Album: CHOCOLATE (2005)

Director: Vivek Agnihotri

Music Director: Pritam

Genre: Crime, Thriller

After the super hit sound track of “Dhoom”, music director Pritam returns with a funky party pleaser in Vivek Agnihotri’s directorial debut Chocolate.

The movie, starring Anil Kapoor, Irfaan Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Sunil Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Sushma Reddy and Tanushree Dutta (Miss India Universe 2004), is the story of seven Indians who come under the scrutiny of London police for all the wrong reasons. Chocolate produced by Vibha and Ragini, belongs to the thriller genre and the energetic fast tempo music track is sure to provide the right zing.

The album opens with “Halka Halka”. It starts with a western track and seamlessly moves into a lovely rendition of the song by Sonu Nigam. The song, written by Mayur Puri, is about different characters giving an account of themselves.  Sonu Nigam does full justice to this fine composition by bringing about the required modulations in his singing. The album also features a remixed version of this song.

Sure to be chart topper. Zahreli Ratein by KK is a sweet song where the emphasis is on the lyrics. Pritam has spiced the number with some interesting orchestral arrangements transforming a potentially sad and maybe a slow number into something that is quite interesting.

Sunidhi Chauhan never fails to delight and her spirited singing of Jhuki Jhuki with Kailash Kher is another example of her versatile singing ability. The song, written by Dev Kohli, brings in elements of Sufi music and blends it with  interesting  beats in the background.  Sunidhi Chauhan changes her voice to that of young girl in ‘Mummy’. The song, written by Mayur Puri, has cute lyrics and is a combination of pop and bhangra. Sunidhi switches gears in Bheega Bheega Sa Yeh December Hai to present a lilting melody, a welcome reprieve from the high voltage music featured in the rest of the album.

Singer Kunal Ganjawala of Bheege Honth Tere fame sings two songs in this album. The first one, Panaahon Mein Mohabbat Ki is heavy on music and beats that seem to muffle the singer’s voice. The second one – Khalish Si Hai – is a much better composition. Singer Suzan accompanies Kunal for the second song.

The album ends with the theme music - a highly westernized hollywoody track which is fairly intense and presents a range of moods.

Even though many songs are average,  this album is bound to be a party pleaser and a sure hit with the younger crowds.

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