Lakshya - the word is Lakshya!! That's right and the word is on everyone's lips
right now due to more than one reasons:
1) Hrithik Roshan, who arrives on big screen after almost an year's gap since
the phenomenal success of Koi Mil Gaya
2) Farhan Akhtar, who directs a movie almost 3 years after a path breaking 'Dil
Chahta Hai' that broke all rules
3) Hit 'jodi' of Hrithik and Preity Zinta who are set to put the screen ablaze
again after KMG
4) Big B whose presence is mandatory for all biggies now
5) Last but not the least Shankar Ehsaan Loy, who created a bang with Dil Chahta
Hai and are riding high on the worldwide musical success of Kal Ho Na Ho.
'Lakshya' is a Ritesh Sidhwani venture directed by Farhan Akhtar, has music by
Shankar Ehsaan Loy and has Javed Akhtar saab handling the lyrics department.
It's practically the same team, which was behind 'Dil Chahta Hai'. Based around
the Kargil War, 'Lakshya' is the story of a youngster for whom 'It took 24 years
and 18000 feet to find himself'!
It doesn't get any easier for a singer if he has to sing for a star who had a
complete change in image an year back. Reference point being Shaan, who sings to
'Main Aisa Kyon Hoon' for Hrithik Roshan, who played a mentally challenged guy
an year back and in Lakshya too isn't exactly in a chocolate lover boy role. To
add to it, in the pre-army days, the lead protagonist of Lakshya has an
altogether different look and personality, which makes it difficult for a singer
to present through the vocals. But kudos to Shaan who sings this track
exceptionally well and ensures that it has a HIT tag all over it. Full marks to
Shankar Ehsaan Loy too for coming up with a very different and hep tune that has
been a rage already (never mind a hint of the signature tune from James Bond and
Mission Impossible series)! Javed saab captures the mind set of a young boy
looking for an 'aim' in his life so effortlessly that you just can't help but
appreciate the genius. Prabhu Deva justifies the hard work done by all by coming
up with innovative choreography that elevates the song to further heights. In
all this is a song, which will be remembered for years to come. Though a word of
caution here that the song is being too much over-exposed!
When you have the hot pair of Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta at the lead who
arrive straight from the universal success of Koi Mil Gaya, then you just can't
ignore to have a romantic number between the two. 'Agar Main Kahoon' answers
this call which is very soft yet contemporary. It has a good use of guitar
throughout and the lead singers Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik do well again, as
always. Javed saab's lyrics are in a conversational mode and the song has a
potential to be another 'Jaane Kyon' from Dil Chahta Hai. A nice, rhythmic song!
To add icing to the cake comes 'Kitni Baatein' which is typically Hariharan. A
soft and somber number, it is excellently sung by Hariharan, who is ably
supported by Sadhna Sargam. Hariharan is good as usual but it is criminally
neglected Sadhan Sargam who impresses all with her soulful rendering. The
singers are one reason you want to hear the number again when it is repeated.
Orchestra in the background also has a cooling effect and makes for a peaceful
hearing. A separation song with a difference, it succeeds very well in not
getting into a weepy mood but instead holds your attention throughout primarily
due to good music [which does sound like A.R. Rehman at times].
From here the course of the album takes a different route altogether. Soon
follow two patriotic numbers and two related instrumentals in quick succession.
Title song of Lakshya starts with the sound of a hovering chopper and then gets
in the mould of a motivational song for the armed forces. There is an extensive
use of electronic guitar and drum beats that help in creating the desired mood.
Seemingly a training song, it is nice to hear but is mainly situational. The
song will not turn out to be another anthem but should do well on screen.
Shankar Mahadevan's vocals suit the number well and he does full justice to it.
'Kandhon Se Milte Hain Kandhe' continues in the spirit of the earlier title song
and tries to infuse the patriotic feel. The way it is different from the
patriotic songs from the JP Dutta movies is that it sounds more hep, modern and
rhythmic rather than focusing on melody. There are number of male singers used
for the track - Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam (surprisingly his only number),
Hariharan, Roop Kumar Rathod, Kunal Ganjawala and Vijay Prakash. Shankar Ehsaan
Loy demonstrate their style of music in this patriotic song which could easily
have taken an easier route by rendering a much tried and tested path of numerous
such similar tracks.
Instrumental 'Separation' is international in appeal and manages to get you into
a sad 'separation' mood! A one-track musical piece that doesn't deviate at all
by getting into too many variations, it is short and does somber down the mood.
Another instrumental 'Victory' is exactly opposite and is (obviously) about the
victory over the enemy. Again very international in style and substance, it
should sound extremely well when heard in the theatres with surround systems all
over!
One kept wondering all these weeks that why was 'Main Aisa Kyon Hoon' being
repeatedly aired on the tube million times a day with any new number not in
sight! This is understandable now because apart from 'Main Aisa Kyon Hoon',
there are just 'Agar Main Kahoon' which has a blockbuster appeal and 'Kitni
Baatein' which will be appreciated by the classes. Apart from these three
tracks, there aren't much chances that two patriotic tracks 'Lakshya' and 'Kandhon
Se Milte Hai Kandhen' and the instrumentals will really attract masses, at least
till the release of the movie. Though there are high chances that the movie's
release may completely elevate the music sales further depending upon its stay
at the box office.
In all, Lakshya does have good music that is very urban and will appeal to the
class audience. Hrithik's fans, who may be looking for another feel good score
like Koi Mil Gaya or peppy music in the lines of Dil Chahta Hai may be a trifle
surprised by being served a different menu all together. But going by the theme
of the movie, the album is pretty balanced and has been composed with style that
speaks of class. Though 'Lakshya' may not sweep all the music awards, it is in
addition to yet another good score in 2004 after Murder, Yuva and Hum Tum.
