Music Review: Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi

Call them regressive, call them old fashioned, call them predictable! But you can't deny the fact that Rajshri Productions has a loyal fan base that goes way beyond your sec-A multiplex crowd. And given the record-breaking collections of their last venture Vivaah, Rajshri man Sooraj Barjatya seems to be following in the footsteps of Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar (ironically the two are self confessed fans of the Sooraj's cinematic sensibilities). Barjatya has turned producer with Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi which is not directed by him but one of his assistants Kaushik Ghatak.

While there seems to be a deliberate attempt to highlight the references to Vivaah in the packaging of this film, the makers have also repeated music director Ravindra Jain for the soundtrack. So one is sure to expect a score minus remixes and hip hop beats. Does it appeal? Well Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi has 11 tracks sung by Suresh Wadkar, Shaan and Shreya Ghosal. Most of the tracks come across as situational numbers that should work better on screen as in the case of most Rajshri films.

The lyrics are Rajshri material with ample talk of pehla pehla pyaar, maa baap ki seva and pooja path. And the sound is laden with dholaks, sitars and flutes. Which is exactly how the first track Mujhme Zinda Hai… opens. A few seconds into the album and you are convinced you are listening to an extension of Vivaah. This Shaan-Shreya song comes in two versions and sounds like a left over from the previous film and makes for a dull opening song.

Dekhe Akele…is melodious track about a young girl on dreaming of marriage. Shreya does a fine job as her voice has an innocence that works very well in songs of this genre. Remember Barso Se... from Guru?

Suresh Wadkar's Mandir Hai Ghar… is a soulful bhajan that is so suited for Rajshri's resident screen fathers Alok Nath and Anupam Kher. Dono Nibhayein Apna Dharam… is an extremely well worded song on life after marriage and though Suresh Wadkar shares credits with Shaan and Shreya, the veteran's class stands out. Easily the pick of the album. The music and lyrics in this song bring back memories of Hum Aapke Hai Koun.

Banna Banni…is as the song says a traditional Banna geet, the ones sung by ladies during the sangeet of a North Indian wedding. Shaan's Kya Soch Ke Aaye The…is another melodious number (okay I am using this word too often now) that is more suited for a Shahid Kapoor than Sonu Sood.

Lo Ji Hum Aa Gaye… is a baraati number that should perhaps appear as a turning point in the film, as there is talk about the groom not arriving on time. The song closes with a dramatic chorus and increased tempo and we know something's going to happen on screen. But for such an important point in the plot, it is not a great sounding number. Though effective picturisation could tell a different story.