Titli S(ripad)alvaged the average soundtrack

Titli was arguably the best song in Chennai Express (a soundtrack that, literally, headed south). It was also the longest – just ten seconds short of six minutes long, to be precise.

It was penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Those who don’t hail from the south would obviously be G(r)oping for the Tamil words, sung by Malayali musician Sunder, but it must be said that he and Chinmayi have done (Sripa)adamn good job.

The song, which had a dubstep version, featured the vocals of another singer from Chennai, Srimathumitha.  

  

Vishal and Shekhar ABsolved themselves

Amitabh Bhattacharya aspired to be a singer. Maybe he was referring to that form of expression when he penned Tera Rastaa Chhodoon Na from Chennai Express.

And it wouldn’t be wrong to say that he grabbed the opportunity to do so with both hands when it came a-knocking on his door.

Even Anusha, who kept him company behind the microphone, was right on the Mani.

By no stretch of the imagination was that track – which was four minutes and thirteen seconds long – a chartbuster, but it had repeat V(ish)alue.

Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani composed it.

  

It was Possibly Vishal’s worst

Ready Steady Po from Chennai Express was an annoying song from the word Po (Tamil for go). Mercifully, it was the shortest song in the film – just three minutes and 28 seconds long, to be precise.

Penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, it was comPosed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani and sung by the former, Brodha V, Smokey, Enkore and Natalie Di Luccio.

Given the fact that attention spans have become shorter, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if this track faded out of the memories of the listeners, who weren’t Ready for the aural assault. 

Alas, this waSANother average track

There is no doubt about the fact that Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari from Chennai Express was just another run-of-the-mill song.

At the outset, it seemed philosophical, with lines that went, “Double double hoti thi, jo kabhi kabhi takleefein, kisi ke sang mein chalne se, huin half se kum.”   

But it eventually became a tad enjoyable with Hinglish lyrics (penned, unsurprisingly, by Amitabh Bhattacharya, whose forte is the use of colloquialisms).

It was rendered by Arijit Singh, Sunidhi (Chauh)and Neeti Mohan.

Composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, it was five minutes and seven minutes long.

SPB and Jonita 'Express'ed themselves

The title track of Chennai Express marked the comeback of S P Balasubrahmanyam to Bollywood after a (considerably long) hiatus.

Jonita, the India-born Canadian singer who kept the veteran company behind the microphone, couldn’t have asked for a G(r)and(hi)er debut.

This Hinglish track, which was four minutes and 47 seconds long, was penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya and composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

(Vish)Although the song was catchy, it had a short shelf life [perhaps because it sounded like one were constantly urged to use public transportation (remember the line, “Get on the train, baby”?)]

Vishal must’ve floored a few

How one wishes inviting someone to get on the dance floor was as easy as saying, “1, 2, 3, 4!” But Amitabh Bhattacharya, who penned the lyrics, made the listeners believe it were possible.

It was composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. Released as a promotional single for 

Chennai Express on World Music Day* in 2013, the former and Hamsika Iyer rendered it. Kasthurirangan S(richar)ang the Tamil portion.

It was three minutes and 48 seconds long. (Vish)Although it was undoubtedly addictive, it probably had the shortest shelf life of them all.

   

(*Celebrated on June 21.)

Ve(rsati)le Shekhar sang with Vishal

(Vish)Although Vele, from Student of the Year, was catchy, it wasn’t a track with a long shelf life or a high repeat V(e)(a)l(u)e.

Unless, of course, you’re either a die-hard Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani fan or dig Punjabi songs (or, for that matter, a party animal). The latter must be commended for emerging a ve(rsati)le singer. 

In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to state that the track, which was penned by Anvita Dutt (Gupt)and sung by the composers (and was three minutes and 50 seconds long), was one of the ve(le)akest songs in the film.

A generation rediscovered Nazia Hassan

Disco Deewane, the debut album of Nazia Hassan, released in 1981 and became a chartbuster. The Pakistani pop star was 16 then. She died in 2000, at the age of 35.

Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani didn’t just revamp the eponymous track for Student of the Year, but they also retained her voice. It was rechristened The Disco Song.

It was the longest song in the film – five minutes and 42 seconds, to be precise. Dutt’s lyrics, coupled with Benny Dayal (Chauh)and Sunidhi’s rendition [(Gupt)and Dadlani’s English V(ish)(oc)als], were An(in)vitation to hit the dance floor.  

Playback’S SUV drove fans insane

Radha, arguably the most popular song from Student of the Year, got off to a semi-classical start, before becoming what was perhaps the grooviest dance number of the year. It was five minutes and 41 seconds long.

