'Gali Gali Chor Hai'; Some Music, And Quite Some 'Shor'
2/5
By Movie Talkies.com, 01 February 2012
Last year saw Anu Malik score an early hit in January with his contribution to the Deol-starrer 'Yamla Pagla Deewana'. Though not quite a monster hit, 'Tinku Jiya' got a fair few feet tapping with its infectious rhythm and groove. It was a success that Malik needed, given that his last big release before that came years earlier, in 2006's 'Jaan-E-Mann'. Now, this year, 'Chhanno' in tow, Malik is looking for success again with the 'Gali Gali Chor Hai' soundtrack, though whether he finds it or not, is still in question.
'Gali Gali Chor Hai' is a social satire on corruption penned and directed by Rumi Jafry, with Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran and Mugdha Godse in starring roles. For Malik's soundtrack, lyrical contributions are made by Rahat Indori and Swanand Kirkire.
The combination of Kailash Kher's vocals and Rahat Indori's lyrics make for a great combination on 'Gali Gali Chor Hai's title track. In keeping with the small town settings, the track takes the folk route in its melody too, shehnais, harmoniums and dholaks galore. The track recreates a qawalli type setting, with several voices, including that of music director Anu Malik, added in for the 'wah wah's. The main reason the track holds one's attention, though, is because of Indori's satirical, comical lyrics, which take a no-holds-barred swing at the country's systemic corruption, with lines like 'yeh topi, yeh dhoti, yeh kurte paijame, sab inke natak hain, sab inke drame.' To add to the effect, Malik works in the orchestral tune of the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', for pathos, before going back to the main theme for a final burst of energy from Kher.
The title track, 'gali gali chor hai' is featured in two more versions, one a full-blown remix from the Future Sounds Of Bombay, and the other, a choral reprise titled 'gali gali shor hai'. The remix works effectively, adding synth beats, whistles and a nicely done hinglish rap section that picks on the same subjects as Rahat Indori's lyrics. The choral version is just a simple forty five second piece whose lyrics play on a positive end for the film by recasting the main refrain.
Anu Malik's own daughter, Anmol Malik features alongside Mohit Chauhan on the romantic 'suno suno'. The light pop duet sees Chauhan in his element, even though Anmol doesn't quite fit in. Perhaps a Shreya Ghoshal would have been a better pick for this breezy number. Still, with some nice strings and flutes parsing the track together, it makes for a fair listen.
The album bows out with what it hopes will be a newsmaker of a number, in the item number, 'Chhanno', that is known to feature Veena Malik at her boldest best. However, with 'Munnis', 'Sheilas' and 'Chikni Chamelis' abounding, it wouldn't be surprising if this latest nautch-girl gets lost in the crowd. The way the number opens, with a loud chorus shouting for Chhanno, Malik seems to be looking to recreate the formula for his own hit from last year, 'Yamla Pagla Deewana's 'Tinku Jiya', though he doesn't quite succeed. The track's melody seems to be drawing quite a bit from a different, older item number though, 'Omkara's Bipasha Basu-starrer 'beedi'. Though Mamta Sharma is perfect for the number and the folk arrangements built around whistles, beens, sarangis and more work well, the number is too short on energy to hit the mark. In this regard, Swanand Kirkire's lyrics turn out to be a bit of a disappointment too. DJ G Kilogram looks to spice the number up by adding a new electronic melody to the featured remix of the track, and his efforts pay off to an extent, though the number still doesn't quite move into chartbuster territory.
The only thing that's truly worth a listen on the 'Gali Gali Chor Hai' OST is its title track, which might just make you want to put it on loop. Though 'suno suno' is a fair effort, 'Chhanno' can be safely given a miss. Overall, 'Gali Gali Chor Hai' is a middling effort from the veteran Anu Malik, who needs to buck up if he's to return to his glory days in the face of younger competition.