EXPECTATIONS When a movie stars Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor and belongs to the romantic genre, it is expected that it will boast of at least a couple of romantic numbers. Slight apprehensions do come from the fact that the director at the helm of affairs is a newcomer (Prem R Soni). However, considering the fact that the music has been composed by Sajid-Wajid (who have time and again given at least one chartbuster for each of the Salman films), Main Aur Mrs. Khanna does make you reasonably excited about the final prospects. MUSIC 10 seconds into the song 'Don't Say Alvida' and you know for sure that Sajid-Wajid have a hit in hand at least in the form of this title track. Belonging to old school of music which has a timeless quality to it and has more often than not always worked, 'Don't Say Alvida' is a contemporary Bollywood love song while boasting of an out and out Indian melody. Coming close to the kind of music that one has heard in Salman's films like Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, 'Don't Say Alvida' has Sonu Nigam at his best. The singer is heard in lesser number these days but when he croons a marvelous track like 'Don't Say Alvida', you don't mind the quantity. Shreya Ghoshal joins a little later in the day while Suzanne D'Mello is primarily a backup vocalist here. Still, they do make their presence felt in this Junaid Wasi written song that also appears in a well done 'remix' version and also a 90 seconds slow-n-sad version (a Shreya Ghoshal solo). It's time to get into a 'Kajraare' [Bunty Aur Babli] mode with Sunidhi Chauhan bringing on 'Happening'. Even though the title gives an impression of an English number in the offering, 'Happening' is mainly a catchy term that plays throughout this 'qawalli' which is written by Jalees Sherwani. Picturised on Preity Zinta (yes, she too has an important role to play in the film), 'Happening' is a foot tapping number that takes just a couple of listening to register with the listener. A good number which has been created for the masses and yet doesn't turn vulgar at all, 'Happening' is fun, foot tapping and quite enjoyable for its duration. The number which also appears in a 'remix version', 'Happening' also has Wajid, Uvie, Farhad and Raja Mushtaq joining the show and deserves to be promoted aggressively. From love, romance and dance, mood of the album becomes somber with 'Rabba'. With Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at the helm of affairs, you do expect the kind of outing that 'Rabba' would provide. A slow moving soulful track that does has a serene feel to it in spite of a sad theme, 'Rabba' is situational and yet effective. Jalees Sherwani spins a tale around the condition of the protagonist who has lost love in his life and is trying to explore things that went wrong. In the lines of 'Tanhai' [Dil Chahta Hai] and 'Ye Dooriyan' [Love Aaj Kal], 'Rabba' makes for a good hear. The opening five seconds of 'Tum Ne Socha' do remind of the sound of 'Soniyo' [Raaz - the Mystery Continues] . However all similarity ends quite soon and Sajid-Wajid create a tune that does make you appreciate it during the first listening itself. One is assured that Wajid is taking his job quite seriously as a singer, courtesy his rendition of 'Tum Ne Socha' where he is indeed good. A soft rock track where he changes pitch from being subtle to full throated, 'Tum Ne Socha' is a very pleasant sounding duet with Shreya Ghoshal joining Wajid behind the mike. A beautiful contemporary song that has Arun Bhairav penning the lyrics. Finally, the album ends on a fun note with the 'dhol beats' of 'Mrs. Khanna' being straight out of 'Pretty Woman' [Kal Ho Na Ho] . A fun track that is picturised on Sohail Khan and Kareena Kapoor, 'Mrs. Khanna' has a good rhythm to it which is straight out of the David Dhawan school of music. Heavy on orchestra, something that goes perfectly well with the genre of the song, 'Mrs. Khanna' is entertaining and should be a riot on screen if picturised well. Written by Jalees Sherwani and Suzanne, the number has Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan as the prime singers with Bappi Lahiri, Neuman Pinto and Suzanne D'Mello also chipping in. OVERALL Main Aur Mrs. Khanna is a satisfying affair and you don't have any reasons to complain whatsoever. One expected at least a couple of chartbuster songs and Main Aur Mrs. Khanna remains consistent throughout with not a single number that doesn't work. The best of the lot though is 'Don't Say Alvida' followed by 'Tum Ne Socha' that are custom made for the romantic hearts. Meanwhile, 'Happening' should take further care of the album sales. OUR PICK(S) 'Don't Say Alvida', 'Tum Ne Socha', 'Happening'