It was penned by Anvita Dutt (Gupt)and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Ravjiani [who Sh(ekh)ared singing credits with Shreya Ghoshal (Naray)and Udit.]

The song bagged the listener’s choice song of the year award at the Mirchi Music Awards in 2013, and was nominated in the most popular song category at the South Africa India Film and Television Awards.  

Mr Mallya’s track was (Kukk)adisappointment

Vis-à-vis the other songs in Student of the Year, Kukkad didn’t just have the shortest shelf life, but it also had no repeat value. In fact, it wouldn’t be incorrect to state that it was just another track with English lyrics which scored pretty high as far as skipP(unj)ability was concerned.

It was four minutes and 22 seconds lonG(upt)and was penned by Anvita Dutt.

Composed by Dadlani and Ravjiani, the song saw a couple of female V(ish)(oc)alists – Nisha Mascarenhas and Marianne D’Cruz – Sh(ekh)are singing credits with Mallya [whose surname, S(h)a(hi)dly, didn’t guarantee a good time].

It became a lovers’ (Mer)chant

Vishal-Shekhar and the Merchant brothers (Salim and Sulaiman) go back a long way. The latter composed the background scores of Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999) and Salaam Namaste (2005).

Ravjiani and Salim teamed up to sing Ishq Wala Love from Student of the Year (2012), whose music was composed by Dadlani and the former.

(Moh)And it was the debutante Neeti who kept them company behind the microphone. It earned her the Filmfare R D Burman Award for New Music Talent in 2013.

Penned by Anvita Dutt, the track was four minutes (Gupt)and 18 seconds long.

It was a Sa(gathia)rcastic song

Dibakar Banerjee didn’t just direct Shanghai (2012), but also penned the lyrics of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, which became popular because it had witty lines like Sone ki chidiya, Dengue malaria, Gud bhi hai gobar bhi hai [which means (India is) a golden bird and a breeding ground for diseases, because there’s jaggery as well as s**t].

The song was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. It was four minutes and six seconds long and was sung by Keerthi Sagathia, Dadlani, Banerjee, Mandar Apte, Chintamani Sohoni and R N Iyer. It was remixed too. 

AB isko ekla mat suno

Ekla Cholo Re was penned by the country’s first Nobel laureate (Rabindranath Tagore)*. It was reworked for Kahaani by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani and was five minutes and thirteen seconds long. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that the best was saved for (Ek)last.

It proved a good decision to rope Amitabh Bachchan in to render the track, which combined Bengali, Hindi and English lyrics. No one could have done it better justice than the superstar.

Clinton – who, incidentally, C(erej)omposed the film’s background score – sang the English portions.

*It was originally composed by Tagore.

Usha’s rendition was truly joyous

Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands (Uth)up if you think Usha’s zesty vocals did justice to Kolkata’s spirit in just three minutes and 20 seconds!

Aami Shotti Bolchi (Bengali for I’m telling you the truth) from Kahaani (2012) was Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani’s ode to the City of Joy. The former penned it.

It's no secret that Bollywood has never enthused the custodians of India’s indie music scene, but Krishnamoorthy, the frontman of a Mumbai-based metal band, kept Uthup (and Ravjiani) company behind the microphone. And the job he did was far from Vish(y)(-)w(a)(e)sh(y). 

Ooh La La(hiri)! Shreya rocked

Ooh La La, from The Dirty Picture, was penned by Rajat Aroraa and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. Since it’s supposed to transport the listener to the 1980s, Bappi Lahiri S(hrey)ang it with Ghoshal. It was four minutes and 18 seconds long.

Ghoshal bagged the International Indian Film Academy Award and the Screen Award in the best playback singer (female) category in 2012. The song fetched Bappi a best male playback nomination at the La(hiri)tterly-named ceremony. It was nominated in the best track of the year category at that year's Zee Cine Awards.   

Ishq Su(nidhi)fiyana definitely sounded better

Note to the readers: I prefer the female version of Ishq Sufiyana from The Dirty Picture (2011) to its male version.

Having said that, it doesn’t mean I don’t like the latter, rendered by Kamal. [The lad, who won Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Singing Superstar (2010), Khan obviously sing.] I plan to create a poll to know your choice.

Penned by Rajat Aroraa and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, Sunidhi Chauhan’s version of the track was five minutes and 29 seconds long. In fact, it was just two seconds longer than Khan’s. 

Shafqat’s version wasn’t lacKing soul

There’s no doubt about the fact that Dildaara (a Bollywood adaptation of American singer Ben E King’s oft-covered Stand By Me) from Ra.One was a beautiful amalgamation of several genres (gospel, trance, R&B, soul and Sufi).

They obtained the license to use the track, which was four minutes and nine seconds long.

