Music of Welcome To Sajjanpur

So, Shyam Benegal has decided to make a comedy, instead of his usual exploitation and emancipation-based movies.

While the entire proof of this radical experiment can only be seen post-release, the first look of WTS is rather ‘hip’ and ‘fun’ for a village-based flick, with Shreyas and Amrita boogeying away around the local wells. And the same expectations trickle down to the soundtrack, which is expected to put the “cool” back in “gaon”. With that in mind, Shantanu Moitra is a peculiar choice for MD of this album, given his relatively sombre scores (“Parineeta”, “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”, “Eklavya”).

Signature track “Sitaram Sitaram, especially in its usage of folk guitars, is infectiously addictive. Both the original and the remix are the stand-out tracks on the album. The catchiness continues with Sonu/Sunidhi’s “Dildara Dildara”, which brings back memories of break-out rural tracks like “Rukhi Sukhi” (from “Nayak: The Real Hero”).

Both the softer ballads on the album are first-rate. “Ek Meetha Marz De Ke”, featuring Mohit Chauhan and Madhushree, is beautifully composed and can definitely be nominated as one of the best romantic ballads of this year. “Bheeni Bheeni Mehki Mehki”, sung by KK and Shreya, is delicate and well-rendered.

In its subtle yet satirical political commentary, Kailash Kher’s “Aadmi Azaad Hai Desh” is curious, but lacks the ability to hook your interest like the other tracks.

With the guttural vocals of Ajay Jhingran, “Munni Ki Baari” is a little too ambitious, but it may work situationally in the film. Credits to Ashok Mishra for the authentic lyrics, which are clearly not easy to write.

Balance sheet: Most of the tracks on this album have a “Cotton Eye Joe”-like appeal. While one part of you can’t believe that you are actually listening to them, another part of you is hooked and cannot help but groove to it. With a soundtrack that aims to show that it’s all “happening” in the “hinterlands”, the album really tries hard to bring out the latent “gaon-waala / gaon-waali” in all of us. So, dry clean those dhotis and surrender to the “Sajjanpur” effect.