Maan Gaye Mughall-E-Azam Music Review: Good Effort

It seems that Mallika Sherwat and Anu Malik are shadowing each other these days. Malik gave the music for the actress's last film, Ugly Aur Pagli, which released recently and now he does the honours for Maan Gaye Mughal e Azam as well. The film and its lyrics have been written and directed by Sanjay Chhel. The film's tagline goes as Mission?, Mohabbat?, Madness! But somehow the film's music does not reveal that mad streak. The music is nowhere as rocking as Ugly Aur Pagli. It lacks the thunder of the former film and can best be labeled as a little thanda in comparison. However, by its self, the album has enough melody and catchy beats to enthrall.

There are seven songs in the album, which includes two remixes and two versions of a third song. It opens with a number called 'Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya' sung by Shaan, Anushka Manchanda and Mahalakshmi Iyer. The song is an obvious take on the old 'Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya' sung by Lata Mangeshkar for Mughal e Azam. Hence, this is the title track of the album. The number opens with some Hindi rap, before the singers make their entry. The number has a catchy beat probably because of the rap bit which is merged into the main song. Anushka does a good job and so does Shaan. The meoldy in the song makes its entrance in the song with Mahalaksmi Iyer. This song is quite catchy and should probably figure in the popularity charts.

The album's second number is called 'Marmari Baahen' and has been sung by Kunal Ganjawala and Mahalakshmi. It has a remixed version sung by Malik himself. It has been remixed by Blue Zone. Ganjawala and Mahalakshmi give the song the required romantic touch and feel. The song opens very well and is quite melodious. Ganjawala gives it his typical flamboyant touch and raises the bar of the song. Mahalakshmi is a perfect foil for him and sings with great feeling, making it easily the best number of the album. Malik's version is a little flat but is catchy enough. However it lacks the magic of the previous version.

Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas makes his entry into the album with a soulful number called 'Ek Toh Sharab Kam' which occurs in two parts in the album. Udhas has become famous for his ghazals on wine. And he stays true to form and sings a lovelorn number in his trademark style. The song is pepped up by the sound effect of glass breaking at appropriate places. The number has its charm and well definitely goes down well with those brought up on a diet of saki and sharab.

The final song in the album is called 'Ishqaiyaan' and is sung by Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan and Aftab Hashim Sabri. It has a remixed version which features just Sonu Nigam and Alisha Chinoy. This number too has been remixed by Blue Zone. The song has a quwali touch to it and Aftab Hashim Sabri does a good job on keeping that bit of the mood alive. Sunidhi too sings the number with her usual verve and spunk. Sonu makes his appearance with a very high pitched rendering. But the song truly belongs more to Sunidhi more than anyone else. She manages to capture the song's fun mood very well. The remixed version by Sonu and Alisha carries the mood forward. Alisha adds another element with her husky, seductive rendering. Sonu seems to have come into his own with this version but the normal version still wins hands down.

Malik has given good music for Maan Gaye Mughal e Azam. In fact all the songs sound different and nicely different. The numbers are catchy, well composed and well written as well. The singers have done a great job, specially, Ganjawala, Mahalakshmi and Sunidhi. But there is no number which overpowers one. The album is definitely way above average but not as rocking as Ugly Aur Pagli. But a good effort nonetheless.