Music Review Himmatwala

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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One expects a thoroughly entertaining score with a good touch of old world charm from the music of Himmatwala. In fact director Sajid Khan had set the stage clear at the very onset of the film's promotion when he unveiled 'Naino Mein Sapna'. With a clear sense of nostalgia being conveyed, the song pretty much promised that overall soundtrack would stay on to be mass friendly as well. This is what also goes with the core essence of this remake which has a couple of original songs by Bappi Lahiri being retained with Sajid-Wajid and Sachin-Jigar completing rest of the album.

MUSIC

Himmatwala gets a terrific kick-start for itself with 'Naino Mein Sapna' arriving at the very beginning. Right from the live orchestra to the overall arrangements to the kind of pace which is maintained in this Bappi Lahiri composed song, one knows that this is a huge chartbuster which has only returned to turn even bigger for the current generation. It is not just the core essence of this Indeewar written song which is maintained but also the fact that Amit Kumar has been roped in bring on the desired magic. He is just terrific and one has to bow in appreciation of the singer who should definitely be singing much more often. No wonder, even though Shreya Ghoshal does really well in this full-on-fun number, it is Amit Kumar's voice that one takes home. From 'Dil Mein Baji Guitar' [Apna Sapna Money Money] to this, the man continues to rock.

Another man who continues to rock is Mika Singh. He gets the essence right for 'Taki Taki', yet another number from the original Himmatwala which is brought to the fore here. He is clearly having a lot of fun behind the mike for this immensely foot tapping number by Bappi Lahiri and Indeewar. Moreover, with Shreya Ghoshal proving once again that she is the reigning queen of Bollywood musical scene as far as versatility is concerned, 'Taki Taki' turns out to be equally entertaining as 'Naino Mein Sapna'. While Mika is very good, one just feels that it would have been a double whammy if only Amit Kumar would have sung this as well.

Nevertheless one moves on to the original numbers in the album and it is an item number that arrives first. To give due credit to this Sajid-Wajid composition, 'Dhoka Dhoka' actually turns out to be yet another catchy number with a quintessential Bollywood item number with a strong Indian flavour to it. Moreover the kind of arrangements that are put together for this well paced numbers are on the same lines as 'Aa Re Pritam Pyaare' [Rowdy Rathore] and 'Fevicol' [Dabangg 2].

With Mamta Sharma holding the stage and Sunidhi Chauhan joining her as well, this Sameer Anjaan written number (with words from various Indian languages) also fits in well in the 80s milieu. Moreover with Bappi Lahiri joining the proceedings, there is all the more spice added, what with his entry reminding of another Amit Kumar number 'Ye Zameen Gaa Rahi Hai' [Teri Kasam].

The one that follows is basically targeted at kids, what with lyrics like 'Bum Pe Laat' being sung with a childish charm by Shaan. A situational song about the protagonist motivating children in his neighbourhood not to get troubled by those in power, it has Soham Mukherji and Shubh Mukherji joining in the chorus. This short number with lyrics by Sameer-Anjaan lasts a mere 150 odd seconds and is principally a simple composition given its stage and setting. Though it doesn't carry enough ammunition to cover an added distance, it may just fit in well with the film's narrative.

For 'Thank God It's Friday', which is seemingly simple in its presentation, one can well believe that it must have been a tough task for Sachin-Jigar to actually recreate the 'Disco Station' [Hathkadi] magic from the 80s. Each and every player in the song contributes, right from Mayur Puri who writes the kind of lyrics that remind of Western tracks from the 80s, Sachin-Jigar who get it perfectly right when it comes to the basic tune as well as arrangements (the disco mood with a crystal ball presence can't be sensed in the air), Sunidhi Chauhan who is just perfect behind the mike and Sonakshi Sinha who gets the entire 'ada' right. A winner!

OVERALL

The soundtrack of Himmatwala, as expected, turns out to be entertaining indeed. Right from the original tracks to the new compositions, there is a spunk that one evidences in this album which lasts close to 20 minutes. Sajid Khan, right from the Heyy Babyy days, has ensured that his films carry the kind of music which is simple, is instantly catchy and turns out to be popular amongst the masses. Himmatwala should be no different.

OUR PICK(S)

Naino Mein Sapna, Taki Taki, Thanks God Its Friday, Dhoka Dhoka

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more