Every person and their dog has an opinion about Udta Punjab. The moral police, NGOs, and everyone in between are queuing up in Indian courts with PILs. A lot of people are offended for godawful reasons. The censor print leaked, yet we’re happily grabbing our tickets and samosas to find out, aakhir hai kya is picture mein! What doesn’t get enough recognition, however, is the film’s thumping, versatile soundtrack, which isn’t quite the doper’s playlist one might expect. Here’s what the album has in store.
The signature song of Udta Punjab, Chitta Ve, takes a little time to grow on you. For starters, we Indians aren’t used to rap minus the irrelevant, misogynistic lyrics. Heavy on techno beats and with a generous dose of auto-tune, the track eventually transforms into the ultimate party anthem once the groove kicks in. Shellee’s lyrics are gutsy, unusual, and roar out everything the Censor Board didn’t want you to hear. “Busy” is the word for Amit Trivedi’s composition. It’s all over the place, mixing genres, playing around with tempo, and occasionally letting the auto-tuned portions become a distraction. Yet the track fits the film’s theme like a glove. An incredible beginning to the soundtrack.
What’s with Bollywood’s reprise versions? We often end up loving them more than the originals, unless they’re crooned by Salman Khan. The case isn’t any different here. Diljit Dosanjh’s innocent voice beautifully captures the essence of Shiv Kumar Batalvi’s timeless poem, Ikk Kudi. And let’s not ignore his flawless, earthy pronunciation. Shahid Mallya is no greenhorn, but this song isn’t quite his. His vocals feel a little too raspy, with the emotions clearly amiss, perhaps due to the minimal orchestration. Overall, the lyrics and rendition are so pristine and tender that the next track gives you a cultural whiplash.
Here comes the best track on the album, the title song, Ud-Daa Punjab. From the catchy hook and groovy rap to the splendid instrumentation, the song has everything going for it musically. What steals the show? The ballsy lyrics by the fantastic Varun Grover. The strong words never overwhelm the melody. Yes, it has one. They simply help bring the tune alive. Amit Trivedi and Vishal Dadlani’s contrasting vocals work beautifully in the song’s favour. For starters, one wouldn’t expect Trivedi to pull this off like a pro, and boy, does he deliver.
Have you ever heard Kanika Kapoor minus the baby dolls, chittiyan, kalaiyaan, farratte, and all her usual props? In Da Da Dasse, she does exactly that. What we thought only a Richa Sharma could pull off, Kanika manages with remarkable ease in this trippy Punjabi pop number. Babu Haabi’s rap portions are so good that your faith in the genre returns after years of enduring Honey Singh and Badshah. Although the peppy folk melody gets a wee bit monotonous towards the end, Da Da Dasse remains a solid track. Special mention to Shellee’s thoughtful lyrics.
The weakest track of the enterprise is Amit Trivedi’s Vadiya. The lyrics aren’t bad, but the pedestrian rendition and the psychedelic elements in the composition jar big time. The base melody evokes a strong sense of Trivedi déjà vu, which further dilutes the impact. More of a situational track, Vadiya will probably make better sense within the film’s narrative.
Shahid Mallya’s Has Nachle is a standout qawwali-inspired number that challenges Ud-Daa Punjab for the title of the album’s finest track. The chorus and harmonium notes lend it a soothing vintage touch, giving the song immense repeat value.
So, if you’re done with your mandatory trip to the cinema hall, spend some time with Udta Punjab‘s supremely versatile soundtrack, an album that truly has something for every kind of Indian film music lover. Meanwhile, the music team behind Udta Punjab deserves a massive bow.
