Jurm   Producer: K.P. Singh Director: Vikram Bhatt Starring: Bobby Deol, Lara Dutta, Milind Soman, Gul Panag Music: Anu Malik, Anand Raj Anand Lyrics: Rahat Indori, Dev Kohli Singers: Udit Narayan, Adnan Sami, Alka Yagnik, Shreya Ghoshal, Kay Kay, Pamela Jain, Kunal Ganjawala, Abhijeet, Gayatri Iyer Audio On: Yash Raj Music    Number of Songs: 7 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 5.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Vikram Bhatt has surely given the ‘Bhatt’ name a blow. Vikram himself has been known for his run of success, both musically and film wise, but since his separation from Vishesh Entertainment (limited or permanent, who knows), Vikram Bhatt’s success has been limited and in terms of music it’s been much worse. Obviously, during Raaz, Kasoor and further, it was the banner not the director who understood the vitality in a good catchy soundtrack. And for all practical purposes the Bhatt banner is quite aware and at the same time consistent with the theory that excellent songs are imperative in bringing in audiences, even if it is not always a one hundred percent guarantee. In his next release (running on a newly renewed marathon schedule) Jurm, he follows the trend of having typical and sometimes inane compositions ala Elaan, Footpath, et al which leaves the ‘attraction of viewers’ tactic solely reliant on the film promos itself. The music by

Anand Raj Anand and Anu Malik is typical, at times boring and certainly nothing enough to draw people in to watch the second Bobby Deol-Lara Dutta starrer (the first being last year’s Bardaasht).

The long hidden Rajesh Roshan discovery Pamela Jain makes a return in the densely promoted “Oh Sanam Oh Sanam”. Udit Narayan is the vocal support. The song is catchy for all unpractical purposes. There is nothing distinctive in this song, which is usually a problem with most of Anand Raj Anand’s romantic compositions. Jain does nothing to make the song distinctive and for the most part the track is easily forgettable. Dev Kohli is also dull in his work here.

With different lyricists (Rahat Indori and Dev Kohli) one hoped we would have at least escaped a song titled “dil”. But no such luck for this Rahat Indori penned number, “Dil Dil”. Is there no one else tired of the tried and tested

dil songs? The problem is heightened as the word is repeated twice and thrice in the song which is slow, boring and unworthy of Shreya Ghoshal’s talent. Udit too sounds dull and lifeless. From the onset, you can tell this is not Anand Raj Anand’s track, but Anu Malik’s. The popular chorus gives that away but doesn’t change the fact that the tune is a clear miss.

The other Anu Malik number “Mere Chahaton Ka Samundar To Dekho”, which is also clearly different from Anand Raj Anand’s, carries that same whistle chorus with a breezy background. Abhijeet and Alka Yagnik sound great, particularly the former (but for arguments sake, he is heard less than Narayan). Rahat Indori pens a regular number here again. The song is nice and probably the best the soundtrack has to offer. If you haven’t gotten it yet, that isn’t saying much.

Not surprisingly, the song is repeated in a duller and more boring slow version titled “Main Yahan Tu Kahan”, sung by Abhijeet. What a way to drag the only tolerable song on the soundtrack down!

Kunal Ganjawala, who is being heard more frequently, sings another one of the long titled tunes, “Aksar Yeh Hota Hai Pyar Mein”. This is probably the only upbeat, attention grabbing and feet tapping song in the entire soundtrack. There is a basic Arabic backdrop which is interlaced with a dance beat and a fast chorus. The song has a bit of everything that a dance track needs. Ganjawala is competent though he sounds uncannily like Sukhwinder Singh at times. For a soundtrack as dull as Jurm’s, a few more tracks like this would have done it some good. This one may even garner a repeat.

The dil’s aren’t over yet. Adnan Sami’s rare contribution, “Nazrein Nazrein” is filled with a chorus speaking of how crazy hearts are. Sigh. In any case, the tune by Anand Raj Anand is breezy without doing much. It’s a soft romantic number that simply suits it purpose. That being said, singer Adnan Sami seems very uninterested in the track judging by the lack of emotion in the track. Usually his husky voice would have wonders but singing is certainly one of the non-working factors in this track.

Of all recent “Rabba” tunes, the one in here, “Rabba Rabba” is probably the worst! Kay Kay and Gayatri Iyer’s item number is surprisingly boring musically and vocally, which is rare considering that both are experts in singing these kind of tunes. This one is a lost cause with its predictable music and boringly loud singing.

Bollywood’s thrillers are sometimes riveting to watch, just look at Kasoor,

Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, et al. But Bollywood thrillers with catchy, spicy and entertaining music are even better to watch. There’s nothing better than watching a thriller knowing that somewhere in between a catchy or great song is coming up as well. Jurm unfortunately does not have that factor working for it, despite having two composers and two lyricists with each. Its battle unfortunately is seemingly twice as hard.