It was penned by Kumaar and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. The foursome who rendered it – Shafqat Ali [who earned A(ma)n(omin)ation in the best male playback singer category at the 2012 Filmfare Awards], Clinton Cerejo and the music directors – was awesome.

There was Ako(u)nting for taste

Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani were probably of the opinion that since they had decided to go glocal, they could go the whole hog. Hence they composed Criminal, which was five minutes and six seconds long.

The Hinglish song from Ra.One, which was penned by Kumaar, was sung by Akon, Dadlani and Shruti Pathak.

Thankfully, better sense prevailed upon those eager to jump onto the remix bandwagon – unlike Chammak Challo (Akon’s first Bollywood song, which had four remixed versions), this track had just one, titled Club Mix. It was five minutes and 33 seconds long.  

It became an Akonic song

Chammak Challo, from Ra.One (2011), was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. Just three minutes and 46 seconds long, the track was primarily in Hindi and Tamil, but it also had a few English lines.

Since Senegalese-American singer Akon seemed to be in the rhythm when he sang the song, it’s safe to assume he had no blues. And Hamsika took it a few notches Iyer.

Dadlani and Niranjan (Iy)e(ng)arned a Filmfare nomination for the song in the best lyricist category in 2012, while Akon was nominated in the Best Male Playback Singer category.         

Amitabh was a cap(pell)able vocalist

The a cappella version of Bbuddah… Hoga Terra Baap’s (2011) title track was one of the shortest songs composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. It was a couple of minutes and 46 seconds long.

It was penned by Dadlani and rendered by Amitabh, who proved that it isn’t about the age, it’s about the mileage. It was a refreshing (Bach)change to listen to a track with minimal instrumental accompaniment.

The multi-talented duo collaborated on another version of the track, which was three minutes and 21 seconds long. It was called the Dub Step version.   

Sunidhi rose above the Ta(M)cKiness

You have to (Chau)hand it to Sunidhi for agreeing to S(unidh)ing a song as tacky as Sheila Ki Jawani from Tees Maar Khan (2010), (Chauh)and doing such a fabulous job that she shared the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer and the Producers’ Guild Film Award in the same category in 2011.

Dadlani penned the song (which was four minutes and 43 seconds long), and composed it with Shekhar Ravjiani. He (Vish)also sang it.

It also earned best track of the year, best playback singer (female) and best lyricist nominations at the Zee Cine Awards. 

Suraj sang this diS(adk)appointing track

Sadka Kiya, from I Hate Luv Storys, wasn’t weak per se, but vis-à-vis the other tracks in the film, it wouldn’t be wrong to S(adk)ay that it was a bit of a let-down, because it takes a few repetitions of the song for it to grow on the listener.

And then, there’s the duration. The song, which was penned by Anvita Dutt (Gupt)and composed by Vishal Dadlani and  Shekhar Ravjiani, was five minutes and 43 seconds long.

Having said that, Suraj shone, (Jag)and so did Iyer, the lady who kept him company behind the M(ahalakshm)icrophone.  

Vishal was adept at KISSing

Note to the readers: Don’t get me wrong, folks! Vishal Dadlani didn’t encroach upon Emraan Hashmi’s territory. What the title of this post intends to imply is that the composers of Jab Mila Tu from I Hate Luv Storys (he and Shekhar Ravjiani) kept it short and simple.

The track, which was just four minutes and eleven seconds long, was penned by Anvita Dutt (Gupt)and sung by Dadlani.

It takes the listener down melody lane. But there’s a flip side: vis-à-vis the other songs in the film, it takes (Vish)alonger time to grow on him/her.   

Vishal couldn’t hate luv storys

The title track of I Hate Luv Storys had a couple of wickedly brazen opening lines that went, “I know you like me, you know I like you. Let’s get together girl, you know you want to.” And then there was the ironic hook, “I Hate Luv Storys.”

It was penned by Kumaar and composed by Vishal Dadlani (who sang it) and Shekhar Ravjiani. The duo earned a Filmfare nomination in the best music director category in 2011, and was nominated in the same category at the sixth Apsara Film and Television Producers’ Guild Awards. 

It’S(hafq)atrack that deserved its nominations

Bin Tere, from I Hate Luv Storys, was Sun(idhi)g by Shafqat Amanat Ali and Ms Chauhan. It was five-and-a-half minutes long, and was nominated in the best t(e)r(e)ack of the year category at the 2011 Zee Cine Awards.

Ali was nominated in the best male playback singer category at the 2011 Filmfare Awards and the Zee Cine Awards.  

It was penned by Vishal Dadlani (who was nominated in the best lyricist category at the 2011 Filmfare Awards) and composed by him and Shekhar Ravjiani. The latter sang the reprised version.

