Music Review: Badlapur

Album: Badlapur

Director: Sriram Raghavan

Lyricist: Priya Saraiya and Dinesh Vijan

Rating: ***1/2

Sriram Raghavan is back with his fourth film Badlapur. Starring Varun Dhawan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi and Yami Gautam in lead roles, the movie is about a man on a journey to avenge his family.

After giving two fabulous chartbusters last year, 'Shake Your Bootiya' from Finding Fanny and 'Dance Basanti' from Ungli, Sachin-Jigar have composed the music of Badlapur. The music duo has collaborated with Atif Aslam, Rekha Bhardwaj, Arijit Singh and Divya Kumar for this album.

Jee Karda (version 1 & 2) - The first official release from the album, 'Jee Karda' has Divya Kumar's raw and earthy voice which draws you in the song. The song starts with solo guitar and as the second line approaches, 'Daag de saari goliyan', you are hooked! Sachin-Jigar's use of the shehnai heightens the effect of melancholy in this song.

In the rock version, the intensity is magnified. Leaning towards hard rock, music directors make you understand why they are the remix masters of this time. Their use of strings in the entire album is a treat to the ears!

Then there is Varun Dhawan displaying serious dancing and acting chops in the video. Take a look:

Jeena Jeena (Version 1 & 2) - Known for his silken voice, Atif Aslam once again works his charm for 'Jeena Jeena'. Again beginning with solo guitar, the music duo soothe your bruised soul. They include subtle flutes to lift the song from run-of-the-mill romantic ballads. Soft percussion only helps encasing the voice of Atif Aslam.

Howver, the remix version of this song is the only weak song in the album. Somehow the mix fails to stay with you. The song lacks in invoking emotions the way original does. You can skip this one.

Judaai - The song starts with Rekha Bhardwaj building the song in lower octave and then Arijit Singh's hook lifts it up. In their first collaboration together, Arijit Singh and Rekha Bhardwaj take turns with the hook, 'Chadariya jheeni re jheeni' and the result is spectacular. The use of the sarangi touches your heart.  

Verdict: It's a good album. 'Jee Karda' is hard to miss and so is 'Judaai'. Must listen.