EXPECTATIONS Masti. Masala. And some 'dhamaal'. That's exactly what one expects from the music of All The Best. Movies and music coming from the house of Rohit Shetty have a certain template feel to them. His films like Golmaal, Golmaal Returns and Sunday have been youthful entertainers with good music. This is what one looks forward to from All The Best as well which, as the title itself suggests, is a movie about celebration and letting your hair down. With composer Pritam and lyricist Kumaar at the helm of affairs, you know exactly what you are getting into. MUSIC Drum beats mark the beginning of 'Dil Kare' that have the cry of All The Best creating the much required rhythm all throughout the song's duration. A number that is set exactly in the manner of 'Socha Hai' [Rock On], whether lyrically, musically or thematically, 'Dil Kare' is a heavy duty rock track that is mounted on a really lavish scale. Suraj Jagan is a good choice for a number like this though one feels that K.K. at the helm of affairs would have further added zing to 'Dil Kare'. Roopam Islam is there as a backup vocalist in the opening number of this album that gets into top gear from the very onset and also gives it a euphoric ending with a high voltage 'remix version'. Expect the track to make it to the DJ's list in a matter of few days from now. Well, wait for K.K. is over with 'Haan Main Jitni Martaba' which does have a very strong rock beginning to it, especially with the heavy bass doing the trick. However, the moment K.K. comes behind the mike, the scene changes for better. '... Martaba' turns out to be a love song set in a rock genre that has a sound good enough to make you root for it after the first listening itself. With newcomer Yashita being the female vocalist bringing the perfect sound for a rock rendition, '... Martaba' turns out to be one of the best songs to have come out this year. Also, it boasts of the kind of lyrics that Kumaar has excelled in over the last few years that he has been active. He makes best use of the platform made available to him and spins a romantic tale that is given a 'rock solid' (pun intended) contemporary treatment by Pritam. A winner which also makes an impression in the 'remix version'. One of the major reasons for the promos of All The Best to have made the kind of strong impression is the music that plays along with them. The beats of title song 'All The Best' are the ones that catch your attention in the promos and on listening to it's full length version, you know that the funda of Rohit Shetty, Pritam and Kumaar was clear i.e. to create an instant impression amongst the youth by bringing in a funky sound aided by some full-on orchestra. Rana, now turning out to be a regular with Pritam, Soham (who recently created his own What's Your Raashee) and Antara come together for 'All The Best' that goes perfectly well with the celebration theme of the film and should again boast of some wide spread choreography and eye catchy picturisation. Mood of the album shifts again with Clinton Cerejo getting a rock solo for him in the form of 'Kyon'. This time around the proceedings are really soft and slow with minimal musical instruments aiding Clinton's rendition. Even though the song has a sad setting to it which is about changing times and drifting friends, 'Kyon' is yet another very good number after '.... Martaba'. Tailor-made for youth and boasting of the kind of sound that worked so very well for the music of Life In A...Metro, 'Kyon' is the kind of number that film maker of any biggie would be glad to place in his product. Over the years, Neeraj Sridhar has been heard singing in a particular style and sound for many a Pritam hits. In case of 'You Are My Love', he does bring in a definite change in both the departments. Also Pritam incorporates a certain child like innocence in the making of this song which is high on orchestra, is quite urban and contemporary and yet boasts of simplicity. An ensemble piece that also sees the coming together of Kunal Ganjawala, Rajesh, Alisha Chinoy and Megha, 'You Are My Love' is a celebration track about the coming together of friends in happy times. OVERALL One expected a decent time pass score for All The Best which would make an instant impression and ensure that audiences are entertained as they play on screen. For this purpose, Pritam does compose songs like 'Dil Kare', 'All The Best' and 'You Are My Love'. However, there is a pleasant surprise in store with '... Martaba' and 'Kyon' turning out to be two of the purest compositions by Pritam and Kumaar that bring in further quality to this album. OUR PICK(S) 'Martaba', 'Kyon', 'Dil Kare'

