Ishqiya, the earlier instalment, had it all: a good script, fabulous actors and some smashingly different music plus lyrics by Vishal Bharadwaj and Gulzar respectively. And the duo, who probably form a bond most spiritual we think, are at their classical and philosophical best in the sequel, Dedh Ishqiya. The classical factor is more prominent here, while Gulzar’s lyrics are more of profound shaayari describing very emotions of love.
Director: Abhishek Chaubey
Actors: Nasseruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi and Vijay Raaz
Music: Vishal Bharadwaj
Lyrics: Gulzar
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan infuses his honey-filled feelings into Zabaan Jale Hai which neatly fuses western instrumentation with his own unique classical style. It sounds more like a Blues number heard in a cafe. Rahat is singing about love and its various traps, while guitar, piano and drum add on to this emotional song. This typically Bharadwaj number allows you to relieve your memories and tugs your heart. Be surprised at the interesting guitar start and abrupt end.
An out and out classical number, Jagaave Saari Raina is a mujra number which reaches amazing heights thanks to Rekha Bharadwaj. Rekha’s typical style of singing flowers here. There is a certain old-world charm in the song written about the night and her eye. The special treat you get here is to hear Pandit Birju Maharaj add another dimension to the number. The use of sitar, tabla and ghunghroos gives it an amazing tone.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan makes an appearance in Dil Ka Mizaaj Ishqiya where again, you hear western instruments mix with Rahat’s classical style. A contemporary song about the heart always being ishqiya, the song reaches your emotions well, thanks to Gulzaar Saab’s profound lyrics. Read this: Sharmeela sharmeela, Parde mein rehta hai…Dardon ke chhonke bhi, Chupke se sehta hai, Nikalta nahi hai, Gali se kabhi, Nikal jaaye to dil, Bhatak jata hai, Arre bachcha hai aakhir, Behak jata hai…Khwaabon mein rehta hai, Bachpan se harjaayi, Dil ka mizaaj ishqiya, Dil ka mizaaj ishqiya… One is always so speechless as to how he manages to read our heart’s voice.
Rekha Bharadwaj sings the IT song of the album – Hamari Atariya. This mujra song starts with an interesting twang of electric guitar which really sounds well with tabla, harmonium, sitar and dholaks. Rekha’s voice adds the spunk in the song. Use of Awadhi dialect bodes well with us. The album ends with Kya Hoga which one can call the most filmy non-filmy song. It is a must hear too. The pure music just blends with the voices of Jazim Sharma, Master Saleem, Shahid Mallya and Jamal Akbar.
Dedh Ishqiya, unlike any of Vishal Bharadwaj-Gulzar film, is entirely built on simplicity, without indulging in crowd-pulling methods. And that is its strength. The classical soul binds with western ideas and does not tread on each other’s toes. It is a blessed hearing, indeed!