The film maker whose career zoomed with one of the biggest music hits ever [Rangeela] surprisingly has been having inconsistent musical scores for some of his recent movies. While Ram Gopal Verma's 'Naach' had the kind of music that was more European than Indian in feel, his 'Ek Haseena Thi', 'Ab Tak Chappan' and 'Bhoot' worked mainly on the power of background music. His recent 'Sarkar' had one of the most original background tracks ever that created a haunting feel in each and every frame of the movie.
With the music of 'James', there is an attempt to go Bollywood-ish. Launching Haryana's 'jat-puttar' Mohit Ahlawat as a lead hero in tow with Lolita-like Nisha Kothari [seen in a small role in 'Sarkar'], RGV also sets a launch pad for young director Rohit Jugraj who attempts at creating 21st century version of 'Shiva'. Nitin Raikwar. Prasanna Shekhar and Bapi Tutul share original compositions for the music album of 'James' that also boasts of some added bonus songs, which have been recent hits.
1) Zindagi Jeene Ka Naam Hai [Singer: Shweta Pandit, composer/lyricist: Nitin Raikwar]
Seemingly an introduction song for the lead heroine Nisha Kothari, who is all dressed up [or the lack of it] as a school girl, it reminds of Rangeela's title track that introduced Urmila Matondkar. Though the track isn't as pacy and groovy as the evergreen track from Rangeela, the overall arrangements and zippy treatment [choreography, cinematography and above all Nisha's 'bindaas' personality] make the number worth watching. Shweta Pandit sounds like a confident girl looking forward to life and keeps the interest in the song alive.
2) Suraj Ki Kirno [Singer: Sonu Nigam, Shweta Pandit, composer/lyricist: Nitin Raikwar]
For the second time in succession, Nitin Raikwar's inspiration lies in one of the earlier works of RGV. This time it is 'Mast', from where he is inspired by Sandeep Chowta's tune for 'Aasmaan Kehta Hai Rab Se'. The number though has a different theme as a lovelorn couple showing appreciating each other with references to the beauty of nature but the flow and treatment of the number [in a slow and subtle fashion] is clearly reminiscent of Chowta's composition.
3) Hero [Singer: Sunidhi Chauhan, lyrics: Nitin Raikwar, music: Prasanna Shekhar]
Prasanna Shekhar, who has been getting good opportunities in RGV films [D, Sarkar] composes an item track 'Hero' for 'James'. Though Sunidhi Chauhan tries her best to make the character of 'James' a super-hero, the ordinary tune and even ordinary lyrics bring the number down on earth with a loud thud. A track that just doesn't have any chills or thrills to excite a viewer into watching out for this number on screen, now it all depends upon Ria Sen to sizzle while this track is on to revive some interest at all. Otherwise musically, the song just doesn't impress.
4) Jaan Hai [Singer: Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, composer/lyricist: Nitin Raikwar]
Ideas seem to be running short while the album nears its end as 'Jaan Hai' is not one of those compositions that one would love to play on a repeat mode. Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal are routine but to Nitin's credit, his lyrics are different from the routine. Overall this slow track is just about passable with only hopes from the video that should ignite fire on the big screen due to Nisha Kothari's antics!
5) Sindoori Aasmaan [Singer: Sonu Nigam and Shweta Pandit, lyrics: Sandeep Nath, composer Bapi Tutul]
Final track from the movie 'James' continues on a similar note as all the previous tracks and relies mainly on soft melody with slow music. 'Sindoor Aasmaan' too has lyrics different from the kind that one hears in regular Bollywood movies but one wonders how would the songs work in an actioner like