For a film who’s most known virtue is the leading lady’s nude scenes, a completely ghazal-soaked soundtrack by noted sitar exponent, Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan, does place its director’s intentions above that sordid, perhaps unintended marketing gimmick. Ustad’s own vocals in Ai khuda is rooted in the Jaidev style of filmy ghazals and those minor modern additions go really well in making this a highly engaging song. Barhaan dil‘s both versions (by Shreya Ghoshal and KK) are more from the Kuldeep Singh school of ghazal – simple, poignant tune, with minimal orchestration that let the lyrics and vocals fully seep in. Richa Sharma’s Fariyaad hai has lyrics by Amitabh Varma and they are far better than it’s weary,very conventional Pankaj Udhas’ish tune, while Udit and Shreya’s Behoshi nasha kushboo sits uncomfortably between it’s ghazal and filmy ambitions, satisfying none, entirely. Roop Kumar Rathod’s Ajnabi Ankhein uses a somber ghazal template made popular by Hariharan’s ghazals and works for its sorrowful stance. Out of the four gorgeous instrumental pieces by Shaarang Dev, Loser’s theme stands out for it raag Abhogi exposition, even as Ashwin Srinivasan’s flute rules over all of them. This soundtrack is a welcome change, despite its not-fully-satisfying assortment.
Keywords: Ustad Shujaat Husain Khan, Shaarang Dev, 200
