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Although Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol premiered amid much fanfare this week throughout Pakistan, its soundtrack has been on music stores’ shelves since the beginning of June and features the voices of Atif Aslam, Hadiqa Kiani, Sajjad Ali, Shabnam Majeed, Ahmed Jahanzeb and Shuja Haider. It comprises seven songs and a theme to the film.
Hona Tha Piyar by Atif Aslam and Hadiqa Kiani: The opening track is characteristically Atif Aslam — you can tell with the dramatic bridge in the song, standing out to declare the transition from verse to chorus. Originally, the song was recorded with Faiza Mujahid, but producers decided to go with pop royalty Hadiqa Kiani for its film version. With subtle strumming reflective of Indian film music, Hona Tha Piyar is a well put-together composition with Atif delivering it to perfection.
Din Preshan Hai by Sajjad Ali: This song is not the Sajjad Ali of Coke Studio’s Kirkir or yesteryears’ Babiya fame. Rather, it is more reminiscent of Pankaj Udhaas. Din Preshan Hai has two versions on the soundtrack: the cinema version being more pensive with soulful flute solos and harmonising violins. The other version is faster but carries much of the same tune.
Dil Janiyan by Hadiqa Kiani: It begins as the kind of feel-good song you would expect ’80s music fans to be snapping fingers and swaying their heads to, but Hadiqa decides to take hip overboard — this time to the cheesy Bollywood trend of having a salt ’n’ peppa-style rap in the middle complete with a “yo yo” shout. “I must have made a mistake, cuz there’s no compensatin’, now all I need is a hit, so don’t you kick me baby” is unforgivably unforgettable.
Say’yan Bolain by Shabnam Majeed: The most original of the octet, it is an ode to classical composition. The lyrics betray a tragic resignation while Shabnam Majeed sings “Say’yan bolain” and Iman Ali’s reportedly tormenting routine becomes a must-see part of the film.
Mumkin Hai: Similar in genre yet more contemporary compared to Din Preshan Hai, this is another soft-pop composition by Ahmed Jahanzeb and Shuja Haider. Easy to listen to, this four-beat track is the kind that would be best played driving on a cloudy day. Romantic lyrics and a looped drumbeat mean this will be on many a play list.
Kaho by Atif Aslam and Hadiqa Kiani: Meant to be the Bol anthem, the song in the promos shows Atif dressed in white belting it out with his female counterpart. It has a rock feel to it with the drums and guitars hit hard, but the raw energy does not go overboard. Catchy, fun and electric; Kaho steals the show from all the other tracks on the soundtrack.
Score: An interesting piece, most people will likely skip over the track because of its ghostly feel — a sort of Legend of Zelda-meets-subcontinent. It has a rather pleasant transition to the theme of Din Preshan Hai.
Though there is a heavy Bollywood influence here, the Bol soundtrack is worth listening to as Atif Aslam, Sajjad Ali and Shabnam Majeed are on the top of their game. The composition, recording and lyrics are very clean and should go a long way to play their part for the ultimate goal: the revival of cinema in Pakistan, of course.
