Okay, we are aware of the fact - The songs of Race 3 are trending high on all musical charts, including the much-derided Selfish track. Riding on the ever-increasing popularity of its lead star, Salman Khan, the Race 3 soundtrack is getting much love from all Bhai fans, despite the fact that this is the most average sounding album in the entire Race franchise. But if the target audience for the movie is happy with the songs of the movie, who are we to complain about this?
That said, I am a product of the '90s and have grown up listening to some really lilting songs of that era. Many of those songs are from movies that have Salman Khan in the lead. In fact these songs have helped in endearing the star to the Bollywood fan in me. Yes, I have no qualms in saying that I was a Salman fan, till the millennium happened and we got more Dhinka Chinka than Baahon Ki Darmiyan.
So as a fan of good music and lyrics, it certainly pains me when I hear songs from Race 3, with phrases like 'Aur thoda wahan tasalli se/Apne khayalat ko share karo na/Ek baar baby selfish hoke/Apne liye jiyo na', penned by Salman himself. This song also got a thumbs up from Alia Bhatt, who called it the Best Song Ever! Ironically, her movie Raazi has the best song of the year in Ae Watan!
I am sorry to say but unlike Alia, I am not able to connect with any of the songs from the movie. Instead, if you really have good taste in music and lyrics, I would suggest you listen to these below 7 film albums of Salman Khan that would compensate for the lack of musical affinity in any of his recent movies.
Maine Pyar Kiya
Agreed that a couple of songs (Aate Jaate and Mere Rang Mein) are lifted from foreign songs, but the entire soundtrack from Salman's breakout film, composed by Ram-Laxman, is a keeper for lifetime!
Saajan
While the trio of Salman, an excellent Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit are on top form here, it is the music by Nadeem-Shravan (with some excellent lyrics by Kumaar) that is the real winner here! Be it the title track or Bahut Pyar Karte Hai or Tume Milne Ki Tamanna or the eternally beautiful Jiye To Jiye Kaise, every song in the movie is a gem!
Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
Hum Aapke Hai Kaun has just too many songs. Too many to swallow. But each song has a life-span that will last for generations and will rule every antakshari contest. If Didi Tera Devar makes you hit the dance floor, then Pehla Pehla Pyar and the title track are soul-stirring.
Khamoshi: The Musical
It's a fiasco that Sanjay Leela Bhansali's best film till date, featuring one of Salman's best performance, ended up as a disaster at the box office. It also has an amazing soundtrack by Jatin-Lalit, with every song being an underrated classic. Although I have to add that it is quite the travesty that my fave track from the movie - Jaana Suno - is a ripoff of Paul Anka's Bring The Wine.
Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya
The movie that started the trend of Salman going shirtless. The Sohail Khan movie had some really good music, courtesy Jatin-Lalit and Himesh Reshammiya. Be it Odh Liya Chunariya, Deewana Main Chala or the chartbuster O O Jaane Jaana, the soundtrack is a winner in every right!
Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye
The movie sucks, but the album (composed by Himesh Reshammiya) is top notch! You can't stop listening to the title track and O Priya. Even the playful Aa Meri Life Bana De and Saawariya are enjoyable!
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Sanjay Leela Bhansali elevated this love triangle between Salman, Aishwarya and Ajay Devgn with a beautiful soundtrack from Ismail Darbar. The title track, Jhonka Hawa Ka, Tadap Tadap, Dholi Taro, Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan - is there any song in the movie that you can hate?
Honourable Mentions: Tere Naam, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Yuvvraj,
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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 11, 2018 07:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).