Reviewed by: Anjali Abrol
dilwaliji@indolink.com

I admit, I expected a lot from Baadshah. Why? Think about it. Not to be biased, but with Numero Uno Shahrukh, one would think to make sure that his forthcoming movies had very catchy, saleable music to it (e.g. DDLJ, DTPH, Yes Boss, Dil Se, KKHH). In addition, with current competition of some really fantastic music, whether it be the heavy-duty HDDCS or Taal, or the catchier Biwi No 1 or Haseena Maan Jayegi, one would think that the music director would be sensible enough (Anu Malik and sensible? Heeheehee, that was cute) to try to make the music equally catchy and unique. On the other hand, perhaps it was thought that the music would sell just because of Shahrukh's very chehra (or the interesting Shahrukh stickers that came with the tape). Who knows? Either way, the music falls short of expectations, way short. But I want to point out two things. One, the movie itself stars the very saleable Shahrukh and the very unsaleable Twinkle (meaning Twinkle is riding big time on Shahrukh's name, as did Rani on Shahrukh [KKHH] and Aamir [Ghulam], and Sonali, Manisha, Karisma, and Urmila on Aamir's name to pick up their sagging careers. In addition, while listening to these songs, I got the feeling that this was very much a Shahrukh-Juhi movie (the same cute and sweet pairing from movies past, whether it be Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman or Yes Boss). The sweetness of Yes Boss reeked to no end, and I tried to bring myself to accept reality as I stared at the very un-Juhi-like Twinkle. Listen to the music and ask yourself...does this really sound like a Shahrukh-Twinkle type of movie or more like the sweet Shahrukh-Juhi pairing? It's almost as horrible as thinking of Twinkle in Kajol's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai!

The second point I want to make is that of something I recently experienced. On the initial run of the Biwi No. 1 music, I wrote a review that put down Biwi No. 1 music more so than uplifted it. After watching the movie, though, the songs grew on me, and I grew to like the music more (not a lot more, but a bit--watching Anil pull a Daler in Hi Hi Mirchi took away the crassness I initially wrote of). Similarly, I get the feeling that the songs are the type to grow on you as you watch the movie---once some action and footwork have done their jaadu. Hence, I am going to give this music a chance because I think that the movie will do justice to most of these songs, if not all...and I ask that you do the same!

For now, though, without the movie to save the songs....The beginning few beats of Woh Ladki Jo, sung by Abhijeet, got me a little hyped at the possibility of Anu Malik giving a fresh interesting beat to the first song of the album. I fell fast within two seconds, as the beats changed to some likely copied beat. And I thought he could possibly be trying to copy A.R. Rahman. If the song is even possibly sung by Shahrukh to Twinkle, she is anything BUT what the lyrics indicate. Oh wait, she is a ladki who is 'sabse alug'... some sort of freak creature that is a strange concoction of Dimple and Rajesh Khanna's genes (darn those bad recessive genes!). Either that, or imagine Shahrukh dancing his Yes Boss's "Mai koi aise geet gao" with every girl in sight, looking for that one freak creature. It makes the whole song a bit more comforting.... otherwise, on the first couple of listens, it isn't anything to rave about. The little hiccup-sounding background score adds diversity (and humor). A very "Chaand Taare" feel to it. *Not bad*

The second song is my favorite of the album. Imagine flashing lights and equally shiny people in the background, with Shahrukh in his Dick Tracy getup, slithering around and dancing onstage, gun in hand, close to his nose, pointing straight up (the gun sprouting a rose), looking side to side slyly, the private scheming smirk plastered on his face as he grins and does some slick 'detective' steps. And here you have it--the title track, Baadshah O Baadshah! Yep, the song is definitely better that way....Abhijeet does a good job singing and the music keeps the song fresh and upbeat. Easily the catchiest song of the film. *HIT!*

Hum To Deewane Huye, a duet by Alka Yagnik and Abhijeet, takes you back to the earlier 1990's...the background music alongside the easy singing reminds me of many of the early 90's Shahrukh/Juhi-type love songs (I can't pinpoint which one). The constant (darn those Jhankar beats!) thumping of a beat gets very irritating after awhile. As far as singing, it seems as if Abhijeet is a lil tired from his exhausting Baadshah O Baadshah song, and Alka seems to surpass his (lack of) energy. *Not bad*

Side B begins with Mohabbat Ho Gayee, laced with a couple of interesting wails by Tarzan (or Sanju Dutt from Safari), blended in nicely with Abhijeet's and Alka Yagnik's voices. Though their singing is nothing spectacular, well, nor is the song itself. I suspect, though, that this song will catch on as I listen to it more, and this goes for the whole album. *Passable*

Main To Hoon Pagal is led by Shahrukh's interesting rap (in his own voice), and Abhijeet's singing. Looks like Shahrukh jumped on the Aamir Khan Khandala bandwagon by deciding to brave the microphone and croon his own tune. Why is it either that Shahrukh is singing about being paagal (Mai tho hu paagal munda, from Army), or acts paagal (Baazigar, Darr, Anjaam)? Must be a Shahrukh thing. A feeling of Haseena Maan Jayegi washed over me when I heard this...sounded a lot like 'I Love You Bol Dal', and the beats had me imagining Shahrukh dancing in the same orange or green overalls as Sanju's and Govinda's and mimicing their side to side arm-swinging up and down, ape dance (for those who have seen HMJ, imagine it...it's pretty funny).  I did like this song, though...there's something unique and catchy to it...must be the off-beat silly song fever induced by HMJ. *Catchy!*

And to end the album with a bang is Anu Malik's song from...from....well, surely not from heaven!
"O Bebe (Baby) Don't Say Mebe (Maybe)" takes the cake for the 'Horror Song of the Year'; it's amazing that even Anu Malik would let himself do such a thing, endangering the whole of humanity...then I recall of his English pop "hit", Eyes, and realize that Anu Malik CAN do such a thing. O Baby is more like O Bachao! Anu takes a lot of songs, clips them together in a very tacky, cheap fashion, and basically makes "I Was Made For Loving You Baby' (from Jaanam Samjha Karo) seem like an innocent ghazal. Perhaps Shahrukh will make it seem more light-hearted and pass it off as a silly song, but right now, well, there's no excuse for stupid crass lyrics and pathetic singing. If anything, the music is decent. Seems much much more like a Salman song than a Shahrukh song. (Wait, maybe Salman is going to do a special appearance as the marriage reject, e.g. KKHH, Sirf Tum, and countless other movies!) *Fastforward!!!*

Though the music isn't all that, I think that the movie will be much, much better. It'll be nice to see Shahrukh in a free-spirited, light-hearted, comedic role, going about doing his thing and loving every minute of it. Not that I am tired of his serious dramatic loverboy roles (DDLJ, DTPH, KKHH)---he's one of the best, if not the best...but it's nice to have a change back to some light-hearted roles, before his loverboy style gets too stale. After all, when it comes to acting and roles, he is the King of Variety!