'Hat Trick' impressive but lacks lasting appeal

The film "Hat Trick", starring Kunal Kapoor, Rimi Sen, Paresh Rawal, Danny Denzongpa and Nana Patekar, comes at a time when the entire nation is gearing up for the World Cup cricket series.

With music composed by Pritam of "Dhoom" fame, the soundtrack comprises 11 tracks and includes a cricket-based song "Wicket bacha". A different album, it makes for good listening.

Starting off the soundtrack is "Ek pal mein", sung by Kay Kay - the man behind the success of "Kya mujhe pyaar hei" from "Woh Lamhe". Though he doesn't create the same magic, his vocals make the number a typical Bollywood track that concentrates on the hero's emotions and journey.

Following Kay Kay's youthful song is the soulful "I am coming home" by Roop Kumar Rathod. Rathod easily gives Sonu Nigam a run for his money as he does a great job in this incredibly melodic and romantic track.

Vishal Dadlani, the composer of this number, too, has lived up to his style. With a daydreaming effect to it, the song talks about a person wanting to break down all barriers and return home.

While the original was more of a soulful track, "I am coming home (reprise)" sounds a lot better as it includes guitar and drum beats. It is higher on instrumental appeal and more on a rock note. Plus, singer Rana Mazumder's vocals find greater passion in this version.

An evergreen number from yester-year film "Loot Maar" makes a comeback in with Mahalaxmi Iyer crooning "Jab chaye mera jaadu". Quite a surprise, this song, as the singer does a credible job of the song previously sung by Asha Bhosle.

Mahalaxmi has expressed fun and passion the same way Asha would. The only difference lies in Pritam's composing and the track's remix appeal.

The instant "Kahan kho gaya" begins, you're sure of a fast-tracked, guy-centric number high on beats. Sung by Soham Chakrabarty and written by Ashiesh Pandit, the song can be rated as an average number with a short lifespan because it doesn't bring anything special.

Labh Janjua does an okay job in the next song "Rabba khair kare", which has some Punjabi charm to it. Fused with drumbeats and western arrangements, the number also qualifies as a dance number. This rendering overshadows Gulzar's singing of another version of "Rabba khair kare".

A unique number comes in the form of "Wicket bacha", which suits the title of the film. The disco queen of the 80s, Usha Uthup, energises this peppy track in her trademark style.

Music arrangements are good and the chorus adds a cheering attitude. But easily beating this number is the "Wicket bacha" club remix by Bunty Rajput and EMU. Packed with extra zing and cheering, the song actually makes you want to join Team India in West Indies.

"Hat Trick" is a nice-to-hear album but might not really last long in the audio market. In spite of the fact that it boasts of a few commendable numbers, it stills seems to lack an immortal tinge.

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Hat Trick