MUSIC REVIEW: Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif have benefited from the chartbusting music in most of their films. In fact the entire buzz around Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is all thanks to its fresh pair - as both Ranbir and Katrina are immesenly popular with urban audiences. And then there is Pritam, who will be expected to score some sensational tracks for this gorgeous couple.

And boy, he begins with a bang!!! There is not a single dull moment in Main Tera Dhahdkan Teri. KK, Sunidhi Chauhan and Hard Kaur go all out in this instantly catchy number. This one should be an audio-visual treat on the big screen. After Bachna Ae Haseeno this is one track that gives Ranibr immense scope to show off his dancing skills. Katrina on the other hand is looking her sexiest best in the sporty video on air. Energetic beats and some spunky picturisation make this song a winner.

Tu Jaane Na has a breezy old world charm to it. Singer Atif Aslam makes a sincere effort to bring some variation to his otherwise predictable voice. The result is a pleasing, romantic number that's very easy on the ears. Pritam spins a mesmerizing fusion of qawwali and Pakistani Pop. There are two more versions to the same song. One by Kailash-Paresh–Naresh and other by Soham-Rana Mazumdar-Aashish Pandit. By the time you are done with third version you might not remember the voices, but the tune hooks you completely.

After Kambakkht Ishq yet another number spoofs the traditional wedding tune. Oh By God begins like a routine Sunidhi Chauhan solo number. But soon Mika joins the proceedings and takes the fun to another level. Oh By God is a full on commercial number that would have found instant place in a Salman Khan flick. It would be interesting to watch Ranbir and Katrina let their hair down to this mix of shenai and bhangra.

Pritam changes the mood with Atif and Alisha Chinoy's Tu Jo Mila. A soft duet with an innocent feel to it, Tu Jo Mila has an addictive melody that stays with you for long. This one's high on the cuteness quotient. While Aatif takes care of the higer notes, Alisha is unusually restraint.

Neeraj Shridhar's Prem Ki Naiyaa has the singer enthusiastically confess his love to the world. A trademark filmy number - this one is a peppy listen. If Ranbir Kapoor gets the tapaori expressions right, it could take the song to new heights.

Follow Me is a quintessential Hard Kaur item song. Lots of Punjabi Hinglish mixed with Hip Hop. While it could make for a sensuous video with Katrina Kaif, the song as such is quite blah.

Javed Ali's Aa Jaao doesn't impress initially. But as it progresses, the haunting melody and passionate signing transform the song into an unbelievable one. Javed Ali's voice and Pritam's lavish arrangements remind you of Naqaab's Ek Din (ironically produced by the same team). But those similarities aside Aa Jaao is high on romance.

Judging purely by their conventional lyrics, a lot of the song situations seem straight out of the romantic 90s. But it's the spontaneous energy throughout the album makes you overlook the commercial trappings.And since the producers own a music company, each song features in multiple versions. The remixes are high on techno-loops, but the basic feel of the numbers remains the same. In days to come they will only enhance the hit potential of each number.

Pritam deserves full marks for composing an extremely lively album. He is a true successor to Anu Malik, who once dished out chartbusters with amazing consistency.

Verdict: Foot tapping compositions, spirited singing and instantly humable tunes should find huge acceptance. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is a huge surprise. It's one of the liveliest albums of the season with some sure shot chartbusters. This one has its commercial ambitions in place.

Rating: 3.5/5