This review took a long time to be written. When one listens to just one song repeatedly without moving on further to the rest of the songs, then this was bound to happen. So after hearing the wonderfully composed title song by Ashaji for umpteenth number of times, I finally decided to listen to seven other tracks as well. Most of the tracks have a whiff of fresh air around them. One can just close the eyes and feel the breeze surrounding him.

Now there is a problem!!! That`s because now Ashaji would be surely nominated for at least two songs this year - `Kambakth Ishq` which was a cry of a youth in love and now `Filhaal` which depicts the mature emotions of a woman. Tough choice!! Her singing style and the lyrics by Gulzar in the Title song so very much resemble the kind of songs that made `Ijazat` memorable. Now comparison with Burman Da`s score should be enough reason for Anu Malik - Filhaal`s composer - to celebrate. It must have been a Herculean for Anu Malik to set the lyrics by Gulzar to tune but he does a great job in the end. Cheers !! Instrumental of `Filhaal` is another bonus.

`Waqt Ka Saaya` and `Dil Ke Sannate` are sad and haunting. They both aim at causing a depressing effect and are successful with that. If the credits wouldn`t have mentioned it, then it would have been difficult to believe that `Waqt Ka Saaya` has actually been rendered by Sonu Nigam. On repeated listening, one does realize it but nevertheless, he sounds remarkably different. He sings at the top of his voice which is so different from his routine style of subdued vocals as in his albums `Jaan`, `Deewana` and `Yaad`. Jaspinder Narula gives him company in this song which is about life`s philosophy and the twists and turns that may happen. `Dil Ke Sannate` is yet another sad number about loneliness. Palash Sen sings for himself here. The song is as per the demand of the situation and Palash does manage to exude the pain of the protagonist.

`Le Chalen Doliyon Mein` by Roop Kumar Rathod and Chitra has a South Indian flavor of musical style attached to it. It is a slow love song but the orchestra suddenly gathers momentum towards the end. `Sola Singaar Karke` by Jaspinder Narula gets the same kick start as another Anu Malik composition `Taare Hai Baarati` from `Virasat`. It is sung on the occasion of the `god-bharai` ceremony that takes place at one of the lead players home. Even it has got the punjabi elements of celebrations (our filmmakers can`t really escape from the punjabi angle...isn`t it??)

Two numbers that are quite similar in overall feel and style are `Kyun Baar Baar` and `Naya Naya`. `Kyun Baar Baar` is a beautiful love song set to melodious music by Anu Malik. Chitra`s voice again has that `coolness` effect which is wonderfully soothing to ears. Full marks to Chitra for this one. `Naya Naya` is another Chitra number with K.K. who thankfully gets to sing a romantic number for a change. Otherwise most of the numbers he gets are the sad intense numbers. K.K. proves that given a chance he can be excellent in this genre as well. Great going K.K. And kudos to Anu Malik too for composing such wonderful melodies. This is yet another quality product by the combo of Anu Mailk and Gulzar after `Asoka`.

Well Filhaal is definitely not for the man on the streets. Primarily because of the heavy duty lyrics by Gulzar which are quite poetic in nature. It is difficult to visualize a common man humming such numbers (except for the title song). But Filhaal certainly holds a distinct CLASS appeal which will be related well by the audience in Mumbai, South India, other major cosmopolitan and of course the NRI audience. That`s all for now as `filhaal` I am busy listening to `Ye Lamha Filhaal Je Leene De