For the last several decades, veteran director Yash Chopra has ruled the Indian film industry with his romantic, moving, and powerful films. In 1998, he finally had competition in the form of a young, amateur filmmaker with a monumental vision: Karan Johar.
Johar was 28 when he released Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, which went on to become a hit. His following two films, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kal Ho Na Ho, also broke box office records.
Now the man himself is back after 3 years with one of the most anticipated films of 2006: Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (Never Say Goodbye). His latest venture has a daunting cast that includes some of Johar's favorites: Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Kirron Kher.
The album was recently released, and I finally have the chance to write the review I’ve been waiting for. The music for Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna has been composed by trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy. Javed Akhtar has written the lyrics.
Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna- Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik
The opening piano notes of this song herald the beginning of an album that can only have a Karan Johar stamp on it. One would not expect the introductory song of any Hindi album to be about separation, but when the movie is titled Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, this is not entirely surprising. What can I say about this song? It’s soft. It’s beautiful. It’s heartbreaking. Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik do full justice to the emotions. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics are spot on. The real surprise in this song are Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy. The music directors truly prove their mettle and show that they don’t just create chartbusting item numbers. They can create chartbusting romantic pieces too!
The first thing that one notices about this song is that it’s totally different! It’s a typical Hindi song, infused with a Pakistani musical touch and a hint of Western influence. Everything from the instruments to the composition to the singing is refreshing. Shafaqat Amanat Ali’s classical renditions are impressive. As always, music director Shankar Mahadevan tries a different approach to his singing, and he does a good job. Caralisa has a small part but she has a very sweet voice and showcases it toward the end. This song also has a remix version (surprise, surprise). But unlike other remixes, I actually like this one. The original is so great and remixing it truly enhances the likeability factor of this song. Perfect for a remix!
Where's The Party Tonight- Loy Mendoza, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan, Vasundhara Das
This song reminds me a lot of It’s the Time to Disco from Kal Ho Na Ho. This is the only song in the album that I didn’t get totally excited about. But, it’s catchy, it’s hip, and most importantly, they got their English pronunciations right! Loy Mendoza does the techno voice, Shankar Mahadevan does the English, and Shaan and Vasundhara Das join in with the Hindi lyrics. I have mixed feelings about this song. Some parts I like, some I thought could’ve been better. But I didn’t dislike it. No, it’s an okay song.
Tumhi Dekho Na- Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik
This romantic number is pleasing to the ears and a welcome piece after the fast-paced “Where’s the Party Tonight.” Again, Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik do a fabulous job. The music is soothing and the lyrics are heartfelt. A typical Karan Johar piece! (Think Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Suraj Hua Maddham, and Kal Ho Na Ho).
Rock N’Roll Soniye- Mahalaxmi Iyer, Shaan, Shankar Mahadevan
I love it! This song is totally like a 70s rock and roll piece. It might not appeal to the masses, but I thought it was a fun little song. It sounds like they had a blast doing this one! Shaan is rockin’ and Shankar is rollin’ in this song. And yay for Mahalaxmi Iyer! One wishes she would get behind the mic more often. Another thing, if you don’t like this song, at least wait until the end before turning it off. So overall, I can’t really predict the fate of this song at the box office, but the 70s groove is certainly different from your normal, run-of-the-mill Hindi songs. A valiant effort by Shankar Ehsaan Loy.
Like every Karan Johar album, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna is classy, hip, and emotional all at the same time. Go buy it people. You won’t be disappointed! Now I’m waiting for the movie. And Arjun Rampal. Yes folks, who really cares about Shahrukh Khan when you have a Greek god to look at. Yay for a good album!
My personal favourite are the title song "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" and "Tumhi Dekho Na"
They are both soft, touch your heart and have been sung with a lot of pathos and emotion.
Not to say other songs were bad, but the above two really touched me emotionally (which cannot be said for most of the songs I have been listening lately).
The only dicey one in terms of populaity at this time looks like "Rock & Roll Soniye". It looks like it is more of a situational song and after seeing it on screen, one may like it more.
Lets party tonight seems fun.
It is no SURPRISE!! SEL always live up to expectations.. The only films that did not do well, did so because of a weak story line!! SEL are kings Keep it up SEL, LOVED KANK, all of them!!
