Ashutosh Gowarikar has delivered some really commendable films in recent times based on patriotic themes with good music albums to boast of. That is why his next movie, Abhishek-Deepika starrer, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se, has generated so much interest. Moving away from his favorite, A.R. Rahman, Gowarikar has decided to repeat his What’s Your Rashee? music director, Sohail Sen. Sohail, whose previous album had garnered positive reviews seems like a promising music director. So does he live up to the expectations? Well, let’s find out…
Since the movie is based in the pre-independence era during the freedom struggle, it is obvious the soundtrack would not be the run-of-the-mill kind and it will definitely have a few patriotic songs to its credit. Well, the album boasts of 12 tracks out of which 7 are instrumental (to be used as background scores). Lyrics are by Javed Akhtar, yet another repetition for Ashutosh. The album kicks off with the song Yeh Desh Hai Mera, a beautiful track song by Sohail himself. With inspiring lyrics that talk about the will to eradicate darkness from our country and bring back the light of joy and freedom, this soft number does remind you of Rahman’s ‘Yeh Desh Hai Mera’ from Swades. But to do him justice, this is one good track which will definitely remain in your mind. Also there’s a instrumental mix of this song, Revolutionary Comrades (Soft) which does start out as a soft, slow melody but picks up pace near the end.
After a good start, the next number is one which I am sure each and everyone will love after one hearing itself. Naiyn Tere is a very sweet number sung by Pamila Jain (‘Mannunga Mannunga’ from What’s Your Rashee?) and Rajini Jose about two friends teasing each other about their silent love. Can’t help but feel that it does remind you of another Rahman track: ‘Radha Kaise Na Jale’ from Lagaan. With an innocent feel to it, this one’s my personal favorite from the album. There’s also a sad version of this song, sung by Pamila again which also is a pretty decent number.
An album as this is incomplete without an awe-inspiring song which is where the third track, the title song, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se, comes into picture. Sung by the kids chorus of the Suresh Wadkar Ajivasan Music Academy, this brings the much needed ‘josh’ in the soundtrack. 
Beautiful combination of the chorus and instruments makes this one a winner as well. There is an instrumental version of this song, Long Live Chittagong, which makes good use of especially the violin. Another instrumental track of this song, The Teenager’s Whistle, is also a pretty good one which has a great blend of the accordion, sitar and of course the whistle.
Sapne Saloney by Sohail and Pamila, is another soft romantic number untainted by any unwanted instrumentations. Akhtar’s lyrics about a lover promising his beloved of a future of togetherness for them but only after he has fulfilled his duties first, add to the magic of the song. This is one number which can prove as a shining example in today’s time as to how the use of excessive beats is not a compulsion for making a song an endearing one. In the instrumental version of this song Surjya’s sorrow is again a nice and sorrowful rendition of flutes and sitar and creates an impact with its final product.
The next track, Vande Mataram (Revised from Sanskrit to Hindi), as the name suggests contains the lyrics translated from Sanskrit to Hindi. Sung by Cine Singers Association Chorus Group, this track has already made its presence felt through the trailers. Most probably to be used in the background, this number definitely sounds like one which will add to the emotions of the film. This song too has an instrumental track which again makes for a great background track.
There’s also another instrumental track called The Escapist, which in keeping with its name and scenes where it will be used, is fast paced with generous use of beats.
Sohail Sen definitely seems to be inspired by A.R.Rahman; there’s a Rahman feel to the album you can’t miss. Patriotic based movies generally have soundtracks which need repeated hearing and probably the support of the visuals to make them likeable and this movie is no different. You might need 3-4 hearings to actually have the songs grow on you. For his second big venture, Sohail definitely seems to have done a commendable job and has managed to capture the essence of the movie.
We are sure you will end up liking this one. Listen to it, if you want a fresh change from the recent endlessly churned out albums.
