Music Review: Why Cheat India (Hindi)

Composer(s): Agnee, Guru Randhawa, Krsna Solo, Kunaal-Rangon, Rochak Kohli, Soumik Sen
Listen to the songs online here: JioSaavn

Why Cheat India takes the multi-composer soundtrack thingy to an altogether new level, featuring six songs by six different composers, but I must admit it all comes together quite well, at least for the most part. Guru Randhawa's opener Daaru Wargi is every bit the party stomper yet exudes a heard-before-feel that's impossible to shrug off. Soumik Sen-composed Taiyaari aptly echoes the education mindset of many a parent and teen, and the pressures of choosing a high-paying career option, although his laid-back singing is a bit of a letdown. The arrangement is superb however, with Rohan Roy's violin adding a subtle melancholic strain that's beautiful. Rochak Kohli, for his part, charms his way through the dulcet Ankit Tiwari-like melody Dil Mein Ho Tum that gains solid vocal purchase from Armaan Malik. Kunaal-Rangon's Phir Mulaaqat (in two versions sung by Jubin Nautiyal and Rii) expands on the sound further to offer a pathos-soaked ghazal'esque tune, aided splendidly by Aditya Dev's harmonium and Krishna Pradhan's tabla. The criminally underrated Krsna Solo shows up too, crafting what's a foot-tapping dholak-laden folk number Stupid Saiyaan, but it's Agnee who deliver the album's best in Kaamyaab, with the Pune-based rock outfit's frontman Mohan Kannan doing a stellar job on the vocals, not to mention employing Koco's strings to impressive effect. Why Cheat India is an ear-pleasing effort, but then it's no surprise for a Emraan Hashmi starrer, is it?

Comments