Bas Yun Hi   Producer: Pratap Raju, Raja Menon Director: Raja Menon Starring: Nandita Das, Purab Kohli, Rajiv Music: Rajeev-Merlin Lyrics: Subhu Singers: KK, Shaan, Mahalaxmi, Vivenne Pocha, Mehnaz, Abhay Rumbe Audio On: Sony    Number of Songs: 8 Album Released on: November 2002 Reviewed by: Avinash Ramchandani  - Rating: 5.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

Nandita Das, known for her roles in movies like Aks, Pitaah, Bawandar, and 1947-Earth, is now featuring in this commercial “masala” film. What is more surprising is that she signed a film with no big actors that too very young new comers. The cast consists of her, newcomer Purab Kohli and other newcomers. The music director, director, and lyricist are newcomers as well also:

Rajeev-Merlin, Raja Menon and Subhu, respectively. The songs are all pop-ish numbers, but are still quite catchy and sleeper hit material.

The title song, ”Bas Yun Hi”, has a popish beat that is very grabbing. The singing of

KK continues to impress, and brings a freshness to the song, which has been lacking in most of the music of 2002. As with current tradition, there is a remix of the song at the end of the album that is sung by Abhay Rumbe.

”Ek Ajnabee” is a rehash of an old R.D. Burman song and KK does a great job soulfully singing it. The music has a mix of western and classical Indian music. Subhu’s lyrics add to the soul of the song.

Shaan gets the next song, “Kaise Kahoon”, which has a Spanish influence that rules the medium-paced beats and the rhythm of the song. Shaan does a good job with the song, although the song doesn’t live up to the previous two.

The next two renditions are slow, romantic songs sung by KK and Mahalaxmi. The first being “Yeh Kaisa Pyaas”, which has a classical Indian base with addition of western music and instruments. The song treats the ears with ease. ”Jao Na” has more of a western base, and sounds a little bit like the Celine Dion favorite from Titanic, “My Heart Will Go On”.

“Ittefaq” uses too many vocal modifications from the computer. Mehnaz sings the song, but I couldn’t tell you how she sings the song because her voice is stretched, raised, lowered and computerized at all the right points. Personally, I can’t stand listening to a song that is so artificial.

”Bop Re Bop” is in all ways an instrumental track, although the credits are given to Vivenne Pocha for singing the song. I have no idea what singing she did in the song, but good job. Furthermore, the music is borrowed from Western influences… from here and there… I can’t place everything but suna hua lagta hai.

Well, for a relatively unknown music director, this album is an excellent start. Although the album is no Devdas or Saathiya (or for that case even Kaante), if the advertisement of the movie was right, or perhaps a catchy cast, these songs could do very well. However, I don’t think the current cast (even with Nandita Das) will do much to promote the songs. But, if the movie turns out to be good, the songs will more than likely be more appreciated by the audience.