Big Brother 

A Sunny Deol film doesn't quite make one look forward to its music. Especially so when a film is an actioner with a title like 'Big Brother' and has been in the making for years. First film for which Priyanka Chopra shot before making her debut as a lead actor in 'Andaz', 'Big Brother' was earlier titled 'Deodhar Gandhi' and has Guddu Dhanoa at the helm. He is the same director who has delivered two successful films 'Ziddi' and 'Salakhen' with Deol.

The film is looking for an early March release and before that the music by Sandesh Shandilya with a guest composition by Anand Raaj Anand has hit the stands. Sandesh Shandilya has given some very good music for Sunny Deol's home production 'Socha Na Tha'. Though one doesn't expect an entire soundtrack belonging to the same class in 'Big Brother', even if there are a couple or more decent tunes in the film, it may not be a bad deal after all. Well, that exactly is the case as Sandesh arrives with exactly two numbers that make 'Big Brother' a decent hear.

What a surprise!!? And a big one at that! Opening track 'Piya' is so uncharacteristic of a love song that one expects from a Sunny Deol film that it has to be heard to be believed. This romantic track has Shreya Ghoshal in her flawless rendition once again while Kunal Ganjawala makes one look at the credits once again too since he is extremely mellowed and controlled in the way he goes about singing in a low pitch.

Written by Anil Pandey, 'Piya' is a poetic track has Ustad Sultan Khan making an entry at the very middle of the song who adds on to the melodious flavor of the song. A beautiful number that comes very easy on ears though it would be interesting to see how the song fits itself in the action mood of the film.

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The color of love is RED. And this is what is conveyed in the 'qawalli' 'Jag Lal Lal Lal Lal' which has Sandesh Shandiya and Anil Pandey teaming up again. The good part is that Ustad Sultan Khan is roped in as a sole crooner for this song which makes it a heartening listening experience. By this time one actually starts wondering of 'Big Brother' is an action or a romantic film? Though one is quite sure that it is former, it is quite a gladdening sight to see such a number creating a space for itself in the film.

If you have liked 'Aawan Ankhiyan Jawan Akhiyan' [Ahista Ahista], one of the best songs composed and rendered by Himesh Reshammiya, you would certainly be all IN for 'Jag Lal Lal' too. A very good hear which is repeated two more times in the album, one as a solo by Zubin Garg (who does a good job himself) and then later with both Ustad Sultan Khan and Garg coming together behind the mike for a 'jugalbandi'. Go for it!

In the same mode as 'Beedi Jalaile' and 'Namak Issak Ka' [Omkara] comes 'Baalam Tera Nakhra'. Though it may not have a similar appeal as the aforementioned songs, it is similar in the way it is rooted to the heartland of India and boasts of some authentic rendition by Sunidhi Chauhan who works hard on the way she modulates her voice.

Sandesh arranges his song as a mix of Indian and Western blend and creates a track which appears to be an item song for a situation in the film. Written by Nilesh Mishra, 'Baalam' doesn't quite look like a chartbuster in the making but is much better than some of the outright down-market item numbers heard in last few months or so.

Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Roop Kumar Rathod and Sadhna Sargam get together for a devotional number 'Jeevan Tumne Diya Hai' which comes close to the mood and style of 'Itni Shakti Hame Dena Daata' [Ankush]. Written by Sameer, it has all the necessary ingredients of a devotional song, whether it is the words or the pacing or the musical instruments used. Overall the orchestra used in the song belongs to the 60s variety and makes one remember the past when such songs were composed in dozens.

Guddu Dhanoa was perhaps the first Bollywood director who woke up to the strengths of incorporating item songs in the films. Whether it was 'Mera Dil Le Gayi Kammo Kidhar' [Ziddi] or 'Bicchoo Pade Hain' [Salakhen], he made it a point to have at least one crowd pleasing number in his films. It is due to the same reason that he utilizes the services of Anand Raaj Anand for the number 'Lak Tunu Tunu' that comes at the very end of the album.

ARA writes as well as sings the song in company of Jaspinder Narula and at the very onset one can make out that the song was composed years back when such songs were in vogue. Choreographed on Sunny Deol and Priyanka Chopra, it is an obvious item number in the film that has been incorporated to raise its stocks and though this Punjabi/Hindi song is fast paced and catchy, it comes at least 2-3 years late. Nevertheless, it can be heard for nostalgic value and seen for Sunny paaji's dance moves!

Overall 'Big Brother' is not a bad hear at all and is much better than what one had expected when one picked up the album amidst apprehensions. The only trouble is that music lovers would have a bias against the album due to the film's title, theme and treatment and hence may not quite be aware about what is actually in store for them in the album. Sandesh Shandilya has done well in creating at least a couple of good numbers - 'Piya' and 'Jag Lal Lal' - that are good enough reasons to give the album a hear.