Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai   Producer: Harry and Pammi Baweja Director: Hansal Mehta Starring: Prashant Chianani, Aamir Ali Malik, Vaibhav Yash Raj Vir, Tarun Anand, Deepti Daryanani, Payal Rohatgi, Punar Nava and Samita Bangargi Music: Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy Lyrics: Javed Akhtar Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Kunal, Nayan, Arnab, Shaan, Babul Supriyo, Sowmya, Mahalaxmi, K.K., Shewta, Sunidhi Chauhan, Gayatri Audio On: T-Series    Number of Songs: 8 Album Released on: 04 August 2002 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 7.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are officially the hot shots on the music front. Having been signed for the first Hollywood-Bollywood venture with a popular Bollywood star, the trio has no complaints, and the industry should not either. At the earlier stage of their career it was indeed rare to see an album with the trio’s name on it. Now, you will be surprised if you miss them. With Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai, they have been repeated with the

Dil Chahta Hai music team of Javed Akhtar and Music Company T-Series. No adamant suspires that the music is similar, but still very refreshing to the ear. Hansal Mehta realized the value of music after Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar went un-noticed. His last album Chhal featured thrilling music; Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai sets a mood of soothingness with a pinch of wackiness, which should be right since Mehta is taking inspiration from the American hit “American Pie”. At any rate, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have shown their talent in composing the right music for the right scene.

“Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai” starts off with an American influence tune but still plays off with a jazz styled synthesization. The backdrop is peppy and very youthful. As usual with S-E-L soundtracks Shankar dominates the song with his commanding vocals. The trio has also taken a stance on introducing new singers in each of their soundtracks. A tough task indeed, singers Kunal, Nayan, and Arnab do support Shankar very well and the industry could always use fresh voices. Even though portions of the song easily remind us of the title track from Dil Chahta Hai the song still blends an infusion of a great deal of different instruments. The interesting thing is that the song could quite simply pass of as an American tune barring the lyrics.

“Yaar Apne Ghar Jao” is infused with rock synthesization, which is made for teenagers. The kind of song meant to put up the volume on in one’s room, it is Shaan who shines rather than his counterparts, Shankar and Kunal. This song as well is heavily dosed with American sixties kind of music, which is evident more with the recurring guitar backdrop.

“Yeh Sama” quickly changes pace to a soft romantic backdrop, which reminds us of “So Ja Chanda” and “Socho Ke Jheelon” from Mission Kashmir. The romantic number is breezy with a light drum backdrop, flutes and as usual a lot of experimenting, which is very complimenting to Javed Akhtar’s lyrics and perfect singing from Shaan.

Sowmya sings well but fails to give her voice some identity, she sounds much like the other singers in her league and very regular at that. The song is undoubtedly one of the best of the soundtrack.

A film with four heroes is bound to have a hero based song, and like Dil Chahta Hai, the feel of “Aarzoo” seems like it will be picturized on the heroes driving down an empty road. That’s the feel the swift, upbeat guitar based percussion gives us. Babul Supriyo joins in on the fun and is excellent in his medium toned vocal contribution. Shankar is his usual self.

One would probably be astonished to see a title like “Ooh Yeah” on a soundtrack penned by Javed Akhtar as even I was taken back a few steps. Thankfully the film is a comedy and not a family drama, thus Akhtar’s work is completely justified. However, the best thing is that the great song is only laced with a backdrop of “Ooh Yeah”, which means it is the production team’s lack of creativity in titling the song as such. The finger snapping adds a feel to it, which only the music, consisting of excellent use of the piano, can compliment. For some reason only

Mahalaxmi and K.K. have been credited yet Shankar and other singer’s voice are very audible on the track. Mahalaxmi sings well and the tune itself is also very good. An instrumental follows it on the soundtrack.

Alongside the four heroes are four heroines, thus the female leads must have their song as well. “Kuch Hum Bhi Pagal Hain” is just that. A fast paced song with a chart-busting backdrop, Sunidhi holds the track with singers Gayatri and Shweta in support.

An encore of the title track closes the soundtrack.

Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai is predominantly a display of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. The music has their trademark stamp with their effective use of the guitar, synthesization and wide variety of singers. The soundtrack is quite successful in leaving an impression on the listener with its breezy and refreshing sounds, which do much more than provide songs for this feature American Pie re-make.