Bhaag Johnny Music Review: Average

Actor Kunal Khemu, who has been missing from the silver screens for quite some time now, returns with Director Shivam Nair in the thriller Bhaag Johnny playing the titular role alongside actress Zoa Morani. As is the trend nowadays, this film too features a multitude of music composers vying for credits - Devi Sri Prasad, Mithoon, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Arko and Sajid-Wajid, with each of the composers composing one song apiece except for Mithoon (who is credited with two tracks). Lyrics too have been provided by multiple writers including Kumaar, Amitabh Verma, Arko, Faaiz Anwar and Yo Yo Honey Singh. With so many creative minds working together on one album, one is quite curious to know how it has turned out. So let's tune in to find out.

The album opens with the catchy Daddy Mummy which is a faithful recreation of Composer Devi Sri Prasad's Telugu superhit track, Aakalesthe Annam pedatha from the movie Shankar Dada Zindabad. Just like the original, this one too is quite foot-tapping with much of the credit going to the female singer, M.M. Manasi, who seems totally in the zone! Composer Devi Sri Prasad gives good support to Manasi behind the mike and together they manage to keep the mood up. But the downside is the cringe-worthy lyrics written by Kumaar that make you squirm with embarrassment!

Next in line is yet another recreation. This time around it is the song Iss Qadar Pyar Hai from veteran singer Sonu Nigam's super hit music album Deewana which was composed by Sajid-Wajid. If you were a fan of the original track written by Faaiz Anwar, then chances are that you might not like this Arko recreated and written version rendered by Ankit Tiwari. For one, Tiwari's vocals are no match for Sonu's and the emotion that one could feel in the veteran singer's rendition is more or less completely absent in Tiwari's version. Add to the fact that remixes/recreations are always a risky business and sometimes it is better to not tamper and just leave the original alone!

Yo Yo Honey Singh makes his trademark one-song appearance in this album with Aankhon Aankhon which, as one expects, is a rhythmic track with a catchy refrain and nonsensical lyrics. But the song does not really warrant a second hearing for two reasons – one, except for the refrain, there is not much of recall value in this track and two, Honey Singh does not sound his ebullient self in this track making one wonder if it is really the same Honey who gave us Lungi Dance and Aata Majhi Satakli!

Mithoon enters this overcrowded scene and finally gives the listeners a sense of relief with his two compositions. The first of his tracks is the pop-sufi composition Kinna Sona which is a soulful melody sung passionately by Sunil Kamath. The composition is simple yet beautiful and is aided by some beautiful and touching lyrics (Amitabh Verma). And with Sunil Kamath giving an excellent rendition, this track is sure to take your breath away.

Listening to Meri Zindagi, it is hard to believe that is being sung by Indian Idol 1 contestant Rahul Vaidya. The singer's voice has matured progressively over the years and he sounds quite good though it does feel slightly labored. The composition sounds more like what one would expect in a Bhatt film and therefore gives us a sense of déjà vu. Amitabh Verma's lyrics are poignant and fit in well with the mood of the number. That said, this is a strictly situational track and therefore chances are less that you might enjoy this as a standalone number.

To sum up, the soundtrack of Bhaag Johnny is a strictly average one since none of the songs has the potential to become a blockbuster. Yes, there are a couple of good tracks which have the capability to hold a steady fort but that will depend mainly on the film's run at the box office.

Our Picks: Kinna Sona and Daddy Mummy