Dangal Music Review: Pritam And Amitabh Show Their Versatility Again

The biggest soundtrack of 2016 so far is Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The soundtrack had Pritam as the composer and Amitabh Bhattacharya as the lyricist. Now the same musical team is coming together for an entirely different stage and setting in the form of Dangal. This is where the versatility factor comes in as the team showcases its command over the music and words all over again.

This is evidenced right at the start when newbie talent Sarwar Khan and Sartaz Khan Barna comes together to sing Haanikaarak Bapu. The song was released almost a month ago and has gained popularity over the weeks gone by. It is as rustic as it gets and what sets it apart from the rest are the kind of lyrics that Amitabh has penned for it. A winner all the way, it should be a fun watch in the film's narrative.

What stays entirely situational is Dhaakad which is sung first by Raftaar and later by Aamir Khan. A Haryanvi rap track which has its bearings in the kind of numbers that Baadshah has sung over the last couple of years, this one establishes its individuality. The music is subtle instead of going over the top and so is the singing. That said, the song has the shelf life of the play of the film and would be forgotten soon after.

Same holds true for Gilehriyaan as well which is rendered by Jonita Gandhi. The song has a sweet sounding quality to it and you can't help but hum it along while it plays. While the flavor of almost the entire soundtrack of Dangal carries a Haryanvi flavor to it, this one has a non-film appeal to it and carries a jingle feel. However, what impresses about it is an inherent innocence that is brought in during its play.

Soon after comes the title track Dangal by Daler Mehndi and one ends up wondering why this wasn't placed right at the start of the album. This one makes a very good impression in the very first listening and that is also because portions from it have already been heard as a part of the film's promo. A theme song that lends a lot of weight to the film (well, literally so), this one is established as an anthem track!

Arijit Singh arrives on the scene with Naina, a song that could well have made its entry in any other film as well since it doesn't seem to be explicitly designed for Dangal in particular. A pathos filled song that has Arijit excelling as a singer all over again, this one is straight out of the territory of Pritam and benefits further from Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics. This is a kind of song that can be given a standalone hearing too.

Last to arrive is a situational track, Idiot Banna. Crooned by Jyoti Nooran and Sultana Nooran, it would be pretty much picked by those who liked the kind of music that Tanu Weds Manu Returns had to offer. This one should look good on screen, considering the kind of fun lyrics that have been put together by Amitabh. With a thorough comical touch to it, 'Idiot Banna' may act as a relief element in the play of Dangal.

The music of Dangal is largely situational though one has to admit that even then, one doesn't mind as many as six tracks coming together. One now waits to see how director Nitesh Tiwari plants it all into the film. If the promos that have been released so far are any indication, it should be a seamless integration for sure.

Our picks: Haanikaarak Bapu, Dangal, Naina, Gilehriyaan