Music Review : Phir Hera Pheri
Ramshastra, Kartoos, Hera Pheri, Awara Paagal Deewana, Aan - Men At Work and Deewane Huye Paagal - What's common between all these films? Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who has always believed in giving his directors a larger than life canvas! What's the other common factor? Music director Anu Malik, who has more often than not given the kind of music that a Nadiadwala film warrants! But with 'Phir Hera Pheri', there is a slight shift in plan as composer Anu Malik is replaced by current numero-uno Himesh Reshammiya to come up with the film's music. No wonder, it doesn't come as a surprise to see as many as 3 tracks sung by Reshammiya himself as Akbar Sami churns out a remix for each of the 6 tracks in the film. Also, when there is Reshammiya, lyricist Sameer is bound to be the one doing all the writing and same happens in case of this 'Hera Pheri' sequel that stars the usual suspects Akshay Kumar, Suneil Shetty and Paresh Rawal along with Bipasha Basu and Rimmi Sen.On you mark. Get. Set. And Go! Welcome Reshammiya who goes hip hop this time for 'Yaad Sataye Teri' and guess what, delivers in this genre as well! A smooth sailing number set at a decent pace, it gets your neck in motion as you hear a Reshammiya number for an umpteenth time in the course of your normal day. If you have loved Himesh compositions of last six months, you are certainly going to enjoy this one too. As expected, DJ Akbar Sami's added zing further spices up the song that moves at a much faster pace in its remix version and rocks the show in a big way. Not surprisingly, it turns out to be much more entertaining and makes this hip-hop number into a full fledged dance number. Enjoy! Reshammiya singing 'Ae Meri Zohrajabeen'? Is that really possible? Well, don't rub your eyes in disbelief as that's what exactly happens when Sameer comes up with his own lines while keeping the opening words intact from the classic track in 'Waqt'. The song is rendered in a high pitch by Reshammiya as he composes this rhythmic dance track that has all it takes to be yet another hit for him. Musical arrangements are made of an excellent fusion of Western and Indian instruments that give an edge to this song that has potential to be popular. A spiced up number that makes you look forward to the high-on-energy remix by DJ Akbar Sami, one wonders why was this song not chosen over 'Mujhko Yaad Sataye Teri' for the kick start of the album's promotion? Tulsi Kumar, who has already given a couple of hits with Reshammiya ['Mohabbat Ki' -Aksar, Title song - 'Humko Deewana Kar Gaye'] arrives with Reshammiya for the first duet of the album 'Dil Nayyiyo Maane Re'. Purists may have all the reasons to say that the song is in the same style as numerous other Reshammiya numbers but his fans certainly won't be complaining as he delivers exactly what he promises and what his fans expect! The song is in succession to the numerous love songs composed by him in 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne', 'Aksar' and 'Aap Ka Surroor' and 'Dil Nayyiyo Maane Re' continues to keep his flag high. Starting off with high pitch, for certain unexplained reasons, he suddenly knocks on the Bappi Lahiri territory at places, that makes you wonder if that was really required. Nevertheless, Tulsi Kumar, who gives good company to Reshammiya, can be rest assured that her work won't go unnoticed as the song is one of those kinds that should keep the music channels busy, both in the original and Sami's zingy remixed version! Sonu Nigam, Shaan and Rakesh Upadhyay get together for the theme song 'Phir Hera Pheri' that it interspersed with the tinkling sound of coins. A fast paced fun song that is about the three prime protagonists in the film who lust after money and can do some 'hera pheri' again to get more of it, it is situational and should have some of its parts appearing as a part of film's background score or some critical junctures in the film. Also, expect a grand choreography for the song in true Nadiadwala style. Anyone who follows English music would be able to relate to the beginning of 'Dil De Diya' where Sunidhi Chauhan's crooning is a clear lift from a popular western track. Kunal Ganjawala joins her in this love duet that has a melody of the mid/late 90s and in fact sounds more like a Anu Malik track than Himesh Reshammiya's. There is a bit of rap-n-reggae too [that is rather unnecessary] but overall the song still manages to pass muster. Both Kunal and Sunidhi sing in a high pitch here and it’s their spirited rendering that helps the number go on smoothly, though there is nothing new in the song to talk home about. One factor that may not make the song noticeable if the choreography is done in a lavish and eye candy manner. The title itself of Sunidhi Chauhan's 'Pyaar Ki Chatni' suggests to be made for the gallery as the opening shifts from a 'bhajan' setting to 'dhinchaak' beats a la the signature beats of Laxmikant Pyaarelal's '1 2 Ka 4' from 'Ram Lakhan'. A song that seems to be designed as a 'nautanki' number, it turns out to be exactly as one expected, i.e. aimed at a specific gentry. Watch out for the lyrical gems that go as: "Dil Ke Pudine Ka Ras Tapka De, Thodi Si Chaahat Ki Mirchi Milade; Madhoshiyon Ki Ilaychi Girake, Tu Narm Ungli Se Mujhko Chakhade'A situational item song picturized on Dia Mirza, it can easily be given an easy skip and best forgotten once the album is over, be it in the original or the remixed version that has an overdose of the word 'chatni' interspersed throughout the song. 'Phir Hera Pheri' has 3 foot tapping numbers; all sung by Himesh Reshammiya ['Mujhko Yaad Sataye Teri', 'Ae Meri Zohrajabeen' and 'Dil Nayyiyo Maane Re'], a couple of average tracks ['Dil De Diya', title song] and an apology of a song 'Pyaar Ki Chatni'. If you have already become a Himesh Reshammiya worshipper by now, then the first three songs (along with their remixed versions by DJ Akbar Sami] should be good enough reasons for you to enjoy the album of 'Phir Hera Pheri' for a few weeks to come. But a super success like 'Aksar', 'Aap Ka Surroor', '36 China Town' or a 'Tom Dick and Harry' is ruled out.