. After making waves a
couple of years back with 'Bulla Ki Jaana' a couple of years back, his songs in DH are keenly anticipated and pretty much live up to the expectations.
Opening number 'Dilli' is a superb beginning to the album as it has a Rabbi stamp to it and comes across as a true-blue rock number! Guitar plays a major role in
this track where Rabbi gives a great account of himself while rendering the track. His voice has a certain punch to it which makes 'Dilli' a number that naturally
comes on your lips once you have heard it 2-3 times.
A number that should soon be a campus favorite, at least up North, it does have a philosophical tone to it but it is of the kind that doesn't become heavy on you and instead
just makes you sway along with the music. A good theme song that has been picturised on Rabbi at number of notable locations of Delhi like Parliament House,
Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Lotus Temple, Red Fort amongst others.
The sound of 'dholki' gives a clear indication that there is a feel-good number in the offering. 30 seconds into the song and you are into a pleasant surprise as
'Tere Bin' turns out to be the same number that was heard earlier in Rabbi's namesake album 'Rabbi'. A Punjabi love song that has a terrific mix of melody and
rhythm, it is yet another Rabbi solo that is instantly catchy and has an almost healing effect on the listener. Everything from the tune to the arrangement to the lyrics to the
way song is sung is top quality here and those looking for an authentic North Indian song would certainly be pleased with what they hear in 'Tere Bin'.
From 'dholki', the mood changes to electronic guitar as Rabbi comes along with Indian Idol finalist Amit Sana to create yet another rock track 'Kabhi Aana
Na'. By this time around, one is clear that 'Delhii Heights' has dared to move away from contemporary Hindi film music and is willing to take a risk in
presenting something different. 'Kabhi Aana Na' is just the right step in that direction as it comes close to the style of songs that were heard in 'Rang De
Basanti' - Situational and yet having good appeal, especially for the youngsters!
A romantic number arrives next, and this time again with a different appeal to it, in the form of 'Kitni Der Tak'. Good combination of rhythm and melody makes
the song special yet again as Sonu Nigam shows the naughty side of the lead protagonist who wants his beloved to be up and close with him as soon as possible! A fun
song picturised on Jimmy and Neha after they have just got married, it is a sweet number that could just be sung to your Valentines this week. Rabbi deserves special
mention for creating a song that has a distinct appeal to it and stands out in the crowd of other Bollywood soundtracks.
If the film is set in Delhi and has someone like Rabbi at the helm of composing music, how could it be over without a 'bhangra' dance number? Well, the musician
doesn't disappoint as he comes up with 'Aaja Nachle' which is quite a foot tapping number in itself. Rendered by Salim Shahzada, the song takes an authentic
flavor without going for any unnecessary Western fusion mix. A fun number to hear and dance along, 'Aaja Nachle' adds on to the variety of the album.
Two singers who excel when it comes to rendering in a rustic manner, Kailash Kher and Sonu Kakkar, come together for the 'Holi' number 'Ey Gori'. Coming at
just the right time when 'Holi' is just around a month away, 'Ey Gori' maintains an ethnic flavor throughout and showcases Rabbi as a composer/lyricist who is
capable of lot more than just the 'sufi' star he has been made out to be after 'Bulla'.
'Delhii Heights' is a good album by Rabbi Shergill with a mix of Indian melody, rock, a little bit of 'sufi' and some catchy rhythm! An album like this needs to be
promoted aggressively since it has all in it to be picked up by those who look forward to a different kind of music in Hindi cinema. If the music picks up, who knows it
could well go in the direction of albums like 'Bas Ek Pal' and 'Anwar' that managed to hold on to their own through tremendous word of mouth and
emerged as dark horses eventually.
 
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