Aasma – The sky is the limit

If not for the youthful exuberance that one of the key songs from Aasma carries, this soundtrack may have just about gone completely unnoticed. A film that has an almost new cast, Asmaa is releasing without any mega publicity. Still, the frames carry a neat look to them, something that gets the film some amount of visibility. With hopes of a young soundtrack, courtesy the look of the film that gives an impression of a youthful outing, one plays on Asmaa that has music by Afsar-Sajid with lyrics by Shahab Allahabadi. Surprisingly singers are not credited on the inlay card of Asmaa but one doesn’t mind that once the music begins. It throws a pleasant surprise and remains interesting for its near 45 minutes duration. 

The sky is the limit First track to come is ‘Ye Pal’ that follows the route of ‘there will always be happy times ahead’ route. With Xulfi (Call – The band) at the helm of affairs, ‘Ye Pal’ conveys a sense of hope and happiness and boasts of some good mix of rhythm and melody that makes it instantly catchy. It scores in all three vital departments – singing, music and lyrics – and turns out to be an enjoyable track that impresses once again in its ‘Club Mix’ version as well. This is the very track that was the point of attraction in the first place and does well in its entirety. Next to come is the title song Asmaa that is set as a campus rock track. Crooned by Shaan who pairs up with K.K. and Mahalaxmi, this one is a tad predictable but still not something that you would really mind giving a hearing. Maintaining a consistent rhythm throughout only to gather momentum towards the end, this number is about scaling the heights. A lively track, this one also comes in a ‘Club Mix’ version. However, it is the ‘sad version’ that catches your attention since it lasts exactly 9 minutes. All set to be heard at multiple junctures in the film’s narrative while appearing in bits and pieces, this Kailash Kher crooned number makes for a good situational piece. Best track of the album is heard next once Rahat Fateh Ali Khan joins the show.

He gets into the ‘Main Jahaan Rahoon’ [Namastey London] mode while crooning ‘Man Bawra’ and is excellent yet again in this melodious track that is based on Indian classical music. A love song, this one too carries the word Asmaa but in a different context altogether. Soothing to the ears and the kind you would want to play on at a stretch, this sole number (along with ‘Ye Pal’) could well be worthy enough for the price of the CD. The ‘Lounge Mix’ version which comes later only acts an icing on the cake. The music arrangements are quite well done here and you know that on your next visit to a lounge, you would expect this number to play on. ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ winner Debojit pairs with Mahalaxmi for ‘Chalte Rahein’ which is yet another inspirational number in the album after ‘Ye Pal’ and Aasma. Pretty contemporary in its outlook and yet another number with a campus backdrop to it, ‘Chalte Rahein’ is in a mode similar to that of the aforementioned songs from rhythm and melody standpoint as well. A kind of track which is bound to have a smile on the face of every actor who would be lip synching to the lyrics, ‘Chalte Rahein’ should do well for the film’s narrative. Asmaa is a decent soundtrack that should keep the momentum on for the film. If the narrative is as lively and positive as the music here, Asmaa could well be an interesting film to watch out for.