Nagesh Kuknoor' 8x10 Tasveer, is a action thriller, which leaves little scope for music and musical situations. But composers Salim Sulaiman, Neeraj Sridhar and Bohemia have managed to override that handicap and come up with a score which has its moments. Kuknoor too has managed to work the music very intelligently into the fabric of his movie.
However, the album opens on a slightly disappointing note with the number 'Aaja Maahi'. The number which has been composed and sung by Neeraj Sridhar, along with Tulsi Kumar, is nothing more than pleasant. It lacks the usual peppy Sridhar magic. 'Aaja Mahi' has a remixed version too, which makes for pleasant hearing. But the song fails to work any magic primarily because of Sridhar having an off day. The saving grace of the number is actually Tulsi, who manages to make an impact.
The next number in the album, 'Haafiz Khuda', which has been composed by Salim-Suliaman, written by Irrfan Siddiqui with vocals by Mohit Chauhan and Tulsi Kumar, is a real winner. However, the song really belongs to Mohit, who has been making waves ever since his solo number in Jab We Met ( composed by Pritam), became a hit. Subsequently all his composers have given him numbers which play to his strength. He is in his elements when it comes to free flowing, melodious numbers and that is what 'Haafiz Khuda' is all about. This is a number which asks to be heard several times more. It has a remixed version as well, but the original is definitely the winner.
Mohit and Tulsi team up for another duet in the film, 'Kuchh Is Tarah', which again has a certain kind of magic to it. But that's probably because its tune is similar to 'Haafiz Khuda.' It is a soft melodious track which works well. Again, it is Mohit who stands out with his rendition. He makes this song and renders it in his own irresistible style. In one of those rare instances, the remixed version of this song, which has been written by Siddiqui, too happens to work well.
Bohemia holds forth with the next number, 'I Got The Picture', which has a remixed version as well. This is the second time that the US rapper is singing for actor Akshay Kumar, the first being in Chandni Chowk To China. The number which has been written, composed and sung by Bohemia, is a peppy number, but it does have elements in it which seem to have been inspired by the film's genre. The remix of this track keeps the peppy mood going.
But the truly rocking number in this album is 'Nazaara Hai', which has been sung by Vishal Dadlani of the Vishal Shekhar team. It has a rock feel to it and who better than Vishal to render it with his powerful vocals. This number seems to hint at the events which are about to unfold in this thriller as it has an exciting edge to it. This is a number which is bound to be very popular. It remixed version, however, does not have that edge to it and thus fails to enthral.
Of the three composers who have contributed to this album, Salim Sulaiman definitely prove to be quite impressive. Bohemia too manages to hold one's attention. But if one wants to single out any one number, then it has to be 'Nazaara Hai which creates a powerful impact. But where the album and the music of the film is considered as a whole, it is not your chartbusting kinds but still manages to create its moments.
