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Review

Tired score for an action remake

Aaghaz shows Anu Malik overworked. Some time off is what his doctor might advise

Aaghaz
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Rs 45

Aaghaz stars Sunil Shetty, Namrata Shirodkar and Sushmita Sen. It's a remake of a Telugu film. D Rama Naidu, the Andhra film tycoon, is the producer of the Hindi version too. It's about a man who won't stand around doing nothing when there's injustice, so you could call it an action thriller.

Anu Malik seems inspired by so many varying styles that he delivers a confused mishmash. One minute you think Dosti ho gayi is in the style of the Mast title song. The orchestral texture is identical, and Sunidhi Chauhan and Sonu Nigam attempt the same style of pop graces. There is even a steam engine hoot, as in the Mast number! And then suddenly the song lapses into the ubiquitous dholak-accompanied inanity that we find in every other film song. Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi overdo the eeh-s and ooh-s to the point of meaninglessness.

Dil ko pathar begins in Hollywood style, silk-smooth violins. The beginning has no heavy drumming on, only a tambourine keeping time, a guitar strumming gently, a flute weaving in and out, and later heavy violins. Then the R D Burman-inspired song comes on. Reminded me of the orchestral make-up of the title song in Satte pe Satte. Alka Yagnik and Kumar Sanu sound unconvincing.

Mann tera mera mann has Babul Supriyo and Alka Yagnik singing an old tune and beating it into an even more faded version. The orchestra droops away in a tired formula of piano, violins and chorus in Hindi film style.

An intense alaap bodes well for Aaghaz karo but aggressive violins and a march-like quality take over. Sonu Nigam tries to remain tender, but the orchestra is loud and a cliched chorus blares out. A pakhawaj interlude is the highlight of the song. It seems rather readymade these days -- every music director puts in "ethnic" drums with no thought of fusing it or achieving a special sound.

The Indian marriage, or rather the Punjabi marriage, has graduated! It has become self-refexive and introduces itself in rap style. Hema Sardesai, Sunidhi Chauhan, Kumar Sanu and Rahul sing Nau nau lakha. Sunidhi sounds unsure and Hema does not shine either. Both seem uncomfortable in this pitch and in a song which drags its feet in the same octave, with no movement.

Sonu Nigam and Hema Sardesai singDil dil dilseparately on side A and B. This seems to be a take-off on some Biddu song with disco beats and stylish bass. This song never takes off and is very poor pop. Jaise bhi chaho jeeyo is what Sonu sings. An instrumental version of Mann tera mera mann ends side B.

S Suchitra Lata

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