Music Review: Ready

Hot off the overwhelming success of last year's blockbuster Dabangg, audiences and industry folk alike are gearing up for Salman Khan's next release, Ready, with lofty expectations. Given that the soundtrack from his previous outing was also a landmark of sorts and, for better or for worse, immortalized the word Munni, will the music of Ready enjoy the same fate? Read on to find out!

While other recent successful Sallu starrers have had featured the tunes of Sajid-Wajid, the majority of Ready's music has been composed by Pritam. There is also one contribution from Southern songster Devi Sri Prasad, who gave music for the eponymous Telugu film of which Ready is a remake. Lyrics have been penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, Neelesh Misra, Ashish Pandit and Kumaar.

The album, which consists of four 'original' tracks and four remixes, gets its feet on the ground with "Character Dheela". The promo for this song has already made waves for its creative picturisation, and it's also garnered press for allegations of copyright infringement against both its melody and lyrics. Both the positive and negative publicity seem to be doing the song favors, though it hardly needs them because the catchy rhythm as well as Neeraj Shridhar and Amrita Kak's enthusiastic vocals are sure to make it a fast favorite among the masses. Save for one colorful reference to 'Munni' and 'Sheila', Amitabh Bhattacharya's lyrics are cringe-inducingly crass. Overall, the energetic beat along with the "Sallu factor" seen in the promos ensure that it will remain an earworm for at least a few months.

Next up is requisite romantic number "Humko Pyaar Hua", sung by K.K. and screeched by Tulsi Kumar. A 'been there, heard that' tune, it brings to mind Pritam's own "Teri Ore" from Singh is Kingg and "Khudaya Khair" from Billu Barbar. That would not have been such a bad thing since both of its predecessors were pleasant numbers, but Tulsi dampens K.K.'s efforts and the song's repeat value with her painfully misplaced pitch. Thankfully she learns from her mistake later on in the album, but for the time being, this track is still somewhat difficult on the ears. The repetitive lyrics don't do it any favors, either.

Next up is "Dhinka Chika", Devi Sri Prasad's Mumbai-fied version of his hit number "Ringa Ringa" from the original Ready. The song is an out-and-out entertainer that emerges as a real winner, and it will probably be even more so once audiences see Sallu shake to it in his inimitable style. The goofy lyrics describe romance plans for every month of the year and make for a fun sing-along, while breezy vocals from Mika and Amrita Kak lend it even more likability. The bouncy beat has a Maharashtrian flavor to it that we don't hear often as often as the trademark Pritam categories filled by the prior tracks, so it really stands out from the pack.

Pritam takes the wheel again for the last of the 'originals', which is a festive dance track called "Meri Ada Bhi". It starts out with a sampling of the Musarrat Nazir classic "Laung Gavacha" that sadly doesn't carry on for the rest of the track in spite of having been so well incorporated. That foot-tapping start gives way to what becomes an awkward attempt at mixing bhangra beats with a Qawwali dhun. Something sounds awry upon the initial listening, as if the tempo and tune are of different songs, but it grows on you with two or three repetitions. It is further salvaged by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's dependable playback and a new and improved Tulsi Kumar, now singing within her range. It is sure to become a favorite wedding/party song of the year.

These four are followed by one remix a piece, none of which is sufficiently different to warrant its own description. Rather than this redundancy, the album would have benefited from a few more spunky originals. Overall, the album certainly meets the criteria of a masala-packed Sallu starrer, with its abundance of tracks that are both danceable and laughable at once. However, it neither retains the memorability of Dabangg's music, nor does it make a lasting impression on the filmy soundtrack scene as a whole. Here's hoping Pritam breaks out of these predictable molds for his next venture!

BollyCurry Favorite: Dhinka Chika
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