Contributed by Mohammad Ali Ikram
ali@indolink.com

Anu Malik's newest offering starts off with a musical interlude that is unmistakeably remniscent of Raj Kapoor's classic theme to Mera Naam Joker. This riff is repeatedly used in the soundtrack to Hameshaa and it contributes much elegance to the album. Besides the 'inspiration' from the past, Malik properly benefits from the string instruments in his orchestra to come up with a largely opulent and relaxing score.

"Hameshaa Hameshaa", obviously the title song, is sung very effectively by both Sadhana Sargam (back in form after Mrityu Dand) and the of-late uninspired Kumar Sanu. Is it just me or is Sanu finally putting some effort back into his vocals again? Nice song, but the best is yet to come.

"Neela Dupatta Peela Suit" is a fast-forward worthy, rock and roll song that is out-of-place in this album. Dev Kohli gave insipid, yet immensely fun and entertaining lyrics in the recent Judwaa; the wordplay in this song is just plain dumb. The song might be redeemed by a great video, but even Abhijeet and Sadhna Sargam are unable to rise above the uninspiring music.

"Ae Dil Hamein Itna Bata" and "Aisa Milan Kal Ho Na Ho" are both above-average duets that have the ability to relax and even soothe the listener. While the former has amazing vocals by Udit Narayan and Sadhna Sargam, Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu are just as effective in the latter. (Note that the cassette cover improperly credits Abhijeet for the second song.) And before you praise the main vocalists, you realize that the violins and chorus singers also perfectly complement the softness of the songs.

"Dil Tujpeh Fida" scares you by starting with what sounds like the sixties Batman TV show theme near the beginning of the song. Thankfully, it is a fleeting moment and the "Pa-da-pa-da..." chorus quickly melts into the background as Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu question the feelings one experiences in love.

Abhijeet commendably sings "Marke Bhi Laut Aayenge", a song about the reincarnation theme of Hameshaa. But once the music got going, I concluded this song would be more apt for a suspense/private eye film. Very jazzy, we've heard this music before. Now what, when and where was it...

Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun get together after a really long time to sing the folksy "Rangtadi Rangtadi". Now don't worry because there is nothing vulgar in this song like the Arun-Yagnik grunting efforts in 1993/1994. The song is one of the best in the album, and Alka has never sounded better. (Malik, as usual, uses the background vocalists and Ila Arun to enhance the mood of the song.)

The "Beyond Eternity Theme from Hameshaa" is an instrumental composition not provided by Malik, but a new musical duo, Salim-Sulaiman. The novices were obviously inspired from other sources, but to give them credit, it is a pleasing sound that should be of benefit in the background of the film's scenes.

Hameshaa is not a pathbreaking music score like Malik's earlier Border, but after listening to it, you might become anxious for the film's release.

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