Well i have to asy that Karan Johars films are notmy cup oftea.His is a usual story which have been tried but supportedby bigguns. How can you expect a film which stars Kajol and shahrukh to fail? Then throw in Amitabh, Hrithik and kareena. Now he adds preity and Abhuishek. It does remind me alot of sony tv seriels.Horrible. But the music has had its advantages
Hey, sorry but i did not like the first two songs i heard from this KANK. Tumhi Dekho Na is so long and lifeless(and boring to the ears too!). The title track is long too----8 minutes+----.
I can't comment on the others songs becuz i did not feel like listening the them after these songs.
so i have to say some thing that when i heard the name of this film i liked it coz when i hear the name of shahrukh khan in any film i defenetly see that film and here in our street all people wait for it.so i think it will be a nice film.
I think its a great album overall,my fav song's have to be the title & tumhi dekho na,Rest songs i bleiv are also great i dont think one needs 2 skip any song..u can listen 2 the enitre thing without getting bored!It's something we'd all expect from karan johar lyrics are awesome...& shankar ehsaan loy have done a great job something diff to what they'v produced in the past.Singers have done great justice speacially alka yagnik & sonu nigam!i give 10/10 for this!!!
I can't believe you didn't like - Where's The Party Tonight. I just loved it. It is much better than "It is the time to Disco". I can't get it out of my head.
My absolutly fever song is the first one "Khabhi Alvida Na Kehna" it s very emotionfull and also and applicable on a quantity life situations in which we today are. Separation - a thought in the first moment hurts, but it is not for the eternity. A Song that the touch the souls affects. From Sonu Nigaam and Alka Yagnik sung (this pair agitated something magic in Suraj Huaa Madham of K3G), this TRACKs is a soft up that the core in the Song with amazing lyric poetry
My second one a nice and very diffrent song:
Mitwaa Revisted is a mixture of Mitwaa. This mix is by far better than the original. It is a good job from the trio: Shafqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan, Caralisa
I like to dance to the Song: "Where's The Party Tonight" sung from Shaan, Vasundhara, Loy, Shankar
The entire songs bring the listener into an exciting romantic and very emotional world of the feelings - they are adapted to our society in the whole world. This delicate topic of this film happens daily somewhere in this world.
I look forward much to this film
The songs are really superb, especially 'mitwa' and 'tumhi dekho na'.. surprisingly i liked the mitwa remix better..!! all the others were up to the mark as well...wheres the party tonite catches on after listenin it a couple of times..cheers to SEL!!!
The songs are too good especially whees the party tonght , i had downloaded it on 16th June from www.fungalaxy.cjb.net itself ,
title track is too slow .. THe music of farewell trance is too good .
Where's the party is a an good item number.
The album is worth buy , and its best one for the year 2006 . any idea when iis the movie releasing
the songs of KANK are really very good specially where's the party tonight.They touches to our heart.I was waiting for this from long time and now i got release because now i can hear all the songs from KANK and i m sure this will go super hit.
Must add that "Mitwa" is a surprise element. The fusion element is fantastic. The lyrics is multidimentional and has a Sufi element. "Mitwa" incidently is the Director's favourite, "an evocative ballad picturised on Shah Rukh. It just rips the screen apart."The beauty of "Tumhi Dekho Na" and "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" is that the lyrics and music complement each (without one overshadowing the other).
It remains to be seen whether the pathos felt when listening "Tumhi Dekho Na" and "Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna" have been translated as well by the actors on screen. For e.g. in the "Fanaa" sound track, did not think too much of "Mere Haath Me", however, after watching it on screen, must say, it is one of the most beautifully picturized song.
Understandibly, two points of view are emerging regarding this sound track, where folks have either loved the slow tracks (Tumhi Dekho Na, KANK) while others have liked the faster party songs (Where's the Party Tonight, Rock & Roll). "Mitwa" is the keysone which connects the two moods of this sound track.
the songs r gr8.sonu has done a gr8 job.im looking forward 2 c dis movie.
the music is defenitely a huge relief from himesh songs.
shahrukh i jus love u.u rock&rule the bolywood.all the best
Your appreciation of the music is understandable.. Its fresh, as the trios' music has always been. But does Karan Johar, and even Yash, desreve so much applause?