The song was remixed too.

Sona did (Mohapat)raise the B(ahar)ar

Bahara, from I Hate Luv Storys (2010), was penned by Kumaar and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

It fetched Ms Ghoshal the 2011 Star Screen Award for Best Female Playback Singer and earned her a nomination in the same category at that year’s Filmfare Awards.

She Sh(rey)ared singing credits with Ms Mohapatra, who S(on)ang the rustic portions at the beginning and in the middle of the song.

While the song is five minutes and 25 seconds long, its Chill Version – rendered by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan – was four minutes and four seconds shorter.

Monica literally went the distance

If a person is in the throes of a relationship, it is imperative that he/she gives his/her partner space. And if one is (Do)grappling with the pangs of separation, it’s probably because s/he failed to do so.

That, in a nutshell, was what Dooriyan Bhi Hain Zaroori from Break Ke Baad was about. It was penned by Prasoon Joshi and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

It was rendered by Dadlani and Monica. The latter was born in the United States (and is one half of the Mumbai-based electronic rock duo Shaa’ir and Func).    

Neeraj sang (Aj)about a (Dadla)n(e)ighbour

When it comes to songs about the girl next door (whom the protagonist has fallen in love with), it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Ajab Leher Hai, from Break Ke Baad, failed to achieve top-of-the-mind recall.

But by no means was the track, which was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, ba(a)d. It’s just that unlike many of the duo’s catchy numbers, it took a while to grow on the listener.

Prasoon Joshi, who penned the song, deserved kudos for keeping it simple. Neeraj, the composers and Rhys D’Souza Sh(ridh)ared the singing credits.

Ms Mendonsa (Alys)sang with Vishal

Adhoore, from Break Ke Baad (2010), was composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. Alas, it wasn’t a song with a high repeat V(ish)alue.

Adman Prasoon Joshi, who penned the song, (Mc)Can(n) write (and, in fact, has written) better lyrics.   

It was sung by Dadlani and Alyssa Mendonsa, whose dad, Loy Mendonsa, is one-third of the composing trio (the others being Shankar Mahadevan and Ehsaan Noorani).

The song earned the former a nomination in the best playback singer (male) category at the 12^th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, which took place in Toronto in 2011. 

’Twas one Mo(re)hit for Chauhan

Tujhe Bhula Diya from Anjaana Anjaani was penned by Vishal Dadlani and Kumaar, and composed by the former and Shekhar Ravjiani.

It was one of the biggest (Mo)hits of Chauhan’s career. The opening lines, in Punjabi, were sung by Shruti Pathak. The third singer was none other than Ravjiani.

While the song, which was interspersed with a qawwali, was four minutes and 41 seconds long, its remixed version – which reunited the aforementioned trio – was just nine seconds shorter.

This melancholic track must have been a hot favourite with those who moved on following a break-up. 

The listeners D(efi)(adla)nitely felt good

Obviously one collaboration wasn’t enough. So Dadlani and Shilpa teamed up again.

Interestingly, I Feel Good was the second longest track in Anjaana Anjaani (it was five minutes and 23 seconds long). But by no means did it leave the listeners feeling bad.

(Vish)Although it was a soft R(a)ock number, it was as different fR(a)om the duo’s previous track as chalk is from cheese.

That’s probably because it had an English hook (And I Don’t Know Why, But I Feel Good).

Dadlani didn’t just pen the song, but he also composed it with Shekhar Ravjiani.

Luck(il)y, the elusive Ali agreed

Most songs sung by Lucky Ali have been delightful, and Hairat from Anjaana Anjaani was no exception.

It was the shortest song in the film (in a mere four minutes and nine seconds, the listener is inspired to rope a few friends in and plan a road trip).

Penned by Vishal Dadlani, it was composed by him and Shekhar Ravjiani.

It wouldn’t be a hairat ki baat if Alistener said s/he wanted to play the track again – vis-à-vis the Anjaana Anjaani songs mentioned on this blog so far, it does have the H(a)i(ra)(ghes)t repeat value. 

Nikhil’s version found T(h)ak(u)(e)rs too

Anjaana Anjaani Ki Kahaani, the second title track of Anjaana Anjaani, was penned by Misra [who uN(ee)le(a)shed his passion and donned numerous hats] and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. It was four minutes and 47 seconds long.

D’Souza (Ni)k(h)illed the track, which was a blend of English and Hindi lyrics. Although the crooner majored in geology, he decided to make the transition from rocks to rocking numbers.

Keeping him company behind the M(onal)icrophone was Thakur, who participated in the second season of Indian Idol, which commenced in 2005 and concluded the following summer.

