It seems to have become the wont of film directors these days to try out as many music directors as possible for their films. It is not unknown to find three or four composers giving music for a film as 'guest' composers. Director Apoorva Lakhia does the same for his film Mission Istanbul. He had previously done this for Shootout At Lokhandwala as well. The current album of Mission Istanbul has not one, but four music composers, beginning with Anu Malik, and then going on to Mika Singh, Shamir Tandon and newcomer Chirantan Bhatt. Maybe, that day isn't far away when an enterprising producer might decide to employ different directors for different portions of the film. But to come back to Mission Istanbul, it is feast of all kinds of sounds, all musical of course. The ones who acquit themselves really well are the veteran Anu Malik, newcomer Bhatt, and to an extend Mika.
The album begins with Bhatt's Mission Mission, with lyrics by Hamza Faruqui, who also lends his vocals to the song. This opening song begins with a bang. This loud and energetic number literally sets the floor on fire. Humza literally blasts out this number. The high energy effect is maintained with the high octave music provided by the composer. The only problem is that the number tends to get a little too noisy in places. Otherwise a highly enjoyable number.
Bhatt's next number on the album is 'Nobody Likes You' sung by Neeraj Sridhar, Anushka DJ Ishq Bector. This is a romantic number which has been penned by Humza and Bector. It carries that same high voltage feel to it along with some funky elements.. The remixed version of this song has even more tadka to it. 'Nobody Likes You' is a really peppy number and should go down well on the dance floors.
Anu Malik makes his entry into the album with the number 'Jo Ghumshuda' sung by Shaan, Mahalakshmi Iyer and Ege. Malik continues his tryst with melody and delivers the best track of this album. This is a number which has been excellently written by Sameer and Ege and sung superbly by Shaan and Mahalaksmi. The number incorporates touches of Turkish music, the effect of which is enhanced by the use of Ege's voice. The remixed version too carries the same magic. It is the romantic number of this album and Malik is a master at invoking just the right mood with his deft handling of the music.
Malik continues with the good work in the next number 'Yaar Mera Dildaara'. The song has been sung by Javed Ali and Sunidhi Chauhan and has been written by Sameer. Malik attempts a fusion here as well and excels in that department. The song has a certain soft poignancy about it which is brought out wonderfully by Javed Ali's vocals. Sunidhi is, as always, wonderful. She gets an opportunity in this number to use her vocals to their optimum.
The third music composer Shamir Tandon makes his presence felt with the racy,'World Hold On' the lyrics of which have been written by Shabbir Ahmed. The number has been belted out by Kunal Ganjawala and his wife Gayatri Ganjawala, along with Raaj. Tandon makes full use of electronic sounds thus, giving the number a thumping, vigorous feel. The rest of the job is accomplished by the singers. Both Kunal and Gayatri excel in their rendition. The remixed version of this song remixed by DJ Nawed and Nikhil Chinappa, is even more pulsating than the original.
Mika Singh, who had belted out the hugely popular 'Ganpat' number in Lakhia's Shootout At Lokhandwala, makes his appearance with 'Apun', almost taking off from where he left in the previous film. It is loud, and has visible elements of hip hop and reggae in it.
The music of 'Mission Istanbul' is action packed, quite like the film itself. It is racy, pulsating, and its numbers should work well on the dance floors. Of the four music directors, newcomer Chirantan Bhatt seems to hold promise. But the true winner is the old war horse, Anu Malik. He seems to back in his groove these days, and his tryst with melody continues untarnished.