EXPECTATIONS A delayed project always makes you apprehensive about it's final outcome. Ok, so Roshan is now called Vaada Raha...I Promise but does that mean that one could possibly expect better prospects from the film as well as the music? Even though the music boasts of an ensemble outing when it comes to composers being roped in to put together the soundtrack, one picks up the album with minimal expectations. MUSIC There is a pleasant surprise in store though with the opening number turning out to be quite a serene outing. 'Kubul' is a quintessential love song with that 'vaadiyan' and 'bahaar' outing and one doesn't mind that at all. In fact as you listen to it a couple of times, it starts playing in your mind for a time much longer than the song's duration. A beautiful melody by Monty that stays Indian throughout its five minutes duration, it also boasts of some heartfelt rendition by Parthiv Gohil, Sharmista Chateerjee and Shell Hada. A good beginning that suddenly makes one get interested in the album. One starts looking at the album with a different perspective the moment title song Vaada Raha hits its first notes. Composed by Toshi-Sharib who have composed some very good songs for Bhatts' Jashnn and Raaz - The Mystery Continues in the recent past, Vaada Raha is in fact one of their best. This Turaz written track stays on within the Bollywood parameters of a love song and still comes out trumps. Now if only this film would have been a fresh project, would have been adequately promoted and boasted of a true blue romantic jodi on screen, Vaada Raha, which is excellently sung by Toshi and boasts of some really good chorus in the background, would have gone a far distance. In fact this is one of those songs that one looks forward to hearing a countless number of times in the album and hence don't mind it all when it reappears in a 'remix version' and also a Sanjoy Chowdhury composed 'theme version'. It's three-in-a-row for Vaada Raha...I Promise with the arrival of 'Rab Na Kare'. A fusion track that sees the coming together of Sufi and Western sensibilities, 'Rab Na Kare' is a sad song where the lead protagonist is praying for the well being of everyone in spite of being jilted in love. A number set in this genre may have turned boring but thankfully, due to Babbu Maan's triple role of a composer, singer and lyricist, the song turns out to be a very good hear. There is a 'slow version' of the song as well that has the lead protagonist shedding tears and it is bound to do well as a background piece. 'Aaj Aasmaan' that comes next doesn't make as good an impact as the three songs that preceded it. The song aims at being all cool and simple but ultimately turns out to be routine and predictable. Ordinary arrangements do not help the cause either even as Shaan and Shewta Pandit try to get that innocence in the proceedings. A song about being happy in life with the surroundings turning out to be better than ever, this Rahul B. Seth & Sandy written and composed number conveys a positive message but still doesn't make you get as excited as you were in the earlier part of the album. The composer duo returns with 'Achal Hain Mere Hausle', a Kunal Ganjawala sung number. Perhaps placed in the situation where Bobby Deol is recuperating and getting back to being his own self, 'Achal Hain Mere Hausle' could easily have been set as a Military number if one looks at the setting and treatment. Outdated in appeal and not really making you play it on after you have heard it once, it is strictly situational. There are two theme tracks that conclude the album - 'Flying High' and 'Lost In Love'. Primarily instrumentals that have been set to tune by Sanjoy Chowdhury, they are done well, especially the latter track that has an old world charm to it, and should help the narrative of Vaada Raha...I Promise. OVERALL From an album that didn't promise much at the very onset, Vaada Raha..I Promise does spring a surprise with three tracks really making an impression - 'Vaada Raha', 'Kubul' and 'Rab Na Kare'. Pick up the album just for these songs and you won't be disappointed. OUR PICK(S) 'Vaada Raha', 'Kubul' and 'Rab Na Kare'

