Jeena Sirf Merre Liye   Producer: Vashu Bhagnani Director: Talat Jani Starring: Tushar Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Alok Nath, Himani Shivpuri, Vijayendra Ghatge Music: Nadeem-Shravan Lyrics: Sameer Singers: Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Kay Kay, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Abhijeet, Babul Supriyo, Sunidhi Chauhan and Anuradha Sriram Audio On: Puja Music    Number of Songs: 7 Album Released on: 08 September 2002 Reviewed by: Rakesh  - Rating: 4.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

It appears that truth is stranger than fiction. The music for Jeena Sirf Merre Liye proves another testament of such. Whereas the common place has cried out for something different from Nadeem-Shravan they have tried their hands at it, for some parts, and what, behold, is the outcome?! Disappointing music to say the least! Jeena Sirf Merre Liye falls far below par any of Nadeem-Shravan´s soundtracks this year, even their last mediocre offer Dil Hai Tumhaara. Not to mention that it is not on any level equivalent to the melodious and infectious music of the last Kareena-Tushar hit

Mujhe Kucch Kehnaa Hai which had a few songs for everyone courtesy of Anu Maliik.

Of course Vashu Bhagnani has his own tactics up his sleeves, but even those have as of late fallen flat in his face. No more Midas touch as three flops crowns him a loser. By launching his own music label with Jeena Sirf Merre Liye one would have hoped he had true hit music to go with it, instead he has typical promos of "Nadeem-Shravan´s timeless music" on the cover. Time-less! The less time we spend listening to it the better off we are! Bhagnani has finished Jeena Sirf Merre Liye in record time having just launched it recently. The rushed effort is visible from Nadeem-Shravan as well.

It is impossible to miss the uncanny resemblance to "Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanaam" in the title track "Jeena Sirf Merre Liye". The chorus, vocalizations are all quite similar. Babul Supriyo is also a Kumar Sanu sound alike which makes the listener cringe because we actually feel like we are going to hear "Teri Bahon Mein Mar Jaayen Hum..." any time. Of course,

Sameer´s lyrics are not a patch on Anand Bakshi´s with his usual typical lines. Alka Yagnik is the only one who tries to place any effort in the track. And Kavita Krishnamurthy has also been accredited to the song. In fact her version of it has been playing on promos everywhere. But where is she in this version of the song? Another Bhagnani trick.

Copying from other ´regional´ sources has become a highly debated topic. Nadeem-Shravan have commonly been accused of it. They have usually been forgiven because of the enjoyableness of the copies. Ttheir next, "Tu Hai Solah"

is quite unforgivable. The inspiration is blatant with little variation and this time they´ve taken it from a previous Hindi film C.I.D., "Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar." Such classics are not easily forgotten, but apparently Nadeem-Shravan are unaware of this. I wonder how singers Abhijeet and Kavita Krishnamurthy feel attempting to recreate a song under such false connotations for their vocals don´t have much feel in them either and nor does Sameer´s boring lyrics.

"Kash Tujhse Mile" is one of Sameer´s more notable pennings on the album but has a musical note too often heard containing flute portions and a drum beat heard too often as well. While romantic, the song is quite slow. Whereas Alka has done a soft job in her renditions Kay Kay is loud. Kay Kay´s voice may suite Tushar but the song is unappealing. It is also reminiscent of some of Mohammad Rafi’s old hits.

Not only are Nadeem-Shravan uninspired but it appears Bhagnani or Sameer were interested in repeating the same titles or derivations of the titles from Mujhe Kucch Kehnaa Hai. So we have been treated to “Dupatta” and “Pyar Mange”.

“Dupatta” coincidentally has been sung by Anuradha Sriram (again). This is the first time Sriram has worked with Nadeem-Shravan hence her shriekness is at almost intolerable levels. She has sung in similar altos for Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai and while the song is one of the more tolerable ones on the soundtrack, it is quite unoriginal. The Punjabi lyrics match well with the very familiar Punjabi music. It is however, a salvageable source on the soundtrack.

The pop styled music which opens up “Pyar Mange” seems like an ode to eighties techno music, but that aside falls pretty to terribly redundant lyrics and singing from Babul Supriyo and Sunidhi Chauhan. The singers themselves may not be that terrible but is this not the same tune we’ve heard them singing in “Mohabbat Dil Ka Sukoon”? The verses are nothing different. The music thus fails to gel well with the familiar renditions and fail to leave that ‘hit’ impact.

We’ve become used to the endless qawaali’s on Nadeem-Shravan’s soundtracks. “Allah, Allah” is another one. Typical musical, lyrics and all. Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam are average as well.

“Ek Bar to India” is another typically orchestrated guitar tune. They have synthesized Alka’s vocals to make it sound quite average (probably more than it was in the first place) but if anything drags this tune down it is the terrible lyrics. “Taj Mahal, India Mein, Laila Majnu, India Mein”, are lines we are endured to. Babul Supriyo’s contribution to the song is inconsequential to the turnout of the song.

For a musical duo that has repeatedly faced success this past year, some times it may seem that all they have is luck and a brand name that continuously sells. If Jeena Sirf Merre Liye is to occupy such a position that their previous albums have had then one shouldn´t complain if they hear such unentertaining music from the duo again. Don´t support this album and it will do Bollywood and all of us some good.