Vishal’s title track was R(a)ocking

Anjaana Anjaani had two title tracks. The longer of those – Anjaana Anjaani – was rendered by Vishal Dadlani and Shilpa Rao.

In fact, it was the longest song in the film – five minutes and 55 seconds long, to be precise. But it doesn’t take (Vish)along time to gR(a)ow on the listeners.   

It was penned by Irshad Kamil and Kausar Munir, and composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Although it was a soft rock number and a romantic track R(a)olleD(adlan)into one, it probably wasn’t an automatic choice for a lovestruck youngster to (Shil)p(l)ay on St V(ish)alentine’s Day. 

Deservedly, this song was R(epe)a(ha)ted

Apparently, Aas Paas Hai Khuda from Anjaana Anjaani (2010) wA(a)s two good a song to be Paassed up.

Not only was there a Rahat Fateh Ali Khan solo (which was five minutes and 21 seconds long), but there was an unplugged version too. The latter, which was three minutes and 23 seconds long, was rendered by the Pakistani singer and Shruti Pathak.

The song was penned and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, who were nominated for the Filmfare Best Music Director Award and the Zee Cine Award in the same category in 2011.    

Vishal and Shekhar were insane

You May Be was A(ladi)nother example of Mr Dadlani’s V(er)(i)s(h)a(ti)lity. It was penned, composed and sung by him.

He Sh(ekh)ared the composing and singing credits with Ravjiani.

The romantic number, which combined English words with Hindi ones, was five minutes and 43 seconds long. 

(Note: Until a couple of months ago, I wasn’t aware of this track. Here’s a big shout out to Radio Mirchi’s RJ Suren, who recommended it in a reply to one of my tweets. In fact, he described the rendition as insane. After I listened to it, I couldn’t agree more.)

The Big B’s baritone boomed

Aladin was Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani’s only outing in 2009.

The duo, who roped in Abhishek Bachchan for a track in Bluffmaster! (2005), probably felt achche (Ala)din vaapas aayenge if they got Amitabh Bachchan, jo rishte mein toh unke baap lagte hain, to lend his baritone to a song they composed. And, to their delight, he gave his nod.

Dadlani penned the track (Genie Rap), which was just under three minutes long. Anushka Manchanda was the legend’s co-vocalist.

DJ Suketu’s remixed version of it, which featured Aks, was five minutes and 24 seconds long.         

Mr Dadlani was an (Vish)all-rounder

Tashan Mein, the title track of Tashan, was five minutes and six seconds long. It was a Dadlani song (Vish)all the way.

He (Piyu)shared the credit for penning it with Mishra, composed it with Shekhar Ravjiani and sang it with Master Saleem (Reh)and Khan (who won Fame X, a reality show broadcast on SAB TV in 2007).

(Vish)Alas, the song – which was nothing but mere repetitions of the phrase Tashan Mein – was D(adlan)isappointing, because tashan (which is a North Indian word meaning style) is nothing sans substance. Having said that, Dadlani possesses bucketloads of both.

Narayan and Mahalakshmi earned plaUdits

If the songs of Tashan that have been written about on this blog so far were to be summed up in four words, they would be flak se Falak Tak [because it was, M(un)iraculously, the one that got away].

It was the longest song in the film – five minutes and 52 minutes long, to be precise. Penned by Kausar, it was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Mahalakshmi kept Narayan company behind the microphone. In fa(la)kt, they earned plaUdits for taking what could be called the film’s numero uno track a few notches Iyer.        

Sukhwinder ne dil actually jeeta

Dil Haara – the only solo in Tashan – was penned by Piyush Mishra and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. It was five minutes and 51 seconds long.

Contrary to the song’s title, Sukhwinder, the Sing(h)er, won a lot of hearts. It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that it was one of the highlights of the album.

Although it wasn’t a track one could dance to, one of the ironic lines at the beginning of the song went, “Tabadtod naach loon.” If that were translated, it would mean, “Let me break into a jig pronto.”   

They SUStained the listeners’ interest

Dil Dance Maare from Tashan was not only comical, but catchy too. The track, which was five minutes and 21 seconds long, was penned by Vishal Dadlani and composed by him and Shekhar.

Sadly, the film’s music was launched in the midst of theiR(avjia)nightmarish run, which commenced in 2007 (and ended three years later).

However, Sukhwinder, Udit (Naray)and Sunidhi Chauhan deserved kudos for Sing(h)ing the song as if it were their responsibility to ensure that it rose above the mediocrity that was a characteristic of the soundtrack.

Come to think of it, it probably was.      

Sunidhi didn’t P(iy)ush the envelope

Chhaliya was the shortest song in Tashan (2008) – it was four minutes and 43 seconds long. But it provided ample scope for Sunidhi Chauhan to do what she has being doing like a boss for a long time – sound seductive.

