Khel (New)   Producer: Popcorn Motion Pictures and Galaxy Entertainment Director: Yusuf Khan Starring: Sunil Shetty, Sunny Deol, Ajay Jadeja, (introducing), Celina Jaitley (introducing), Supriya Karnik, Suhasini Mulay, Gulshan Grover, Vijay Raaz Music: Dudes Music Company Lyrics: Parveen Bhardwaj, Baboo Mann, Faaiz Anwar, Salim B Singers: Kumar Sanu, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan, Baboo Mann, Sukhwinder Singh, Rahul B. Seth, S. Shaileja, K. Shailendra Audio On: Times Music    Number of Songs: 9 Album Released on: August 2003 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 7.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Sunny Deol and Sunil Shetty in another film, yes, another action entertainer as well. Not much to expect from the music of

Khel, right? Given that they are not playing romantic roles in the film, one would have probably expected less from the music. On the contrary, Sunil Shetty’s home production Khel gives the two veteran actors different roles for once. No, they won’t be seeing the “jaado sas”, or “pyar hones”, in this film. Rather, as an innovative twist, they have enlisted in cricketer Ajay Jadeja to support newcomer Celina Jaitely

(Janasheen, which may most likely release after Khel). So, if that doesn’t garner your attention, here is the surprise, the music does. Daboo Malik, who is usually used for T-Series soundtracks, has, after several well-known numbers and the melodious Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar, given a melodiously romantic hit soundtrack. Unfortunately, the credits are replaced with Dude’s Music Company, so he may not be as lucky as to get the popularity.

Predominantly filled with romance numbers, here are songs with a difference. Emphasis has been placed on music, orchestration is elementized and the outcome is very attractive and worthy of one’s attention.

“Kiya Hai Jaado”, sung by Shaan, S. Shaileja, K. Shailendra, is interluded with an enigma type beat but filled with lusciousness with the chorus of the main line “Kya Yehi Pyar Hai”. Though that portion does remind us of the same chorus from “Dil Ki Nazar”, from

Kya Yehi Pyar Hai, it is easily forgotten. Singers S. Shaileja and K. Shailendra are excellent in their refreshing renditions different from the many voices we hear in and out. Shaan comes in to give us a treat of us soft sensuous vocals and the song clearly becomes a winner. Salim Bijnori penned the lyrics.

Baboo Mann has come into to do a guest composition (as well as writing for the song).  “Sharratta” is obviously going to be the most talked about song when Sunny Deol is featured in the film. The song is typical Punjabi, upbeat and catchy laced with a catchy beat. Sung by the composer himself as well as

Sukhwinder Singh and Rahul B. Seth (who probably has sung the English intervals asking “I don’t know what is this Sharratta?”), the song has the ability to be popular.

“Chori Chori” is the pop-laden number aimed at youth filled with a club like chorus. Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan are their typical listenable selves as the song is passable. Lyrics by Salim Bijnori again are okay but not refreshing given “chori chori” is just a commonly used title. An instrumental version of this song appears at the end of the album.

Daboo Malik has shown excellent ability to utilize the piano in his compositions in songs like “Khoye Khoye Din Hain” (Hum Tumhare Hai Sanam) and with several songs in Yeh Zindagi Ki Safar. That he does further in “Tumko Hai Kitna Pyar” with Sonu Nigam’s vocals carrying the song off. Sonu hasn’t sung any truly memorable songs lately and though this one does of course pale to the “Saathiyas”, he has done a good job. Sunidhi gives in a limited performance later on in the track and does well without overdoing it making the song a workable listen.

“Pyar Hone Laga Hai” (oddly enough, the title of the song opener in this album as well as Celina Jaitely’s other film Janasheen), is sung by Kumar Sanu and Kavita Krishnamurthy. It is worth asking when the last time we heard either of them. Given the long time since we have, the songs leave more of an impression as it is. Laced and composed with a variety of unique compositions, filled with flute use and good music, the song is a romantic winner. Lyricist Faaiz Anwar is simply okay in his rendition of romance. Different and much shorter versions of the song end off the soundtrack in ‘Moment of Love’ (Kumar Sanu) and ‘Moment of Passion’ (S. Shailendra). Nothing different about either versions, but it becomes more apparent in Moments of Passion that S. Shailendra seems to come off as lesser version of Shreya Ghosal.

With romance songs taking the forte, it’s a commendable job when you don’t make the songs boring, heard before or filled with jhankaar beats as usual. The music for Popcorn Entertainment’s Khel has managed to do just that. While the lyrics are not the highlight of this album, the songs are and are good listens. Newcomer actress Celina Jaitely has gotten lucky with two pretty good soundtracks for her upcoming first films. Let’s hope she has the acting part down packed.