Lootera

Times Of India review
Music Director: Amit Trivedi
Rating: 3
Simple, heart-tugging melodies are what make up the soundscape of Amit Trivedi’s latest musical outing, Lootera. Two songs, in particular, Sawaar Loon, sung by Monali Thakur and Ankahee, rendered by the film’s lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya are totally repeat-worthy. They wash over you, in recurrent nostalgic waves, growing in appeal with each listen.They hark back to influences from the Burman (father and son) eras, transporting the listener to a time and place long past.
Shikayatein is pleasant enough track, with Amitabh returning to singing duties but it doesn’t impress. Then there’s Swanand Kirkire on Monta Re, going into Baul mode, chiding his silly heart for losing direction. Beautiful piece, but not too accessible to a general listener. Next comes Zinda, sung by Amit. It seems, all at once, that too much is happening. Several instruments are at play. Lost among it all, is his voice. If only he had meant the words instead of merely singing them soothingly: ‘Mujhe chhod do mere haal pe, zinda hoon yaar, kaafi hai’. Lastly, there’s Manmarziyan sung by Shilpa Rao with harmonizing by composer and lyricist. It reminds you so much of some Dev.D tracks, that it’s hard to miss the similarities.
While the lyrics are in a league of their own, the music for the most part is signature Trivedi. Good, but this one doesn’t have the cutting-edge musical wizardry we’ve come to expect of him, in that measure.