Piyush, the male singer, is a Jack of all trades, but those who think he's a master of none were Mis(hra)taken.

Sadly, Chauhan (Suni)d(h)isappointed, so it certainly wouldn’t have been a Mis(hra)take if the listener decided to P(iy)ush the forward button.

The Du(e)t(t) was penned by Anvita (Gupt)and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

   

Sunidhi ensured that everyone bounced

If the songs of Dostana were listed in alphabetical order (as was indeed the case), Shut Up & Bounce would be the last. Appropriately so, because it was one of Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani’s weakest compositions.

One has to (Chau)hand it to Sunidhi for trying to salvage the song, which was four minutes and 38 seconds long (and succeeding to an extent). Keeping her company behind the microphone was none other than Dadlani.

Dutt Guptan penned this Anvitation to bounce [or perhaps a challenge (to anyone who believes s/he’s a singer) to shut up].   

Saleem sang with gay abandon

At one point, Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani seemed to have acquired the unfortunate reputation of composing at least one ridiculous track per film, which obviously offset what was otherwise a sublime soundtrack.

 

But Maa Da Laadla from Dostana took the cake, the baker and the bakery. Although the ode to guys who swing the other way was annoying, it couldn’t be ignored, because it was incredibly catchy.

The song, which was peppered with Punjabi words, was penned by Kumaar and rendered by Master Saleem. Thankfully, it was just four minutes and five seconds long.   

Shaan did kum up trumps

Never judge a song by its title. Vis-à-vis the other songs in Dostana, Kuch Kum was kuch zyada hi lamba – five minutes and 41 seconds long, to be precise.

Having said that, it was a Shaandaar ballad. Many a music buff must have assumed that the talented Mr Mukherjee  smiled upon reading the lyrics, which state that everything – be it the light, the rain or the wind – kums a cropper (and time kums to a standstill) when the ladylove is around.

The track was penned by Vishal Dadlani and composed by him and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Mr Ali was Amanat ease

Amanat was the second runner-up on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007.

The transition from reAlity show contestant to playback singer has rarely been smooth, but the lad, who hails from the Pakistani city of Faisalabad and was mentored by Darbar on the show, had a reason to (I)sm(a)il(e) – he got the opportunity to sing Khabar Nahin from Dostana (with Dadlani and Shreya Ghoshal). However, it seemed to be the former’s (Vish)all the way.

Du(t)track, which was four minutes (Gupt)and 19 seconds long, was penned by Anvita and composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. 

Vishal definitely got it (al)right

Jaane Kyon – which was penned by Anvita – could be called Du(t)title track of Dostana. The fact that it contained the film’s title was purely coincidental.

It starts with (Gupt)an English line (I’ll be alright), which was repeated throughout the song, which was four minutes and 38 seconds long.

Perhaps she wanted to reassure the listeners that the flak she got for a couple of poor outings didn’t bother her.

It wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Vishal Dadlani – who didn’t just compose the song (with Shekhar Ravjiani), but sang it too – was a surprise package.

Shankar specialised(es)in songs about girls

Desi Girl from Dostana (2008) was the second song about a girl* composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani and sung by Shankar Mahadevan.

And since he was joined behind the mic by Sunidhi Chauhan and Dadlani, it’s safe to assume that they had a blast while recording it.

The lyrics can make or (Ku)ma(a)r a song. And Kumaar should be commended for keeping them simple. That ensured that the song stayed in the memories of music buffs for a long time.

(*It’s up to the readers to Deside which of the two is better.)

Raja (Ha)sang The Butterfly Song

Maari Teetri (The Butterfly Song) from De Taali (2008) marked Raja Hasan’s Bollywood debut.

The singer emerged the runner-up on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007. On the show, he was mentored by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, who composed the music of the aforementioned film.

The song, which was was four minutes and 46 seconds long, was penned by Dadlani and Abbas and gave wings to Hasan’s career, but fame is as T(y)r(ewal)ansient as a butterfly.

(Note: The songs on this blog are in alphabetical order and have been arranged film-wise and year-wise.)

Shankar didn’t squander his (Mah)ad(e)vantage

Besides being an accomplished singer, Shankar Mahadevan is a versatile composer. So when he was picked by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani to sing Small Town Girl from Bachna Ae Haseeno, he probably donned the music director’s hat.

Although it would be correct to say that he delivered the goods, there was precious little he could do to salvage this mediocre solo.

A song’s lyrics are (An)vital to its success. So music aficionados must have been a tad disappointed to know that Dutt Guptan penned this track, which was three minutes and 49 seconds long.

