Karan Arjun

Producer: FilmKraft Presentations
Director: Rakesh Roshan
Starring: Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkharini, Rakhee, Amrish Puri
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Indeevar
Singers: Lata Mangeshkar, Alka Yagnik, Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Sadhna Sargam, Ila Arun, Mohammed Aziz, Sudesh Bhosle
Audio On: Time Magnetic Audio

Such typical films like Karan Arjun would more than likely call for something more of regular hit music rather than path breaking music (one shouldn’t expect masaladar films to have exquisite music). Rajesh Roshan was fully aware of this when he composed one his better soundtracks for his brother’s films. A few of the songs are very melodious and call for repeating on instance. The others may be as well composed but are not meant for the repeat button. Either way, Rajesh Roshan was successful in this album proving his versatility as a composer in comparison to some composers who use the same inspiration in composing their tunes.

“Jaati Hoon Mein”, the Shah Rukh Khan - Kajol tune had the very popular Kumar Sanu-Alka Yagnik duo singing to a somewhat western tune which served the film picturization well. The catchiest portion of the tune is more the renditions of the chorus as the verses do drag at portions. Rajesh Roshan’s opening had the right ingredients to become a hit and the swift paced drum backdrop accompanied by the guitar serves the song well. Overall, the song was a great start to the soundtrack.

The theme song, “Yeh Bandhan To”, which appears twice, also succeeded pleasing a listener. Carrying a traditional feel to it with the flute and a tune that matched most of the eighties styled tune, Alka, Udit and Sanu singing greatly. The song is also emotional, and Indeevar’s lyrics are also well written. This is definitely one of the nicer familial bonding songs of yesteryears.

But one shouldn’t wonder why Lata Mangeshkar has one of the best, if not the best, songs on the soundtrack. The ‘woo my lover track’, “Ek Munda”, uses a wide variety of instruments to provide the song with great music. Ranging from the dholak, flute, Roshan does a great job in composing a sweet love song here and of course Lata Mangeshkar is sweet and arguably the best part of the excellent song.

“Bhangda Pale” and “Jai Ma Kaali” are more situational tracks. There are rare chances that they may provide you with endless listening sweets but serve their purpose in the film. The songs can be catchy and do have their singers (Sadhna Sargam, Mohammed Aziz and Sudesh Bhosle) singing well. The songs are peppy, upbeat but are familiar to other tunes of the same genre. Jai Ma Kaali is a more upbeat and fast take off of other religious tunes. Nevertheless Kumar Sanu and Alka do try to lift the song above the regular fare.

Finally for the frontbenchers, there is the all masses non-classes cabaret number, “Gup Chup Gup Chup”. Of course, the song is peppy and works in favor of the soundtrack in that it will succeed on all accounts on drawing attention to the soundtrack. Who doesn’t like a sensuous song to set the feet tapping occasionally? And who better to set their feet tapping to it than Mamta Kulkharini? Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun also show the magic of their vocals combined. They do compliment each other with contrast. Indeevar’s lyrics are however, typical dance stuff.

Karan Arjun has the accurate amount of appeal to click with a regular listener. A few of the songs are well worth the purchase, while the others, well composed, serve as film fillers. The over all appeal is good enough though not exactly something one would call a hundred percent great soundtrack. Listen to Lata Mangeshkar in Ek Munda. That is a true sugary sweet tune.