Ishq Vishk   Producer: Kumar S. Taurani & Ramesh S. Taurani Director: Ken Ghosh Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Shenaz Treasurywalla. Music: Anu Malik Lyrics: Sameer Singers: Alisha Chinai, Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Priya & Prachi Audio On: Tips    Number of Songs: 10 Reviewed by: Mandeep Bahra  - Rating: 4.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Either this soundtrack was created pre 1995 or Alisha Chinai and Anu Malik have kissed and made up (for want of a better term). The diva who vowed she would never work with Malik again features in four of the ten tracks on this album. Ironic that two of the four Alisha numbers happen to be the best songs on the soundtrack.

The opening track, "Chot Dil Pe Lagi", is a frothy and fun love song with a catchy tune and okay lyrics. Alisha and Kumar Sanu sing well, enhancing the number further. Alisha’s vocals are refreshing in a song like this where she isn’t required to churn out her usual pop nonsense. In fact, Alisha’s songs recently have been quite noteworthy (e.g. Bollywood Hollywood, Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai, etc.), where she has displayed real skill.

The other good track is "Kaun Hai Woh", which has Alisha teaming up with

Udit Narayan. Once again it is good singing and ear friendly music rather than lyrics that make this song worth repeating.

The album then gets quite dull with the likes of "Mujhpe Har Haseena", which features Alisha, Sonu Nigam and Kumar Sanu. This song sounds very dated from the composition to the arrangements, and Sameer’s lyrics are dire! It’s a shame because the combined talent of the three singers could have been used more productively.

Alka Yagnik sings the slow ditty, "Aisa Kyon Hota Hai", which describes the emotions experienced while falling in love for the first time. The song is pleasant enough but there is nothing really striking about the song. This number sounds like sundry other songs in this genre. The sad version,

"Mujhse Huee Bas Yeh", is no more appealing.

The duet, "Aankhon Ne Tumhari", is so generic that it’ll be hard to distinguish it from the crowd of other such numbers. The tune is forgettable and the singing is very average. Skip it!

Could things get any worse? Well, when Sonu Nigam appoints himself as the ‘love guru’(!) in "Love Love Tum Karo", it’s probably time to admit that this album has hit rock bottom. New singers, Priya and Prachi really don’t help much.

Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik’s, "Dooba Re Dooba" is Anu Malik’s attempt at a ‘crowd pleaser’. Unfortunately, despite the enthusiastic singing, there’ll be no pleasing anyone with this most average of songs.

The title track, "Ishq Vishk Pyaar Vyaar", is somewhat better. The presence of a tune worth humming, decent lyrics and good arrangements make this song worth listening to. However, while Kumar Sanu delivers the goods, Alka Yagnik gives us an eardrum-piercing rendition that will make you rush for the volume control.

The album finale, credited as "Theme Piece", has Alisha Chinai and Sonu Nigam mouthing inanities such as, "I believe in love, love. Ishq vishk pyaar vyaar…" Thank heavens the track is only a minute and a half long!

Ishq Vishk is music video director, Ken Ghosh’s first feature film and hopefully, the film will be good enough to survive the poor soundtrack. If this album is promoted on the strength of "Chot Dil Pe Lagi" and "Kaun Hai Woh", it might just manage to sell.