Kuch Naa Kaho   Producer: Ramesh Sippy Director: Rohan Sippy Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Satish Shah, Parth Dave, Himani Shivpuri, Suhasini Mulay, Tanaaz Curim, Jaspal Bhatti & special appearance by Arbaaz Khan Music: Shankar Ehsaan Loy Lyrics: Javed Akhtar Singers: Sadhna Sargam, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Sujata Bhattacharya, Mahalaxmi, Richa Sharma, Udit Narayan & Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramaniam Audio On: SaReGaMa    Number of Songs: 6 Album Released on: 21 June 2003 Reviewed by: M. Ali Ikram  - Rating: 5.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

There is a lot riding on the shoulders of a new director whose father helmed one of the, if not THE, most loved Hindi movies of all time; Sholay is one tough act to follow. Of course the music of Bollywood´s 1975 curry western was not the USP of that blockbuster. All connected with Kuch Naa Kaho´s soundtrack can breathe a huge sigh of relief that its average status does not spell doom for the movie´s box office prospects.

The title track, if used alone to measure the loveability ratio of the score, would signal a clear winner. I didn´t care much for the carefree whistling prelude, but Sadhna Sargam and Shaan´s romantic renditions of the "Kuch Naa Kaho" refrain, and Javed Akhtar´s romantic words are just awesome.

Be prepared to be excitedly enticed with a naughtily electronic qawaali in "Tumhe Aaj Maine Jo Dekha". The music is very infectious and Shankar Mahadevan more than makes up for the lack of practice in newcomer Sujata Bhattacharya´s voice. (By the way, it is the first time I am hearing an Alka Yagnik wannabe.)

I enjoyed the combative wordplay of Mahalaxmi and Shankar Mahadevan´s "Baat Meri Suniye To Zara", but this style of composition is all too familiar territory for Shankar Ehsaan Loy. The singers rise above the been there, done that before mood of the track to make it a moderately pleasant aural experience.

Ooohhh, the older I get, the more I adore soulful songs of longing. Maybe it is the ability to relate to both the pains and pleasures in life, because as we age, our experiences help us appreciate the polar moods of music. Richa Sharma´s delivery of Punjabi prose and Shankar Mahadevan giving his gusto with a "Kuch Naa Kaho" response makes "Kehti Hai Yeh Hawa" an excellent, unforgettable experience. It´s not the novelty which sets it apart, but the perfection of its execution.

If there is anything that can destroy the perfect mood, it is a horrible song. And Udit Narayan and Mahalaxmi´s "ABBG" does just that, courtesy some horrible words and mediocre melody. I don´t care if it is a song for and about kids; it still sucks. Javed Akhtar has failed to recreate his inane lyrics, supreme song combination since his sole success with "Hawa Hawaii" back in the eighties. He keeps trying though, and keeps failing.

Kavita Krishnamurthy-Subramaniam and Udit deliver far better results in the Rahman-styled "Achchi Lagti Ho". It is fun and mellow, but you´ve probably heard similar stuff a few years ago in "Vishwavidhaata" and "Kabhi Na Kabhi".

So overall, Rohan Sippy´s first film soundtrack is neither remarkable nor extraordinary. Nor is it one of Shankar Ehsaan Loy´s better works. (This year alone, their Ek Aur Ek Gyarah is far better.) But it doesn´t mean we should lose hope for the film. If luck and genetics kick in enough, chances always exist, next to nil though they may be, that we´ve got another Sholay on the horizon.