Music Review Janleva 555

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…EXPECTATIONS
Ok, so let's not even get into the title of the film since the makers have already stated that Janleva 555 actually carries good contextual relevance. However, even keeping that aside, one isn't overtly excited about knowing what really is in store as far as the film's soundtrack is concerned. Even though this is a content heavy album, what with as many as 14 tracks (including quite a few theme pieces) in there, one is skeptical about what composer Dev Chauhan and lyricist Sanjay Mishra have to offer.

MUSIC
It is an unusual beginning to the album as a minute long musical piece introducing the album's banner, 'House of Pandit', is heard first. It is a decent introduction piece but has no relevance whatsoever as far as the film or audience interest is concerned.

Soon after that arrives the title song 'Janleva Jaanejaana' and while it solves the purpose of being a true blue title song, it also aims at trying to create nostalgia around producer-lead actress Kalpana Pandit's chartbuster item number 'Jaanleva' that was heard in Arjun Rampal's Moksha. She ropes in Tarannum Malik to come up with a forceful rendition but the end product doesn't quite go a notch above ordinary.

What takes the album a notch down though is 'Mann Mann Banjaara' which could well have been a reject even in Laal Dupatta Malmal Ka and Jeena Teri Gali Mein days. An outdated love song with Deepa Narayan and Raja Hasan coming behind the mike and not even attempting to come out of the early 90s warp, this one is further let down some very lukewarm lyrics.

A bunch of new singers, Aditi Paul, Ravi Shukla and Kaushik Aroskar, come together for 'Dil Badla Badla'. A song which is nothing more than a clone of Pritam's 'Abhi Kuch Dino Se' (Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji), right from its core tune to even the choice of instruments, it just doesn't excite you enough to go for a second hearing. Ironically, this is the longest track of them all as it lasts over six minutes.

There is some spark though which is evidenced with a club track 'Fun N Folic'. Basically an instrumental where Arundhati Deshmukh's voice can be just heard in the background as she merely hums around seductively, there is a fusion touch to it as well which at least allows you to hold on to the album for a little more while. Meanwhile Arundhati takes seduction to the next level with 'Sensual Erotica' which is composed by Ameya Naik. With Kalpana expected to get some heat on screen with the film, expect this one to keep the target audience glued to their seats.

However, soon after that the album sees a dip all over again, what with 'Aaona Aaona' not even taking off. A love song which sees Pamela Jain and Ravi Shukla coming together, it tries to have a sweet and simple approach towards the essence of love but the overall arrangements are such that there is no zing whatsoever.

The makers try to do that though with 'Raat Jawan Hai' which starts with the cobra tune, only to go down the pit in first one minute itself. Yet another song which has nothing more to offer than being a 90s leftover, this Pamela Jain and Raja Hasan number is a quick reject variety. Later, a very short instrumental version is heard as 'Cobra Charm' which makes one wonder if the film has anything to do with 'icchadhaari naagin' and stuff alike!

Rapper Bradley G Janke brings a new flavour though with 'Step With Me' which is composed by Padula Tiger. One waits to see how this three minute piece is actually incorporated in the film. Ditto for 4 instrumentals ranging from 40 seconds to 4 minutes that follow. Joy Begnaud Jaegar's written and sung 'Malani Mosh Pit' (what's that actually?) starts with the sound of 'Happy Birthday To You', only before it turns out to be a full length English number. '555 Mystique' lives to its name though and has an intriguing sound that could well be heard during the opening credits title roll.

Though 'Rolling Thrill' is hardly thrilling, there is some peppy element that comes in with 'Car Lounge' which promises some happy moments in the film. One does hope that indeed is the case.

OVERALL
Though theme pieces still promise some value add in the film's narrative, the songs are a complete no-show.

OUR PICK(S)
Sensual Erotica, 555 Mystique, Car Lounge

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more