Kash Aap Hamare Hote   Producer: Nadira Babbar Director: Ravinder Peepat Starring: Sonu Nigam & Juhi Babbar Music: Aadesh Shrivastava Lyrics: Sameer & Praveen Bhardwaj Singers: Sonu Nigam, Anuradha Paudwal, Alka Yagnik, Sukhwinder Singh & Manmohan Singh Audio On: T-Series    Number of Songs: 9 Reviewed by: Mandeep Bahra  - Rating: 7.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review

After the debacle that was Jaani Dushman, Sonu Nigam makes another bid for movie stardom with this flick. All the hype about this being Sonu’s first solo hero film has completely over-shadowed the fact that this is also the debut of Raj Babbar’s daughter,

Juhi Babbar. Whether this fresh lead pair will be a hit remains to be seen, but Aadesh Shrivastava has certainly cooked up a good score to help them along the way. There is nothing new or innovative about this score but it is still very enjoyable. The familiarity of the compositions and the arrangements creates a comfortable atmosphere in which to enjoy some genuinely pleasant tunes.

Lyricists, Sameer and Praveen Bhardwaj, battle it out for the title track. Each has written their own mushy love song incorporating the title of the film. Sameer’s song is wonderfully sung by Sonu and Alka Yagnik. Aadesh’s music is very reminiscent of Jatin-Lalit’s style in recent years. Sameer’s lyrics are nothing special but they are a cut above his usual puerile poetry.

"Kaash Aap Hamare Hote" is certainly worth hearing more than once.

Praveen Bhardwaj’s song is also serviceable enough to warrant a rewind. "Hum Bhi Mohabbat Mein Deewane Hote" has Sonu teaming up with Anuradha Paudwal this time. The two singers make this catchy duet memorable enough so that you’ll be humming it for a while after hearing it. Sonu Nigam also sings a solo, sad version which is less appealing. So which song comes out on top? My vote goes to Praveen’s "Hum Bhi Mohabbat…", although it wins by a very small margin.

The album has a strong Punjabi influence and it is no more evident than in the funky bhangra track, "Shaawa Pardesiyo". Sukhwinder Singh joins Sonu Nigam for this energetic dance number that is sure to get everyone’s feet tapping.

The pace slows with the softer and more sedate, "Chalte Chalte". The opening bars are very similar to "Na Tum Jano Na Hum" from Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai, while the tune is a reworking of Aadesh’s "Tumse Milkar" from the album, Dil Kahin Hosh Kahin. Sonu Nigam’s impeccable singing gives more than enough reason to rewind this song.

Alka Yagnik’s solo, "Dhaani Chunariya", is adorned with attractive folk sounds and an appealing melody. Alka’s rendition is endearing and reminds one of her recent vocal escapades in "Baaga Ma Jab Mor Bole" in Talaash. However, despite all these fine ingredients, the end result is surprisingly bland.

Manmohan Singh steps up to the microphone to sing the sad Punjabi folk song, "Hai Rabba". This track is so generic that it sounds like sundry other folk songs, despite Singh’s careful rendition in this and the sad version. Why does Manmohan Singh confine himself to singing only in Ravinder Peepat’s films? Remember his great duet with Asha Bhosle,

"Jeene De Yeh Duniya" in Peepat’s Lava; or his catchy number with Lata Mangeshkar, "Mere Pyar Ki Umar Ho Itni Sanam" in Waaris?

"Woh Ladki Hai Ke Mera Hindustan Hai" has Sonu comparing the object of his affection to various beautiful landmarks around India! Interesting concept but I’m not sure it really works. The tune and Sonu’s vocals are worth a listen, though.

The final solo is in the ghazal format and has Sonu switching into ‘Jagjit Singh’ mode. Sonu does a good job and if you like

ghazals you’ll like "Tumhi Se Hui Mohabbat". The song has simple orchestration with the emphasis on the vocals.

Kaash Aap Hamare Hote is a decent enough soundtrack catering well to what is obviously a love story. Sonu Nigam and Juhi Babbar have half the race won with the music, hopefully the film will take them to the finish line.