'Asambhav' music racy but low on tunes

Music Review

Film: "Asambhav"; Director: Rajiv Rai; Composer: Viju Shah; Lyricist: Sameer; Singers: Hema Sardesai, Naseeruddin Shah, Udit Narayan, Kavita

Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Sriram, Kay Kay, Sunidhi Chauhan.

Sameer has set the lyrics for the tracks composed by an ardent Rajiv Rai loyalist Viju Shah for this film.

Produced by Gulshan Rai under their illustrious banner Trimurti Films, "Asambhav" is a crucial juncture in the career of not only Arjun Rampal but also of Rai whose previous release was a complete disaster at the box office.

"Asambhav" has a total of five tracks with an instrumental piece for each track and a theme called the "Asambhav theme". Composing an instrumental piece for every track is a very unique and rare style of presenting music.

The album opens up with "Ratein badi hai". The track has two people bursting out on the word "Boom". Sung by Hema Sardesai, this one is an emblematic Viju Shah number with electronic fast paced beats.

The track perhaps highlights the pace of the movie and moves along with the story as witnessed in other Rajiv Rai flicks.

"Teri dekh dekh ladkaiyan" is a major trump card and manages to hit bull's eye without ado. While initially it might sound like a typical item number, it gradually grows on you as you listen to it time and again.

If promoted well, the track certainly has the potential to pull it off just like other Rajiv Rai and Viju Shah hit combos like "Tu cheez badi hai mast mast".

Udit Narayan and especially Kavita Krishnamurthy have effortlessly recreated their "Mast mast" magic and more. The tuning between the two is paranormal and Kavita's divine vocals provide the much needed class appeal. A tune rich on melody and equipped with invigorating brisk paced musical instruments is a definite winner. Shah deserves every bit of applause for this one.

Synchronised with the strong and fleeting velocity of the album, "Mashuqa rubi" rolls up next. Anuradha Sriram is a brilliant pick for such a swift item number.

Viju Shah's instrumental and enlivening musical backdrop is something to look forward to once again, but the tune is just about acceptable.

Lyrics by Sameer couldn't have been better for such a vigorous track, but Shah could have safely avoided the rather strident "Booms".

"Main sada hoon" is yet another track that is rich on musical arrangement, but a big let down on tune. Kay Kay is his usual self, excelling in rising from low notes to high soaring pitches.

Sameer's appropriate lyrics cannot lift the track above a certain level, as the tune is not good enough. Kay Kay's formidable singing effort, Shah's staggeringly gripping contemporary beats and Sameer's thoughtful lyrics get overshadowed by a passable tune.

To offer more electrifying musical shocks than you might have ever asked for, "Koi aayega" arrives next. This time it is Sunidhi Chauhan who exhibits her natural talent for this item number.

Compared to the previous two, "Koi aayega" has a superior tune, which ascends from dawdling to swift and back and Sunidhi handles it really well. Lyrics are also in tune with the requirements of the track and one should have no complaints on that.

All the five instrumentals are just as good as their vocal tracks. The "Asambhav theme" is an addition, which is something to look forward to. Not only because it has been very aesthetically composed, but also because of a brief dialogue between Nasseruddin Shah and Arjun Rampal, which is quite impressive.

It might be reminiscent of Rajiv Rai's "Gupt theme", but the originality dwells in the capricious tempo of the theme.

The music of "Asambhav" once again confirms that Viju Shah is certainly one of the best composers that we have when it comes to delivering expeditious racy tracks with ultra modern electronic beats.

However, in the midst of all the upbeat technology and heavy duty musical instruments, the tunes seem to have taken a backseat. Click the Movie button below for more info:
Asambhav