Sadiyaan 2010 Music Review

There was a time when the name 'Raj Kanwar' spelt success. During the 90s and the beginning of the decade to follow, he had an almost cent percent record with numerous jubilee hits under his belt. Music of his films was much anticipated as well with his last couple of films - Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006) and Andaaz (2003) - boasting of chartbuster soundtracks. However, the man chose to take a break as a result of which his Sadiyaan is now arriving after a long gap. In the meanwhile, the industry has seen a change and the kind of music which worked in the past don’t necessarily enjoy similar patronage today. This is the reason why one is a little cautious before playing on Sadiyaan, especially because the man at the helm of affairs, Adnan Sami, hasn't enjoyed much success as a Bollywood composer since his first major affair - Lucky - No Time For Love (2005). Sameer writes and Amjad Islaam Amjad is the guest lyricist.

MUSIC
Trademark Adnan Sami beats welcome 'Jadu Nasha, Ehsas Kya' which instantly takes one to the 90s. While the First Look of Sadiyaan had pretty much given a hint of the flavour, mood and setting of the film, the sound of 'Jadu Nasha, Ehsas Kya' coupled with its mushy lyrics pretty much establish that Raj Kanwar has adopted a route similar to that of 90s in his latest offering. This duet by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal isn't bad; it is just that one wonders whether today's audience would still fall in love with such old world outing.

Guest lyricist Amjad Islaam Amjad writes 'Taron Bhari Hai Ye Raat Sajan' which continues to ensure that the album stays on in the comfort zone that Raj Kanwar has enjoyed for most part of his career. Adnan Sami himself comes behind the mike with Sunidhi Chauhan next to him and together they create a romantic track that does have the elements of 60s in it. The beginning of this song isn't bad but the moment you get to hear the word 'dholna', you know the route that 'Taron Bhari Hai Ye Raat Sajan' is taking. With heavy duty lyrics like 'Sargoshiyo Ke Kya Silsile Hai' staring hard from the album cover, you wonder if the makers really believed that songs like such would be hummed around by the listeners. At best, this song crooned by Raja Hasan and Shreya Ghoshal turns out to be a harmless tune that moves at a slow pace and reminds one of the 'sugam sangeet' days of the 80s/90s where a (small set of) live orchestra played along as the singers came up with animated expressions behind the mike.

First solo track comes in the form of 'Dekha Tujhay Jo Pehli Baar' which has Shaan trying to get all mushy and romantic in spite of ordinary (and often heard before) lyrics at his disposal. Yet another 90s number where one can well imagine a Salman Khan to be serenading a Priety Zinta or a Rani Mukerjee, 'Dekha Tujhay Jo Pehli Baar' does actually sound good, even though it is a decade too late.

Mika creates some space for himself as he gets into a Punjabi bhangra outing with 'Man Mouji Matwala'. The shortest track in the album which lasts a mere 4 minutes (quite less when compared to other songs that last 6, 7 or even 8 minutes), 'Man Mouji Matwala' is foot tapping enough to bring some excitement in the album. With 'Dekha Tujhay Jo Pehli Baar' and 'Man Mouji Matwala' coming in quick succession, there is an added credibility gained by Sadiyaan.

After a 'bhangra' track, the next to arrive is 'Sona Lagdha... Mahi Sona Lagdha' where Richa Sharma and Sabri Brothers come together. It's back to square one for Sadiyaan as it comfortably slips back into the 90s. Adnan Sami attempts at bringing in some Western fusion to this Sufi track that doesn't harm the album but still keeps the listener waiting for that 'special' song.

Sadiyaan gets a distinct 'Adnan Sami touch' with 'Pehla Pehla Tejurba Hai' taking a fun route. Kunal Ganjawala and Sunidhi Chauhan pair up for this love track that tries to get all youthful and energetic but ends up being barely passable. Yes, it is spirited but just like most of the other tracks in the album, this one too doesn't quite go the whole distance.

Finally comes a situational track, 'Waqt Ne Jo Bij Boyaa', which has Rekha Bhardwaj singing for a mother. A number that can well be expected to play right across the duration of the film, this one is the longest of the lot and just falls short of its running length of 9 minutes.

OVERALL
There is nothing to be hated about in the album but there is no single number as well which comes with a chartbuster appeal. There is a strong 90s flavour in this Adnan Sami soundtrack that falls short of bringing in anything that would be as memorable as some of the songs from the films made by Raj Kanwar. As indicated earlier, the soundtrack of Sadiyaan is stuck in a time warp, something which ironically stays true to the film's title.