No, we won't begin the review listing down all the musical hits Yash Raj films
have had in the past. That's because it is no more news, or anything surprising
for that matter. So, we directly jump into taking you through the six tracks
from Arjun Sablok directed N3 [yes, this is how Neal 'N' Nikki is being known
now in the yuppy circles] that features Uday Chopra for the first time since his
'dhamaka' act in 'Dhoom'. Opposite him comes new look Tanisha who is every bit
slim'n'sexy and should be the talk of the town soon. It won't be wrong to say
that N3 should be a second coming for her in spite of her 2 other releases in
2005 - 'Tango Charlie' and 'Sarkar'. After giving background music for a number
of movies in the last couple of years and coming up with a rocking score in 'Kaal',
composer duo of Salim Sulaiman look all set to wrap up the year with N3 that
promises to have yet another peppy'n'youthful soundtrack with lyrics by newcomer
Anvita Dutt Guptan, Irshad Kamil and Asif Ali Beg. Clinton & Dominique Cerejo,
Caralisa Monteiron and Vivienne Pocha get together for the chorus.
There was a time around a decade back when the song 'Sexy Sexy Sexy Mujhe Log
Bole' from Govinda-Karisma Kapoor starrer 'Khuddar' had to be reworded to 'Baby
Baby Baby' as the term 'sexy' was supposed to be indecent in the movie's
context. Circa 2005 and we have our very own heroine 'Nikki' openly proclaiming
the world that she is 'sweet'n'sexy' and 'hot'n'happening! And no, nothing looks
even wee bit vulgar or out of place in the title song 'Neal ‘n’ Nikki' that
marks the introduction of the two main characters in the movie. They talk about
themselves and their childhood fantasies, including a mathematics teacher and
none other than George Michael!
A fun song sung excellently by KK & Shweta Pandit, it has 'COOL' written all
over it and has a great rhythm by Salim Sulaiman that gets you on instantly. You
just cannot help yourself humming the song the entire day after you have heard
it once. Credit it to Anvita Dutt Guptan who comes up with simple lyrics that
are straight out of everyday conversation. And yes, there is an element of DDLJ
also in the song but you have to listen to the song to know more about it!
Another definite hit in the making is 'Halla Re' that brings Shweta Pandit
behind the mike once again. Written by Irshad Kamil, it has Robert ‘Bob’ Omulo
doing the rap and Salim Merchant too chipping in a little. A foot tapping track,
it brings with it happiness and high energy. Fusion of Western and Indian style
of music gives it a distinct feel and one is sure that this rhythmic track would
be presented quite well. It truly deserves so! Mark our words, the song should
be a craze on the very first day of its promo being premiered!
Beats of 'Tak Tak Tadhin' from 'Chori Chori' [Lucky - No Time of Love] begins
the second track written by Anvita Dutt Guptan - 'I’m In Love'. A song about a
couple's realization of love for one another, it is a melodious track that has
conventional lyrics but still comes across well as a package. After hearing some
peppy energetic tracks in 'Kaal' and the songs of N3 so far, Salim Sulaiman show
a different side of theirs with this breezy track that is sung so very well by
both Sonu Nigam & Mahalaxmi Iyer. Clinton & Dominique Cerejo are the chorus
singers in the background and give the track an elegant touch. 'I'm In Love'
grows on you every time you hear it. Overall, a sweet track about two young
hearts in love!
Shweta Pandit, who gets a big break with N3, returns back for the third time
with 'Akh Ladiye'. A 'Punjabi' celebrations track, it belongs to the kind that
you hear so often from the UK 'bhangra-pop' bands. Going by reputation of
today's directors to turn such a track into a visually appealing affair, it
won't come as a surprise if 'Akh Ladiye' too meets with the same fate. Sung by
Kunal Ganjawala and Javed Ali, it doesn't really bring with it anything
distinctly mind blowing but still the rhythm and pace of the song is good enough
to keep you interested in the proceedings.
'I Just Wanna Spend My Life With You' is a kind of track that comes across as a
pleasant surprise towards the end of the album. Reason? It is a complete English
track written by Asif Ali Beg and sung by Clinton & Dominique Cerejo. An
excellent number that would be identified instantaneously by those who love
hearing soft love songs from Western albums, it is the first of its kind for a
Bollywood movie. Great music, lovable lyrics and above all Clinton's rendition
make the song a memorable affair. The number has such a soft feel that one just
can't help falling in love with it. And just try playing the song in the
background when you are about to propose your girl over a candle light dinner –
she just won't be able to say NO! This is a track that makes N3 further special!
The album ends on a great note with "N 'n' N – The Naughty Mix" that is remixed
by Sulaiman Merchant, John Stewart and Satya Hinduja. Not one of those tracks
that are remixed just for the sake of it with just a few added beats and effects
here and there, this is indeed a remix of a 'different' kind as there is a lot
of experimentation with overall arrangements and the pace of the song. Expect
the track to come up as a promotional pace soon – it simply rocks. This one
would soon make way in the hot'n'happening pubs and discotheques!!
Music of N3 is an out and out entertainer and is in fact a notch higher than
Yash Raj's last 'Salaam Namaste'. Salim Sulaiman come up with yet another winner
after 'Kaal' and N3 should do stupendous sales as days progress.
