Zeher   Producer: Mukesh Bhatt Director: Mohit Suri Starring: Emran Hashmi, Shamita Shetty, Udita Goswami Music: Roopkumar Rathod re-created by Anu Malik, Mithun S Lyrics: Sayeed Quadri, Shakeel Azmi Singers: Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghoshal, K.K., Atif Audio On: Saregama    Number of Songs: 7 Album Released on: February 2005 Reviewed by: Rakesh Budhu  - Rating: 7.5 / 10   Let us know what you think about this review Movie Review

Even though “Zeher” has been rushed to cinema halls, the Bhatt’s have ensured that you won’t mistakenly assume the film doesn’t have a soundtrack. After all, good soundtracks are always easier to remember. Roopkumar Rathod’s music for Zeher is in general in tune with the Bhatt’s usual compositions and the feel good theme their music always has. But this time, for some odd reason, Anu Malik has been chosen to re-create several of the tunes. The outcome is good though one doesn’t really know what the originals were in the first place. Nevertheless, Zeher is a good soundtrack for this Emran Hashmi-Shamity Shetty-Udita Goswami starrer.

Melody is oozing out of “Agar Tum Milao Jao”, sung by Udit Narayan and Shreya Ghoshal in separate versions. The music is ear friendly and relatively light on the ears but it is still catchy and at parts addictive particularly with its piano intervals. Ghoshal’s version is refreshing given her exclusion from recent albums, but it certainly isn’t her best. Udit Narayan’s version reminds us of several tunes from Saaya but that is certainly what works in its favor making his the better pick and lyricist Sayeed Quadri also excels as usual. Udit Narayan’s solo version, pretty much unchanged, also closes off the soundtrack taking the line “Zamaana Chod Denge Hum” as its title.

Udit and Shreya team up in “Jaane Ja”, somewhat of a throw back to nineties tunes inflexed with a semi-fresh tune. Udit is fine as is Shreya and both are instrumental in keeping the song consistently entertaining. Unlike the former, Shakeel Azmi has penned this number but his lyrics are more on the regular side.

Kay Kay brings it up a notch in “Aye Bekhabar”, a song that mixes jazz, the tabla and an excellent chorus all in one. Kay Kay is superlative as is the composition which actually sounds more like Roopkumar Rathod than Anu Malik. The tune is one of the best on the entire album and ends off with a dramatic very ear pleasing piece. It’s here that lyricist Shakeel Azmi shows his true talent rather than “Jaane Ja”.

“Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein” has the typical “Enigma” backdrop and a ghazal feel to it. The song is sung by newcomer Atif who is not bad though clearly is fresh to the industry his voice seems like it is the kind to grow on you. This tune is re-created by Mithun and Naresh Sharma and stands out particularly because of its lyrics. Later towards the end a remix appears and is filled with several tunes courtesy of Hycinth D’Souza and DJ Suketu who has lent his vocals to the song.

Zeher is simply another feather in the Bhatt’s cap. They know how to be consistent with their soundtracks so that a regular fan of Indian music can pick up their soundtracks without fearing that the music may be anything less than enjoyable. Zeher’s music is just that-- enjoyable, melodious and everything one would expect from the Bhatt camp.