Raja was the Lucky Boy

Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani fused the sensuous vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan and Hard Kaur’s rap with folksy portions by newbie Raja Hasan. The result? Lucky Boy from Bachna Ae Haseeno.

Kaur has always made her fans say, “Goddamn” (which happens to be one of the song’s words). It definitely isn’t Hard to say why.

The track, which was four minutes and fifteen seconds long, was penned by Anvita Dutt Guptan. Sadly, it wasn’t the catchiest of the lot, but Hasan – who hails from Bikaner, Rajasthan – was indeed fortunate to get off to a flier.

Shilpa deserved all the KKudos

Khuda Jaane from Bachna Ae Haseeno was five minutes and 35 seconds long, while Khuda Jaane – Revisited was four minutes and 43 seconds long.

The Du(e)t(t) – composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani – earned Anvita, the lyricist, (Gupt)an International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) nomination in 2009.

KK bagged the 2009 Screen Award for Best Male Playback and was nominated in the same category at that year’s Filmfare Awards and IIFA Awards.

Shilpa deserved a R(a)ound of applause for being nominated in the Best Female Playback Singer category at the 2009 Filmfare Awards and IIFA Awards.    

It was a S(ma)SH Hi(mani)t

Punjabis don’t need An(in)vitiation to break into a J(og)ig. All they need is a song. And Jogi Mahi from Bachna Ae Haseeno wasn’t a typical one [perhaps because it was penned by a Mahila (Dutt Guptan)].

The song, which was four minutes and 54 seconds long, was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. (Jo)Given that such tracks aren’t their forte, the duo has delivered (M)ahit.

Ravjiani also happened to be one of the three Sing(h)ers who sang it, the others being Sukhwinder (who would only have been too happy to oblige) and Himani Kapoor.

The senior Kumar rocK(ishor)ed (Sum)it!

If Kishoreda were alive, he would undoubtedly have given the Ku(ma)rrent crop of singers a run for their money.

That includes his younger son Sumit Kumar, who, in fact, sang the title track of Bachna Ae Haseeno with him (and Vishal Dadlani).

The comparison of that song, penned by Dutt Guptan and composed by Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani, to the original was ine(An)vitable.

Thankfully, those of the opinion that it shouldn’t have been remade had a reason to (Kisho)rejoice too, because it was the film’s shortest song. It was three minutes and 31 seconds long.

Ms Ghoshal certainly got Lucky

Aahista Aahista from Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008) was penned by Anvita, who also wrote the dialogues of the film.

(Gupt)And true to its name, this Du(e)ttook its time to grow on the listeners.

Composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani could consider themselves extremely Lucky, because they got an opportunity to work with Ali, who is known to be very choosy.

Shreya’s fans were G(hosha)lad she said yes to the duo.

(Ghosh)Although their voices were unAlike, they complemented each other.

This was the longest song in the film. It was five minutes and 52 seconds long.

It was a Sureshot no-no

The only ones who might have been happy on listening to the happy version of Ta Ra Rum Pum (from Ta Ra Rum Pum) were the wee ones.

It was penned by Javed Akhtar, and was sure(sh)ly one of Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani’s cutest compositions.

But it couldn’t even be called the saving grace of a mediocre soundtrack.  

Shaan’s popularity with children made him the best choice to render this track, which was four minutes and 29 seconds long.

Iyer and a couple of kids – Shravan and Sneha – kept him company behind the (Mahalaksh)microphone.

Sowmya R(a)o(h)se to the occasion

Nachle Ve – the Punjabi track from Ta Ra Rum Pum – certainly wasn’t one of Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani’s best compositions, but the duo had the (nach)le(e)ve to step out of their comfort zone. And that is just what they did.

The song, which was four minutes and five seconds long, was penned by Javed Akhtar and rendered by Sonu Nigam and Sowmya Raoh.

While the song gave the latter an opportunity to s(h)ow(mya)case her versatility, it is unfair that a singer as talented as the former has been underutilised by Messrs Dadlani and Ravjiani.

Shaan Sho(na)wed his romantic side

Hey Shona, from Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007), was a romantic duet composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Music buffs could trust lyricist Javed Akhtar to use a term of endearment as the hook of the song.

It was sung by Shaan and Sunidhi. If there were a contest whose winner would be crowned Bollywood’s best balladeers, this pair will definitely make the cut, even if they don’t win it (Chau)hands down!   

The track, which is five minutes and eighteen seconds long, is a perfect choice for the occasion (today is St Valentine’s Day).  

Mr Nigam’s voice was Sonurous

If Main Agar Kahoon – the duet from Om Shanti Om – were recorded three or four decades ago, it would probably have been rendered by Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. But it wasn’t.

