Irrfan Khan and Priyanka Chopra in 7 Khoon Maaf

When the lyricist-composer team of films like Maachis, Omkara and Ishqiya comes out with a new soundtrack, you expect the world. All the more so because Vishal Bhardwaj only composes for films from his production house and Gulzar usually writes only when Vishal sets the tune. That makes 7 Khoon Maaf one of the most eagerly awaited OSTs of the year. Here’s a quick sound check....

 

Darling

The big bomb of the album! Based on the Russian folk song Kalinka, which has been used in other Bolly tracks (remember Pyaar mein sau uljhanein hain in Kyun! Ho Gaya Na...?), this one is one boisterous celebration of love sung with aplomb by Rekha Bhardwaj and Usha Uthup (who also has a vital role in the film). Darling — or rather Darrrrrrling — is the Dhan te nan of 7 Khoon Maaf.

Bekaraan

Vishal takes the microphone himself and that maybe one of the reasons why this beautifully penned song sounds too much like saathi re from Omkara. What stays with you are the rare words Gulzar uses in a Bollywood song, like bekaraan and lillah.

’Mama

From Urdu poetry to all-out rock, the album now changes course because of the different husbands Priyanka Chopra has to meet and kill. This one is a standard rock number sung with a lot of heart by K.K.

Awaara

The album gets wilder with Master Saleem crooning this track that has a predominantly Sufi feel. The highlight of the number is the sitar solo in the interlude by Niladri Kumar.

Tere liye

Vishal goes back to his favourite Suresh Wadkar to sing what is the standout ballad of the soundtrack. Powered by lyrics that can melt the hardest of hearts, this one just takes you over and doesn’t let go. Sample this: Halki si sardiyan aur saans garam ho; Shaamon ki shawl bhi, thodi si narm ho; Tere liye kishmish chune, piste chune, tere liye; Humne toh parindon se baagon ke saude kiye.

Dil Dil hai

Suraj Jagan on the mike always means a lot of noise. Unfortunately it’s just noise. Vishal, who had composed the brilliant Sar jhuka khuda hoon main for Anurag Kashyap’s unreleased Paanch, seems ill at ease with the rock tracks here.

Yeshu

The mastery of Vishal is at work here as he pops in an eerily haunting song straight out of a Bees Saal Baad score. Rekha Bhardwaj’s rustic voice and seductive singing do the rest. Listen to Yeshu more than once till it grows on you.

Doosri Darling

A choral version of Darling, this one’s noisier but more fun. Hearing this you wonder why Usha Uthup is overlooked by other Bolly music directors.

Bottomline

7 Khoon Maaf lives up to every expectation you have from a Vishal Bhardwaj-Gulzar OST. There’s something for everyone — romantic die-hards, rock fans, disc hoppers.