Songs at the end of the review.
Badshah’s guest composition Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai is possibly a tribute to Yo Yo Honey Singh; the style is derivative, even the lines have a reference. Marginally engaging, low shelf life song. Singing by the composer/lyricist and Aastha is sprightly. Enter lead composer Sneha Khanwalkar. The Sound Trippin’ vibe is high on Engine Ki Seethi, outlandish sounds (led by the train whistle of course) strewn around the trippy arrangement (love the bassline!) to a traditional folksy tune (created by Ikram Rajasthani) that is nailed by Malayali singer Resmi Satheesh (a choice I would attribute to Sneha’s love for the unconventional) and Sunidhi Chauhan. The wackiness doesn’t work as well in Sunidhi’s second song Baal Khade though. Maa Ka Phone is a riot, Southern percussion and Punjabi percussion whipped up with phone ringtone and vibrator sounds in a heady techno concoction. The wacky lyrics by Amitabh Varma and Sneha Khanwalkar are delivered in style by Priya Panchal and Mauli Dave (thought I heard Sneha too in places)! Preet is probably the most un-Sneha Khanwalkar-esque song from the lady I have heard, the characteristic outlandish sounds are curbed to a considerable extent, there is a lovely, dreamy central melody, and an arrangement that mostly follows on the same haunting line (albeit with a brass band style percussion and claps alongside). Jasleen Kaur Royal sounds lovely on the vocals. One more guest composition closes the soundtrack, this time by Amaal Malik. A simple, free-flowing melody that is given an unplugged an acoustic treatment, and very nicely sung by Sona Mohapatra and Armaan Malik.
Barring that one uncharacteristically sweet melody, Khoobsurat finds Sneha Khanwalkar in her element.
Music Aloud Rating: 7.5/10
Top Recos: Preet, Maa Ka Phone, Engine Ki Seethi
