Akshay Kumar, the reigning ''King'' of Bollywood meets an array of Hollywood ''Kings'' in debutante director Sabbir Khan's extravagant action-packed KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. It sounds interesting and so expectations are soaring high as we land into its musical territory that is governed by the likes of Anu Malik and guest composers Salim-Sulaiman and RDB.
Crowned to be one of the lavish affairs of year 2009, it experiments out with screen presence of international hot-celebs Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards in the main league. Does Anu Malik's experience and prowess over melodies and thump has the desired ammunition to live up to its gargantuan standards? Can KAMBAKKHT ISHQ be another musical ''hungama'' for all Akki fans? Just play it loud to get the answers…!
RDB and Akshay Kumar! The lethal combination did miraculous wonders in SINGH IS KINNG and now combined with melodic aesthetics of hymn-oriented title track of BHOOL BHULAIYA; one finds a new upbeat title track in bombastically flashy ''Om Mangalam''. RDB dons all caps for it and its racy hip-hop cum rock fervor with peppy wordings is the one that makes it a overwhelming massy track.
It sounds like a whacky tete-a-tete in the form of marriage proposal, jostling up mood with customary marital chants to evoke out traditionalistic Bollywood feel. ''Om Mangalam (reprise)'' comes in a hurried electronica beat patterns with energized electronic sounds that builds up with rigorous DJ spins and scratches. RDB seems to be getting right groove at right time and so ''Om Mangalam'' promises their hat-trick of successes in B-town. Akki is likely to be adding more chartbusters to his kitty in this frolicking ''ceremonious'' hip-shaking number that is likely to be rising astronomically high on charts. Chartbuster!!!
Anu Malik exudes a set of fetish melodic thumps of Salman Khan's stylized dancing tracks and impersonates Sajid-Wajid's flair of arrangements in happy-go-lucky sounding ''Lakh Lakh''. The teasing noisy punches and rip-roaring conventional ''dhol'' bangs and electronic rhythmical beat reminds of SEL's immensely massy ''Tennu Le Ke'' (SALAAM-E-ISHQ).
The punch-line comes in massy harmonium tunes with an uproarious set of arrangements that have combustible impact. Neeraj Sridhar's cheeky vocal outrage gets impish fodder of mischievous wordings (Anvita Dutt Guptan's lyrics) to create a hilarious romantic hullabaloo on big screen. As predicted, the eclecticism of pompous affairs gets into top gear with ''Lakh Lakh (electro-dhol remix)'' by Eric Pillai with noisy discotheque maneuvers, resonating DJ thumps and racy emceeing, setting floors on fire with great thump. This one goes straight for ''dhol-pitched'' traditional DJ parties where the vibrant thumps of ''dhol'' are celebrated over regular DJ spins and claps. Cheerful!!!
One time foe can be partner-in-rhythm, Anu Malik tries to recreate 90's pop diva aura of Alisha Chinoy in her seductive vocal oomph in ''Bebo''. Alisha may not be in her superlative form as she was in ''It's rocking'' (KYA LOVE STORY HAI) but is well energized in her gush to impersonate Kareena's pet name in this feminine fatal soundtrack.
Anvita Dutt Guptan's girlish lyrical moves had that ''attitude'' feel with contemporary pop musical feel to make it commercially acceptable with hi-profile gleam. ''Bebo (club mix)'' mixes disco-masti in this Indi-pop rechristened female solo and races up senses in its delirious DJ thumps.
Apart from the gloss and dollops of glamour, there are also some stupid, mindless scenes, which challenge your mental stability. In one scene, a person even lets off wind bang in front of Amrita Arora's face. This, on her wedding day!
The first 15 minutes or so are palatable, after that, it gets monotonous and you wonder when this nightmare will end. Of course, there are a few scenes where Akshay proves his flair for comedy but not enough to rationalize the madness that unfolds in front of you on the giant screen.
Kareena puts life in a lifeless plot. Take her away and you will be left fuming 'Kambakkht' to director Sabbir Khan (no relative of Kabir Khan whose NEW YORK released last week). I don't see any actor putting so much zing in a role that's dead as a dodo.
Hats off to you Bebo!
Rating – 1.5/5
