'Chandni Chowk To China' is entertaining (IANS Music Review)

Film: 'Chandni Chowk To China'; Music Director: Kailash Kher, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Naresh, Paresh, Bappi Lahiri, Bohemia; Lyricist: Kailash Kher, Rajat Arora, Bohemia; Singer: Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Bohemia, Kailash Kher, Akshay Kumar, Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka Manchanda and Ravi K. Tripathi; Rating : ***1/2

It seems director Nikhil Advani doesn't want to leave any stone unturned to make 'Chandni Chowk To China' a blockbuster. So, he roped in a host of composers - Kailash Kher, Naresh, Paresh, Bohemia, Shanker-Ehsaan-Loy and Bappi Lahiri to churn out lilting music for his film. Most of the composers have produced unique compositions and given the album an edge.

The title track begins with a typical Chinese tune and maintains this at patches. Along with this is merged a very Indian touch as well as a slight hip-hop tinge. Though all this might sound like a disaster in the making, 'Chandni Chowk To China' turns out to be quite an entertainer. The track is extremely enjoyable and is an appropriate title piece. The rendition by Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka Manchanda and Shankar is superb, not to forget Rajat Arora's lyrics.

A very non-commercial track comes in the form of 'Chak lein de'. Kailash Kher, who has composed this number along with Naresh and Paresh, has also rendered and written the piece. The track carries a lot of power, shown through the beats and Kher's rendition. The singer deserves credit for inspiring lyrics.

'India se aaya tera dost' is based 1970s popular number 'Bombay se aaya mera dost' from 'Aap Ki Khatir', which was composed by Bappi Lahiri. But this new version stands nowhere in comparison to the older piece, despite the fact that Bappi Lahiri has composed the tunes and sung it as well. Neither is his rendition interesting nor the musical arrangements appealing.

Kailash returns with 'S.I.D.H.U.', a narrative about the protagonist, Sidhu. Though the track may not appeal immediately to listeners because it doesn't have a zany feel, yet the song grows on you soon with its very Indian wrapping. The tabla and Kher's voice give the track a very nice effect. Once again the lyrics have been written by Kailash.

A pure melody comes in the form of 'Tere naina' composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. The pairing of Shankar and Shreya Ghoshal is simply fabulous and one would love to hear it again and again. Rajat's lyrics are another reason why one would love to hear this romantic track repeatedly. 'Tere naina' is simple, melodic and extremely appealing to the ears.

All in all, the album of 'Chandni Chowk To China' is a sure shot entertainer.

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