Chakravyuh

[DTF Editor]

<b>EXPECTATIONS</b><BR><BR>
Honestly, expectations are pretty much in check when it comes to the music of <i>Chakravyuh</i>. For a film which basically explores a different genre altogether and is set in a socio-political zone, one can't really expect a quintessential Bollywood friendly commercial soundtrack in the offering. Still, one is surprised to find <i>Chakravyuh</i> as a song-heavy album, what with as many as eight tracks in the offering. An assortment of composers and lyricists come together for the album.<BR><BR>
<b>MUSIC</b><BR><BR>
'<i><b>Mehangai</b></i>', the song which has found itself in the middle of controversies due to Tata, Birla, Bata and Ambani finding reference in its lyrics, opens the album. While that may have worked for the film getting some attention, as a composition it doesn't really make much of a difference, what with the Vijay Verma composition hardly registering it's presence and making you root for it. With a rural base to it, this Turaz written song is core situational though one isn't left much impressed. What further takes the song down is a 'remix version' (really hard to imagine someone actually thought about it!) which is a quick skip. <BR><BR>
Sukhwinder Singh goes high pitched for '<i><b>Chheen Ke Lenge</b></i>' which is a song about Naxals demanding their rights amidst all the turmoil. Written by Irshad Kamil and composed by Salim-Sulaiman, it is meaningful in the context of the film but stays just there without making you press that 'repeat' button. Though it lasts a mere four minutes, one wonders whether the song would indeed play in the film's narrative for its entire duration. <BR><BR>
Sandesh Shandilya comes out of hibernation with '<i><b>Kunda Khol</b></i>', an item number picturised on Sameera Reddy. The only thing that works for the song is it's fast pace which allows this three and a half minutes piece to run through in a jiffy. Though the composition isn't any great shakes, Sunidhi Chauhan still tries to pep up the proceedings with some spirited singing. One just hopes that this song written by Ashish Sahu finds some meaningful placement in the film at a crucial juncture instead of just being fitted in for the sake of an item number. <BR><BR>
Thankfully Shantanu Moitra gets something to cheer about with '<i><b>Aiyo Piyaji</b></i>', a semi-classical number which reminds one of the settings that '<i>Aaoge Jab</i>' [<i>Jab We Met</i>] had enjoyed. Rashid Ali Khan gets it truly right with his soulful singing and Irshad Kamil's hold over the spoken words make an impression once again. Though the song can't be expected to go '<i>Mora Piya</i>' [<i>Raajneeti</i>] way, it still is good enough to register it's presence despite arriving so late in the album. <BR><BR>
Meanwhile Salim-Sulaiman return on the scene with '<i><b>Tambai Sa Rang</b></i>' which pretty much continues from where '<i>Chheen Ke Lenge</i>' left, and rightly so. After all, this Salim Merchant, Benny Dayal and Shadab Faridi sung number appears to be set amongst the Naxals and hence one can sense a similar stage and setting, both from the context as well as region perspective. However the results are similar as well, what with the song doesn't going beyond its situational play in the film. <BR><BR>
Later Aadesh Shrivastava makes his entry into the album with '<i><b>Paro</b></i>' which would have gone totally unnoticed if not for placement in this biggie which has Prakash Jha at the helm of affairs. A completely avoidable song which is incidentally composed by Aadesh Srivastava from whom one definitely expected better, this Panchhi Jalonvi written song by Shaan, Aadesh Shrivastava and Sunidhi Chauhan has the kind of lyrics that come across as rather forced, what with words like Facebook, Search etc. being thrown in despite a rustic setting to it. <BR><BR>
The album concludes with '<i><b>Chakravyuh Theme Song</b></i>' by Salim-Sulaiman which starts off in Benny Dayal's high pitched vocals to begin with but soon turns into an out and out theme piece which does manage to leave some decent impact. <BR><BR>
<b>OVERALL</b><BR><BR>
One had minimal expectations from the music of <i>Chakravyuh</i> and the soundtrack just about manages to reach even that low mark. While '<i>Kunda Khol</i>' may just about manage to bring in some glamour quotient to the film, '<i>Aiyo Piyaji</i>' could enjoy some audience in the long run if the film succeeds at the box office. <BR><BR>
<b>OUR PICK(S) </b><BR><BR>
<i>Kunda Khol, Aiyo Piyaji</i>