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EXPECTATIONS

One thought that it was just the producers v/s distributors strike period when small films were releasing at theaters in dozens.

However, that seems far from true, what with more and more movies belonging to all shapes and sizes releasing in the current season. One such film is Shadow where the USP is a blind man enacting the role of a character with a full vision.

To support this guy, there are number of other 'way past their prime' actors who have been roped in. Anand Raj Anand is the composer who also writes the lyrics of Shadow with Anjaan Saagri pitching in as well. Frankly, expectations are near to nil.

MUSIC

Gosh, the entire 'sharaab' and 'shabaab' celebrations are so passé in this side of the century but Anand Raaj Anand continues to wear his Punjabi fixation up his sleeves.

This time around he composes 'Yaariyan' where he plays the triple role of composer, lyricist as well as singer. He is joined by Anushka Manchanda who certainly must be wondering if it was actually worth it to be a part of this setup.

A number like this may have worked 5 years back but today it can at maximum expect to be played in smaller cities and towns.

An album made entirely of item/promotional numbers, Shadow next sees Sunidhi Chauhan coming behind the mike for 'Masti' that has lyrics like 'Shaam Ki Rangeeniyan, Jaam Ki Shaukiniyaan' etc. etc.

Hold on there is more - 'Zyaada Khopdi Kharch Naa Kar, Dil Mil Jaayega Search Naa Kar; Yeh Hai Deewanon Ki Basti, Ke Jee Le Masti Masti Masti Masti'. And the award goes to the man who goes by the name of Anjaan Saagri!

An item number which features none other than Sonali Kulkarni gyrating her body on stage, 'Masti' is yet another front bencher number.

Credit it to Sukhvinder Singh who actually manages to make the title song Shadow work to an extent.

Composed in a manner similar to that of James Bond theme track, 'Shadow', which has Aakruti Kakad chipping in, does work to an extent of creating that intrigue quotient.

Of course the entire rhythm around 'Shadow Shadow Shadow' is so early 80s and reminds one of Mithun Chakraborty films a la Gun Master G9. Expect the number to be played in the opening or end credit rolls.

Well, for those missing an item number, there is some good news. After 'Yaariyan' and 'Masti', there is third such number in the form of 'Khumariyan'. While the setting is quite similar to that of 'Masti', the music too follows the same lines and throws predictable results, what with Anjaan Saagri re-emerging on the scene as a lyricist.

Surprise surprise - This time around Anand Raaj Anand gets inspired by A.R. Rahman and picks strings from 'Khwaja Mera Khwaja' (Jodhaa Akbar) to make 'Rabba Rabba'. This one though is the only soothing number in the entire album which otherwise went quite loose on the decibel quotient.

Also, after the initial 'mukhda', Anand Raj Anand gets back to his style of composition for the 'antara' portion. Roop Kumar Rathod is the right choice as a singer as he lends some credibility to the number.

Just when it seemed that there was something redeeming about Shadow comes one of the most atrocious numbers that one would have heard this year. Titled 'Dil Ke Taar', the number tries to go back into the 50s and while Aakruti Kakad at least attempts to get it right, Anand Raj Anand completely kills the number with his badly modulated voice. This is a song that one cannot survive beyond a couple of minutes.

OVERALL

Poor. Really poor.