See Ali Ikram's 2.5 star rating of Hero No. 1

See Ramesh Kainthla's 1.5 star rating of Hero No. 1

Contributed by Ali Ikram
94ikramm@scar.utoronto.ca

Let me start off by saying that this is definitely not an album for everyone. If you are into intelligent and meaningful lyrics, then be forewarned that you should not buy or even listen to this album. On the other hand, if you like great, foot-tapping and catchy music set to often amusing, often stupid lyrics, then this album is a must buy. Personally, I feel that a film's songs should be created keeping 'in tune with the tone' of the film. David Dhawan's films are almost always comedies, and Anand Milind have always done a great job in supplying him suitable music for his films.

Not everyone likes the music for Aankhen, Loafer, Coolie No.1, Yaraana and Judwaa (or even the films), but just in case you did, you'll love Hero No.1 also. Both Anu Malik and Anand-Milind have a knack for giving fun music for Mr. Dhawan's pictures. (Credit should also be given to Sameer who provides the lyrics most of the time, as in the case with Hero No. 1.)

This album starts off with the amazing "Sona Kitna Sona Hai". Puerile and senseless some might call it, but I say, I don't know about gold but "Yeh Gaana Bahaut Sona Hai". The tune is catchy, funky and tons of fun with Poornima providing great vocals to the tune. (Udit provides support near the end.)

"Saathon Janam Tujh Ko Paake Gori", "Main Tujhko Bhaga Laya" and "UP Wala Thumka" are also great tunes that are fairly remniscent of Dhawan's earlier films.

However, the other song I really flipped out over was "...Kiya Pom Pom Ka Ishara, Main To Badnaam Hua Re". It may sound a bit vulgar, but wow is it ever catchy. (Poornima strikes again.)

Overall as I said I loved the album, but because I know it is not for everyone (especially black and white film lovers), I will objectively give it a rating of two and a half stars. I will also say that everybody should give this music a try at least once in their life. Who knows even the 'elite' music lovers will learn to appreciate the music and lyrics of the extremely under-appreciated Anand-Milind/David Dhawan combination.

Contributed by Ramesh Kainthla
kainthla@indolink.com

The hit team of Govinda, Krishma Kapoor, and David Dhavan ("Raja Babu", Coolie No. 1 and "Saajan Chale Sasural) is back with another comedy.

As the music for the first song starts, one gets the feeling that "Ankhiyan milaoon" from "Raja" is starting. But then Poornima comes in with "Sona kitna sona hai...... tu mera Hero No. 1". The song is very nicely song by her (Udit Narayan comes towards the end to wrap it up with "Main tera Hero No. 1). Judging from the success of "Raja" song, and "Pyar karna mushkil hai" from "Agni Sakshi" (both Nadeem Shravan movies), it is no wonder this song has already climbed into Top 10.

The second song "Saaton janam tujhko paate, gori tere nainon mein hum bas jaate" is another modified version, sung well by Kumar Sanu. The music between the paragraphs is the same as in "Mere angane mein" sung by Amitabh in "Lawaris" (Music Kalyan Ji Anand Ji). The song has four paragraphs, and all of them have the same lines except for three words in those lines. One of the paragraphs is "Jo tu hoti "Jaya Bhaduri", hum bhi to "Lambu" hote, gori tere nainon mein hum bas jaate". The other three paragraphs have Jaya Bhaduri replaced by Hema Malini, Dimple Kapadia and Saira Banu and "Lambu" replaced by their respective hubbies. The wordings remind of a Asha Bhosle song "Jo main hoti raja bela chamelia, lipat rehati raja tore bangale par". The song is bound to be a hit with the masses in India.

The third song "Tum humpe marte ho, hum tumpe marte hai" is a typical Anand Milind song sung by Vinod Rathod, Sadhna Sargam and chorus.

The last song on side A, "Mohabbat ki nahin jaati, mohabbat ho jati hai mere yaar" is sung by Udit Narayan and Sadhna Sargam. It sounds like a remix of 60's Shankar Jaikishan tune.

First song on side B is another silly duet "Main tujhko bhaga laya hoon tere ghar se, tere baap ke dar se", with absurd wordings, sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik in their usual "Govinda-Karishma" style.

The second song "Maine paidal se jaa raha tha" sung by Vinod Rathod and Poornima is a modified version of "Main to raste se jaa raha tha" sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik in 1995 hit "Coolie No. 1". It is sung in "Hydrabadi" style, made famous by Mahmood in 60 and 70s.

The final number "U.P. wala thumka lagaoon ke Hero jaise naach ke dikhaoon" is a typical Govinda dance style song, sung very well by Sonu Nigam. It reminds of "Mere paaon mein ghunghroo..." from Dilip Kumar movie.

In conclusion, even though there is nothing new in this album, the wordings are silly and music hotch potch of old tunes, it still seems to click. It will do well as the movie is released, and extremely well if, as expected, the movie turns out to be hit.

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