Mujhse Dosti Karoge   Producer: Yash Chopra Director: Kunal Kohli Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherji, Kareena Kapoor, Uday Chopra, Satish Shah, Kiran Kumar, Sachin Khedekar, Smita Jayakar and Himani Shivpuri Music: Rahul Sharma Lyrics: Late Anand Bakshi Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Udit Narayan, Alisha Chinoy, Sonun Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Asha Bhosle, Pamela Chopra Audio On: RPG- Saregama    Number of Songs: 8 Album Released on: 26 June 2002 Reviewed by: Manish Dhamija  - Rating: 6.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

I have always felt that listening to a Yash Chopra film soundtrack without necessarily knowing anything about the film was always an enjoyable experience. His films always boast of excellent music, and very rarely has Mr. Chopra failed to please. You can almost listen to a song and know it is from one of his films without necessarily having heard it before. His latest venture, Mujhse Dosti Karoge, is directed by newcomer Kunal Kohli, who has the fortunate opportunity of working with today’s most talented lot like Hrithik Roshan, Rani Mukherjee, and Kareena Kapoor. The music has also been given by a newcomer, Rahul Sharma, who unfortunately has to meet the standards set by past Yash Chopra favorites like Shiv-Hari, Jatin-Lalit, and Uttam Singh. So, does he meet or exceed expectations? Well, that’s for you to decide! But, all in all, the music is catchy at times, but disappointing at others.

The first track is carried by Udit Narayan and Lata Mangeshkar. Entitled “Andekhi Anjaani”, it is a disappointing start if you keep other gems in mind like “Jaadu Teri Nazar”, “Humko Humise Churalo”, “Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein”, and “Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam”. Nonetheless, it is enjoyable and one can not deny the powerful presence of Udit Narayan. Unfortunately, Lata Mangeshkar does not sound as pleasing to the ears as she once did. With all due respect, a woman of her age still goes strong; however, her age is reflected in her voice.

The second track seemed much more enjoyable to me than the first. Sung by Sonu Nigam and Lata Mangeshkar, the song is called “Jaane Dil Mein”. Sonu Nigam always has and always will be one of my favorite singers. So, maybe my bias shows, but he sounds great. It is nice to see him accompanied by a woman so much his senior. Lata Mangeshkar does a nice job, and the two singers do recreate the magic they showed in “Khamoshiyaan Gungunane Lagi” from One Two Ka Four.

The next track is most likely a showcase for Hrithik Roshan and his millions of fans. “Saanwali Si Ek Ladki” is a song carried completely on Udit Narayan’s shoulders. The track is no “Ek Pal Ka Jeena”, but I do not think it is even supposed to be in the same genre of music. It is a nice, simple track that I’m sure will look great onscreen.

What Alisha Chinai is doing in the next track, I have no idea! A truly talented singer is untortunately wasted in “Aaj Ke Ladke”. Given that her voice is so rare in Hindi films, you would think that a woman who usually sticks to pop music would be much more selective in the songs she chooses. The song is of the typical Hindi film fare in which a woman is complaining about today’s men. The lyrics are below average and it is sad to see such a legendary lyricist using English phrases so unnecessarily in a predominantly Hindi song. Nevertheless, Alisha does sound great. Sonu Nigam accompanies and tries his best to save the song from complete stupidity.

Next is the title track, sung by Asha Bhosle, Alka Yagnik, and Udit Narayan. I anticipated a catchier tune, but perhaps the song is one of those which is much more enjoyable to watch onscreen and will grow on you in the future. The music is nothing special, and neither is the song. It completely lacks the immediate appeal of earlier Yashraj title songs like “Dil To Pagal Hai”. On the more positive note, it is always a pleasure to hear Asha Bhonsle’s voice. Udit Narayan as well does a fine job. Alka Yagnik’s voice is somewhat wasted as she barely is heard throughout the song and is undoubtedly overshadowed by Asha Bhosle.

The sixth song is a slower version of “Jaane Dil Mein”. Not much can be said about this track except that the original is undoubtedly better. The seventh track is an instrumental piece called “Terrific Tina”. Who is Tina? If you guessed Kareena Kapoor, you are completely right. The music piece is nothing special. In fact, the track has a chorus in the background that almost sounds as if it is addressing Kareena Kapoor’s “Poo” character from Kabhi Khushi Khabhie Gham.

And so the album ends with a medley sung by Udit Narayan, Sonu Nigam, Lata Mangeshkar, and Pamela Chopra, who is incidentally Yash Chopra’s wife. Medley’s are always difficult to comment on. The original songs are always better. And then, one always wonder’s why they are even necessary in films? The medley includes songs like “Jhoot Bole Kauva Kaate”, “Le Jayenge Le Jayenge”, “Yeh Gaaliyaan Yeh Chaubara”, “Na Maange Sona Chaandi”, “Bachna Ae Haseeno”, “Aap Yahan Aae Kis Liye”, “Main Nikla Gadi Leke”, etc. The nice thing about this medley is that it is sung very well and the original lyrics have not been changed to sabotage the original versions.

The medley marks the end of the album. In the end, one can not help but to feel that they have been cheated using Yash Chopra standards as a gauge. Yet, keeping in mind that this film mark’s the debut of Rahul Sharma, and that this is probably Anand Bakshi’s last contribution to a Yashraj film, the album is decent. The singing for the most part is well done, the music is enjoyable, and the lyrics are not atrocious. For hardcore Yash Chopra fans, or even Hrithik Roshan fans, I’m sure you will find this album a must buy.