Khoon Bhari Maang   Producer: FilmKraft Presentations Director: Rakesh Roshan Starring: Rekha, Kabir Bedi, Sonu Walia, Rakesh Roshan, Shatrughan Sinha Music: Rajesh Roshan Lyrics: Indeevar Singers: Sadhana Sargam, Asha Bhosle, Nitin Mukesh, Sonali Vajpayee Audio On: Venus    Number of Songs: 6 Reviewed by: Shahid Khan  - Rating: 8.0 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Rajesh Roshan is a talented music director, for sure. When his father, Roshan, a legendary music director, passed away, Rajesh Roshan decided to carry the torch of music in his family. After a few musical albums, Rajesh tasted success and acclaim with the soundtrack of "Julie" (1975). "Julie" became famous for having the first English song in Indian films,

"My Heart Is Beating". However, he is quite an underrated composer and that is partially his own fault. Copying English pop songs and then crediting himself for them has not done him any favors. But one area where success has always been guaranteed for him is in the films of his brother, Rakesh Roshan. "Khoon Bhari Maang" was directed by Rakesh Roshan and has a very fine collection of songs.

The theme track of this album is "Hanste Hanste Kat Jaaye Raste, Zindagi Yunhi Chalti Rahe", which has three versions. Sadhana Sargam is the ideal singer for this track as she portrays the hope and carefree abandon especially in the happy version with Sonali Vajpayee. Sonali is more the backing singer who echoes along with Sadhana. As nice as the happy version is, it is in the brief sad version that Rakesh´s talent for orchestration comes to the fore. The instrumentation creates a heady brew of unsteady feelings. Finally, in the third version, Sadhana Sargam is joined by

Nitin Mukesh. Bringing Nitin Mukesh in was an excellent idea as he brings a new dimension to the introspective song with his rustic yet supple vocals.

Don´t think that several versions of "Hanste Hanste" is all that this album has to offer as there are more prizes to be found. After the row of slow songs, it is fitting to move our way onto, "Main Haseena Gazab Ki", a rollicking track by Sadhana Sargam and Asha Bhosle. Percussion beats, cymbals and flutes bring this dance number alive. Admittedly, some of the beats does make it sound a bit dated but don´t be put off by that. Music is ageless and what might be cheesy in one decade comes back into fashion the next decade. The song definitely could have done without the chorus contributing their two pennies with something nonsensical. But the chorus does not impede on the enjoyment of the song as Asha ji and Sadhana ji pack a powerful punch with their delightful vocals. Sadhana sings about the virtues of her beauty while Asha plays the rival who says that beauty is nothing without a pure heart.

Asha Bhosle and Sadhana Sargam then split their ways for the rest of the album. Asha is just sensational in "Jeene Ke Bahaane Laakhon Hai, Jeena Tujhko Aaya Hi Naheen". The song opens with the theme riff of "Hanste Hanste" and sort of reverberates in the background throughout. The violins, xylophones and flutes create an impression of a world swirling upside down. The instrumentation gives a dreamy pop feel as if someone is looking at the world through new eyes. Indeevar´s excellent lyrics complement that theme. I would say that this is his best work in the entire album. The message in the lyrics is so positive and inspiring. It is about appreciating life even after a calamity may have happened. What wound is there that cannot be treated? Asha conveys the thought with her sweet and assuring voice. Watch out for the way she ends the song, she repeats and whispers and that makes one´s heart skip a beat.

The last song is quite controversial as it is unanimously agreed among music fans that it is not original. Listening to "Main Teri Hoon Jaanam", you will find that it is quite a blatant copy of the theme tune to the film, "Chariots of Fire". The feel of the instrumentation remains the same- it is suspenseful, triumphant and has a dizzy feeling of tension to it. I hate to say this but here the copying actually works! And you want to know why? It is all down to the great Sadhana Sargam. She seduces you with her style and confidence. Her low-key rendition of the regular "aa" that occurs as part of the main tune is soothing and indelible.

After the super hit success of this soundtrack, Rajesh Roshan has since gone onto compose for every film of his brother´s and these include

"Karan Arjun", "Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai" and "Koi Mil Gaya".