Contributed by Mandeep Bahra
mandeep@indolink.com

Fans of MAACHIS may feel a little let down by BETAABI, music director Vishal's second venture. However, in MAACHIS Vishal had Gulzar and here he has Sameer. Once you realise this BETAABI isn't too bad. In fact there are some quite outstanding numbers! One of these is 'Tum Mere Ho' which has two versions, one is by the criminally under-used Suresh Wadkar and the other is by Lata Mangeshkar. Both versions are equally appealing and the music is devine, although very Rahmanesque.

You'll just swoon to the sensuous and seductive sounds of 'Tumhari Khushboo'. Vishal has written the lyrics to this one himself, and what a hot number it is! Asha Bhosle and Suresh Wadkar's vocals ensure that this number is a real scorcher!

After giving us the eloquent 'Tum Mere Ho' Sameer then gives us 'Don't Take A Panga Mere Saath'(oh please!!!) Kavita Krishnamurthy is efficient as ever but that doesn't help much. The song may be okay when viewed in the context of the film, but on the album it just sounds crass!

Hariharan sounds really out of place in the misguided techno romp 'Hai Hai'. Again, the song is probably too 'situational' to appreciate without the visuals.

'Jhoothi Moothi' is an unusual number where the tempo changes from fast to slow to fast... quite haphazardly. The vocalists (Suresh Wadkar, Devki Pandit & K.Kay) make it interesting, though.

'Gungunati Hui' by Suresh Wadkar and Kumar Sanu is just plain dull! Nothing about the composition, lyrics or singing stands out and so its very difficult to comment on it.

BETAABI is worth a listen, but don't expect another MAACHIS!

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