Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

Now years after being heard last as a composer and mainly seen as a talent show judge, Darbar returns with his score for MEHBOOBA. Well, even this too is not a comeback in true terms since Afzal Khan directed MEHBOOBA (starring Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan and Manisha Koirala) is a film which has been a decade long in the making and is now finally seeing the light of the day.

However, contrary to what one would believed before playing on the album, the music of MEHBOOBA pleasantly surprises, even though from sheer nostalgia factor. What one hears is a sound that is so close to the style of Laxmikant Pyaarelal that one tends to start drawing comparisons for each of the 8 songs that fills this album.

In the soundtrack of MEHBOOBA, what impresses most is the sheer grandeur in terms of arrangements and orchestra which promises something big on the silver screen. The songs may not have the kind of club sound with rhythm galore, something which dominates the soundtracks today, but does carry an old world nostalgic quotient which brings Laxmikant Pyaarelal closer home.

Whether it is 'Khwabo Ki Rani Hai', 'Dilruba Teri Aankhe Palkhe', 'Yaar Tera Shukriya Pyar Tera Shukriya', 'Babuji Bahut Dukhta Hai' or 'Kuch Kar Lo Kuch' - each of these songs has a distinct LP touch to it! MEHBOOBA is grand, no doubt about that. Also, there is no doubt about the fact that if released 8-10 years back, it would have been a certain hit.

Also, another interesting factor is the lyrics by Late Anand Bakshi saab, which makes MEHBOOBA as perhaps lyricist's last work. Well, Bakshi saab would have been happy if the album would have released when he was alive since Ismail Darbar doesn't let him down!