Reviewed by: Mohammad Ali Ikram
ali@indolink.com

"Jiya Ho, Jiya O Jiya Kuchh Boldo...
Are Ho, Dil Ka Parda Khol Do...
Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai,
Ek Dard Sa Dil Mein Hota Hai..." 

"A film which names itself after this immortal tune better have amazing songs," I forewarned myself.  Not to worry, Jatin Lalit deliver a score which is as beautiful as it is melodious, as romantic as it is nostalgic, as simple as it is...  In four words, you will love it.

Lata Mangeshkar may sound too mature for the film's heroine, Twinkle Khanna, but in the context of song listening, one will never notice.  Compare this album with the mediocrity of Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, and you can tell Jatin-Lalit were sleeping while composing the score for the Salman-Kajol co-starrer.

"O Jaana Na Jaana" and "O Jaana Yeh Maana" has Kumar Sanu and Lata treading a very Ram-Laxman cum sixties' style.  Sanu and Lata do have trouble with the yoddling interludes, but it is a cute, infectious tune.  You will have a tough time getting it out of your mind.

"Madhosh Dil Ki Dhadkan", has the same singers, crooning a typical swoon in June duet by Jatin Lalit.  You will like it, but watch out for Lata's ineptness at scaling the high notes.  (Age is beginning to take it's toll on this legend.) 

Lata is more at home with the youthful effervesence of "Is Dil Mein Kya Hai", thanks to Udit Narayan. The notes are more within her singing range, and the music is both jazzy and spunky.  It is my favourite tune from the album due to Udit's powerful vocals.

Alka Yagnik proves she too will be remembered by historians in the future for her simple, yet effective singing talent.  "Dil Mein Basake" and "Ek Dil Tha Paas Mere", both with Sanu, display her prowess.  However, it is the naughty "Chal Pyar Karegi" number which qualifies as a 'perfect' song.  Sonu Nigam (the first time I have admitted he is talented) serves as an apt foil to Yagnik, in this song which should become a mandatory wedding staple in the next few months.   

The exuberant solo "Pahli Pahli Bar Jab" serves as an example of Kumar Sanu on one of his better days.  It is amazing how this singer can sound so tired and nasal in some tunes, yet so relaxed, confident and talented at other times.

Commercial Indian cinema's reliance on music as an integral part of a movie, considerably complicates the film-making process.  With films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, the song's visuals are better than the songs themselves; Gupt's songs were far better than the videos; only films like Khamoshi, Lamhe and Rangeela have videos which equal their songs' beauty.  Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai will fall in either the second or final category.  

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