MUSIC REVIEW: Jannat is a winner

After rendering double duds in the form of Showbiz and Dhoka, the Bhatt camp has gone back to their Gangster man Pritam. And it seems Bhatt or no Bhatt, Pritam just can't go wrong these days. Plagiarism issues left aside, Pritam has suddenly become the new hit machine on the Bollywod music scene.

Listen: Jannat songs

Which brings us to Jannat... It is an Emraan Hashmi film based on the match-fixing racket. Going by the initial promos, Bhatts are not trying to make Emraan act (that attempt misfired in Awarapan) but making him do what he is best at. The serial kisser is back.

Jannat opens with KK number called Zara Sa. It takes off from where Tu Hi Mere Shab (Gangster) and Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai (Woh Lamhe) left. You've heard the sound before, but KK's singing and Pritam's familiar yet soothing melody are enough to get you hooked on to the track. While one expects a fast paced-remix version of the track later in album, what you get instead is a slow power ballad that's more jazz than electronica. Quite a change from what Pritam has done for previous Bhatt albums.

With KK doing his bit, how can the Pakistani sound be far behind in a Bhatt film? Another wannabe Aatif, Kamraan Ahmed croons Judaai. Kamraan thankfully doesn't screech and the song manages to get out of the Woh Lamhe mould (not the film, but the trend setting track from Zeher). Judaai gets a kilogram mix – which should most likely be Emraan's promotional music video. This one's high on techno beats and one must admit is catchier than the slower version.

Hey just a minute! Judaai has a female version too. Sung by Richa Sharma, this one sounds a bit like Vishal-Shekhar's Rabba from Musafir. The resemblance is more in the singing (both were sung by the same voice) than the composition. Sharma who is known for her high-pitched folk numbers, is remarkably restrained in this song.

PICS: Emraan's a bookie in Jannat

KK returns with Haan Tu Hain which is a blend of Nadeem Shravan and Pritam. The dholak brings back memories of those romantic ballads N-S composed for the Bhatts in the 90s. But the chorus is on a completely different note, with guitars and English hooks. Haan Tu Hain should make an even stronger impact on screen, if placed well in the plot.