The Sheer Brilliance Of The Jab We Met Soundtrack

Released in 2007, Jab We Met is a romantic comedy by the celebrated director Imtiaz Ali. With Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in the leading roles, the movie traces the journey of Aditya Kashyap and Geet Kaur Dhillon from the dark and scary alleys of Ratlam to the joyous, yellow fields of Bhatinda.

While Pritam is still remembered for breathing life into the characters and scenes of the movie through his unparallelled music, the credit for the background score goes to Sanjoy Chowdhury. Not to forget, the lyrics have been penned by Irshad Kamil, the ultimate wordsmith.

Aao Milo Chalein

This song marks the beginning of Aditya's transformation from a depressed business tycoon to someone who wants to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment of it. The melody that one can hear in Shaan's voice reflects Aditya's joyous state; he considers the journey to be more beautiful and exciting than the ultimate destination. Irshad Kamil has beautifully projected Aditya's emotions through the words – "Aao milo chalein, jaana kahaan na ho pata."

The interludes of the song see an abundance of Rajasthani folk tunes, with vocals by Ustad Sultan Khan, the words being – "Ke thaare bina jee na lage". The song aptly projects Pritam's brilliance in crafting tunes with a tinge of Indianness in them. The lyrics, coupled with a freshness, make this song a perfect accompaniment on a road trip where all you care for are the little moments that make the trip special and memorable.

Nagada Nagada

The song opens with the camera focused on Aditya's face. We see him responding to the initial beats of the song through rhythmic movements of his feet and fingertips. This prepares the ground for the song to be unfolded gradually in front of the audience. While the 'nagada' beats represent the joy, love and happiness in the Dhillon family in anticipation of Geet's marriage to her childhood friend, the song also shows a different side of Aditya.

Performed marvellously by Sonu Nigam and Javed Ali, the song also has a brief section sung by the women characters. This short portion reminds one of traditional Punjabi wedding songs. With the appropriate inclusion of bhangra steps and participation of men, women and children in the celebration, the song fittingly portrays the liveliness of Punjab.

Yeh Ishq Haaye

This song is everything that Geet stands for. While the song is vibrant and full of life, the lyrics echo the desires of Geet's heart, madly in love with Anshuman. Shot amidst the picturesque mountain ranges of Shimla and Manali, the music deftly blends the regional tunes of Himachal Pradesh with conventional Bollywood tones.

Geet's madness, her longing for Anshuman and her imagination flow unchecked as Aditya continues to observe her with a smile on his face. The visually pleasing atmosphere along with Shreya Ghoshal's soul-touching voice contribute beautifully to carve out an unforgettable love song. It reminds me of 'Mere khwabon mein jo aaye' (Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, 1995), where Simran (Kajol) was seen longing for her unknown, unseen lover.

Tum Se Hi

When monsoon and melody come together, what happens is sheer magic. Be it 'Rimjhim gire sawan' (Manzil, 1979), 'Rimjhim rimjhim' (1942: A Love Story, 1994), 'Koi ladki hai' (Dil To Pagal Hai, 1997) or 'Barso re' (Guru, 2007), Bollywood has repeatedly created epic moments on screen that combine monsoon showers and mellifluous tunes. What makes this song stand apart is that it's used to portray Aditya's suppressed emotions and unexplained attachment to Geet.

Words such as "Main kahin bhi jaata hoon, tumse hi mil jaata hoon" assume a whole new meaning in Mohit Chauhan's soothing voice. The subtle presence of a female voice throughout the song is perhaps reflective of Geet's subtle presence in and permanent mark on Aditya's life. Selfless love oozes out of each and every line of this beautifully crafted piece, making it the ultimate love song.

Aaoge Jab Tum

Written by Faiz Anwar and rendered beautifully by Ustad Rashid Khan, this song brings to the fore Geet's temporary transformation following Anshuman's rejection. The introductory flute tune sets the mood of this song, which speaks about the yearning to be united with one's lover. The song, composed by Sandesh Shandilya, has been interestingly and intelligently used by Imtiaz Ali.

The use of the song in the background enhances the effect of Geet's transformation and Aditya's helplessness while the audience craves to see both of them together. What appeals to me most in this song is its smooth transition from the high notes of "Saanso ki lai maddham chale" to "Tose kahe barsega saawan". The semi-classical portion at the end gives the song the remarkable conclusion that it rightly deserves.

Mauja Hi Mauja

There was a time when this song used to feature regularly on party playlists. It instantly emanates the party vibe, employing a tinge of 'Punjabi-ness' in its tune, especially in the second stanza. With Mika Singh's powerful voice reflecting the spirit of the young audience, the song became a trendsetter very soon. The peppy beats, the groove, and the iconic hook step – they all came together to create this irresistible song.

The songs, brilliant in their own right, are woven successfully into the story and contribute tremendously to the plot progression. Even after 14 years, the soundtrack of this movie still lingers in my heart. The songs are varied and therefore successfully portray the depth of emotions that the characters experience.