However, it helped that Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal, who sang it, idolised the aforementioned legends.

If one were to rearrange the vowels in the former’s name, it would spell Suno. And that’s exactly what one is expected to do.

The song was penned by Javed Akhtar and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. It was five minutes and ten seconds long.  

RFAK met hiS(har)match in Richa

Jag Soona Soona Laage from Om Shanti Om was penned by Kumaar. In fact, the song bears testimony to the lyricist’s versatility. Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani composed it.

It was a collaboration of two Sufi exponents from either side of the border – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Ms Sharma. 

Their Richand powerful voices indeed gave music aficionados a great deal of relief (which one requires after a break-up).

When one listens to this track, which is five minutes and 31 seconds long, he/she wonders why the composers and singers didn’t team up more often.

(Shre)Y(e)a(h), Mr Bhattacharya machaoed dhoom!

Dhoom Taana from Om Shanti Om was penned by Javed Akhtar and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Veteran music director Pyarelal Sharma arranged the song, which was six minutes and fifteen seconds long.

Fans were glad he agreed to do so, because it was A(bhijee)throwback to the Swinging Sixties and the Sizzling Seventies (which was the golden era of Bollywood music).

The track didn’t D(ho)ominate the charts, but Shreya and Mr Bhattacharya (Taa)nailed it. It’s a pity that the composers and the former, who is known for her sweet voice, haven’t collaborated frequently.

This quintet was simply SSSU(pe)R(b)!

Deewangi Deewangi is the shorter (and happier) of the two ‘title tracks’ of Om Shanti Om (if you may call them that). It is five minutes and 54 seconds song.

Penned by Javed Akhtar, it was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

Rahul Saxena, who participated in the first season of Indian Idol, joined Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan and Udit Narayan in singing it.

There was a remixed version of the song, titled Rainbow Mix. It featured the aforementioned quintet, and was considerably shorter – four minutes and 48 seconds long, to be precise.   

Shaan’s wasn’t Dasta(a)ndard title track

Dastaan-E-Om Shanti Om, the title track of Om Shanti Om, was seven minutes and eight seconds long.

It was the peace de resistance of the film, literally and figuratively. Penned by Javed Akhtar, it was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

It was remixed by three disc jockeys (Nikhil Chinapa, Zoheb and Nawed). Aptly titled Dark Mix, it was six minutes and 21 seconds long.

The fans of Shaan, who sang both versions of the song, were thankful that he didn’t say, “I Sha(a)n’t sing it.” He bookedast(h)aan in the pantheon of versatile singers.

Singh Discovered Dard was (Sukh)winderful

Dard-E-Disco, from Om Shanti Om, was four minutes and 31 seconds long.

The lyrics of the song were penned by Javed Akhtar. It was composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

The Sing(h)ers were Sukhwinder, Caralisa Monteiro, Nisha Mascarenhas and Marianne D’Cruz.

The duration of its remixed version was four minutes and 38 seconds.

Many criticised the song. But they eventually had to feel the dard, as it went on to become one of the most popular tracks of the year. In fact, it was nominated in that category at the 2008 Zee Cine Awards.

KK’s nominations were (Aj)absolutely justified

Be it the lyrics, the composition or the rendition, it wouldn’t be incorrect to say that Ajab Si from Om Shanti Om (2007) was ajab well done.

This song, which is four minutes and three seconds long, proved that composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani could KISS (keep it short and simple). It was penned by the former.

But what’s re(Krishnaku)markable was the fact that it earned KK (Kunna)three nominations in the best male playback category in 2008. Unfortunately, he didn’t bag the Screen Award, the Zee Cine Award or the International Indian Film Award.  

This track waS(unid)high on energy

Sunidhi must have been glad when she was offered Sajnaji Vaari Vaari from Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd.

And to say that her fans were delighted when she didn’t say na ji would be an understatement, because it was a refreshing Cha(uha)nge from the singer’s previous collaborations with composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. The latter also sang it.

If one were in the mood to dance his/her vaaries away, he/she could pick this song, which was penned by Javed Akhtar.

Just three minutes and 42 seconds long, it was the shortest song in the movie. 

Ms Chauhan sang with Gaya(tri)bandon

Pyaar Ki Yeh Kahaani Suno from Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd was sung by Sunidhi and Gayatri. (Chauh)And it wouldn't be incorrect to say that both rendered it well.

While the former is one of the most sought-after singers in the Hindi film industry (and rightfully so), it's a pity that the (Ganjawa)latter hasn't got her due.

It was penned by Javed Akhtar and composed by Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani.

The duration of the song is five minutes and 28 seconds. Although it is the longest song in the film, it certainly deserves a (Flam)encore.