EXPECTATIONS Zero. When a music album hits the stands less than a week before the theatrical release of the film and that too with absolutely nil promotion, the picture is quite clear about the confidence level that the makers have in the music. Siddharth Suhas, Abhishek Ishteyak, Amjad Nadeem and Sukhwinder Singh come together to create a song apiece for this album. MUSIC Ranjit Kapoor writes 'Akira Kurosawa', an item number which is picturised on Sophie Choudry. Even though it is difficult to make out the exact lyrics of the song, music by Siddharth-Suhas is foot tapping enough to keep your interest alive in this four minutes long song. Anushka Manchandani is a good choice for a dance number like this though it's a pity that there has been absolutely no promotion of the song. It would have moved some distance at least if there was some awareness created about this fun song. Nevertheless, after a decent beginning, it's only downhill from here on with Roop Kumar Rathod just not getting it right behind the mike for 'Chai Ke Bahane'. A boring number with even more boring lyrics by Yash Bharadwaj, 'Chai Ke Bahane' is about the protagonist looking forward to being with someone close after a considerable gap of time. Set to tune by Abhishek Ishteyak with singer Madhushree too joining in, 'Chai Ke Bahane' stays on to be Indian throughout but is terribly outdated and reminds of the 60s. Forgettable. Amjad Nadeem composes and sings 'Vote For Chintuji' which is such an amateurish attempt that it doesn't qualify beyond a title roll number for an off-prime time TV serial on Doordarshan. Whether it is the composition or the singing, none of it works. Ahmad's lyrics do not help the cause either and this supposedly fun track, appearing in both the original and remix version, completely falls flat. A number attached to the roots, 'Yahan Sab Theekh Hai' has a Punjab setting to it and no wonder, it has Sukhwinder Singh at the helm of composing and singing it. Written by Sameer, the song has a Manoj Kumar hangover to it and tries to convey the point that despite all the troubles that this country is facing, it's still an 'all right' situation for all. OVERALL Chintu Ji has absolutely nothing to offer musically and the only potentially saleable number, 'Akira Kurosawa', too will go down completely unnoticed. Skip it! OUR PICK(S) 'Akira Kurosawa' [Play Songs]

EXPECTATIONS Zero. When a music album hits the stands less than a week before the theatrical release of the film and that too with absolutely nil promotion, the picture is quite clear about the confidence level that the makers have in the music. Siddharth Suhas, Abhishek Ishteyak, Amjad Nadeem and Sukhwinder Singh come together to create a song apiece for this album. Write your own music review of Chintu Ji MUSIC Ranjit Kapoor writes 'Akira Kurosawa', an item number which is picturised on Sophie Choudry. Even though it is difficult to make out the exact lyrics of the song, music by Siddharth-Suhas is foot tapping enough to keep your interest alive in this four minutes long song. Anushka Manchandani is a good choice for a dance number like this though it's a pity that there has been absolutely no promotion of the song. It would have moved some distance at least if there was some awareness created about this fun song. Nevertheless, after a decent beginning, it's only downhill from here on with Roop Kumar Rathod just not getting it right behind the mike for 'Chai Ke Bahane'. A boring number with even more boring lyrics by Yash Bharadwaj, 'Chai Ke Bahane' is about the protagonist looking forward to being with someone close after a considerable gap of time. Set to tune by Abhishek Ishteyak with singer Madhushree too joining in, 'Chai Ke Bahane' stays on to be Indian throughout but is terribly outdated and reminds of the 60s. Forgettable. Amjad Nadeem composes and sings 'Vote For Chintuji' which is such an amateurish attempt that it doesn't qualify beyond a title roll number for an off-prime time TV serial on Doordarshan. Whether it is the composition or the singing, none of it works. Ahmad's lyrics do not help the cause either and this supposedly fun track, appearing in both the original and remix version, completely falls flat. A number attached to the roots, 'Yahan Sab Theekh Hai' has a Punjab setting to it and no wonder, it has Sukhwinder Singh at the helm of composing and singing it. Written by Sameer, the song has a Manoj Kumar hangover to it and tries to convey the point that despite all the troubles that this country is facing, it's still an 'all right' situation for all. OVERALL Chintu Ji has absolutely nothing to offer musically and the only potentially saleable number, 'Akira Kurosawa', too will go down completely unnoticed. Skip it! OUR PICK(S) 'Akira Kurosawa' [Play Songs]