'Wanted' has been in the making for a while but has still managed to stay in the news. One of the reasons is because it is a remake of the Tamil hit film 'Pokhiri', and secondly because it has Prabhudeva, the man with the elastic body, turning director with this movie. Coming from the house of Boney Kapoor, it is expected to be another lavish treat, as the producer is known to be very generous with the purse where his films are concerned. The film should be meaning a lot for Salman Khan, who has not had a hit in ages. It sees the tempestuous Khan teaming up with Ayesha Takia for the film. With Salman in the lead, it is really comes as no surprise that the music has been composed by Sajid Wajid, with lyricists, Jalees Shervani, Shabbir Ahmed and Sameer penning the compositions. There are at least a couple of numbers from this album which should manage to make it to the charts.
The album begins with a track called 'Love Me Love Me' which has been written by Shervani and sung by Wajid and Amrita Kak. The music composer has been singing quite seriously and this time he gangs up with Amrita for a number which has an instantly catchy feel to it. The number has a remixed version (Akbar Sami) as well. There is nothing profoundly musical about it, but it is bound to have a large appeal.
Kamaal Khan makes a comeback of sorts with the second number 'Ishq Vishq', along with Sunidhi Chauhan and Suzanne D'Mello. But the real star of the song is Kamaal, who shot into prominence when he sang 'Oh, Oh, Jaane Jaana' for Salman for the movie 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya'. He stages his comeback to playback singing with Salman again and perhaps hopes to replicate that success. This song, written by Sameer, sees Sunidhi mking a belated entry towards the fag end with Suzaane providing the backup vocals. This is yet another number which is likely to do well more because of its entertainment value than for its musical quotient. This has a remixed version as well which packs in just as much fun as its original.
Sajid Wajid finally turn to some serious music making with the third number 'Dil Leke', which is sung by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal. Written by Arun Bhairav, this number is a like a soothing oasis after the fun and masti of the previous two numbers. Even though it sounds vaguely familiar, it is a good number and sees both singers acquitting themselves well. There is remix version of this number as well and it really adds nothing to the original.
'Le le Mazaa', the next track on the album, sees Suzanne, Saumaya Rao, Hrishikesh Kamerkar and Nikita Nigam pitching for a track that has a decidedly Spanish touch to it. The lyrics of this number have been written by Wajid and Shaabir Ahmed. It turns out to be quite an average track with nothing special in the music or entertainment department.
'Jalwa', the next song in the album, has a very catchy, urgent appeal to it, but barring that, there is little to recommend in this number. It also has a remixed version which is also largely ineffective. Wajid lends his vocals to this number along with Fx and Earl, who add the rap elements.
The composers and filmmakers play to the gallery with the next number, 'Tose Pyar Karte Hain', which has been sung by Wajid and Sunidhi Chauhan. There is really nothing original about this number as this kind of a 'desi' number has been done to death. But yes, the beat and tune is infectious and the song has been sung with a lot of enthusiasm by the singers. It has a remixed version as well, which occurs later in the album as the 'Bhojpuri Makkhan Mix.'
The album ends with a title track called the 'Most Wanted Track,' the lyrics of which have also been credited to Salman, who recites his dialogues through the track. The superstar is intentionally playing to the gallery out here and this may well be lapped up by Salman loyalists.
'Wanted' turns out to be quite a tame affair after all in the music department. There are three tracks in this album which are likely to do well. The first of these is the obvious, 'Tose Pyar Karte Hain' number. It is bound to go down well with a certain section of the audience. In the days of singleplexes, when life was easier, they would be called the front benchers. Besides this number, Kamaal Khan's 'Ishq Vishq' too has a certain infectious air to it. Then, of course there is the first number, 'Love Me Love Me', which is quite catchy in its own way. However, taken as a whole, this is not an album which will stand out in Sajid Wajid's repertoire. Except for a couple of tracks, the rest of the album is quite average. In fact, it is the song picturisation which may lift the music of this film. But definitely not the most wanted album in town!
