Anu Malik, having given us his vintage style with the superb Love Story 2050, Madonnifies himself in Ugly Aur Pagli. These sleek confessions on a dance floor are unlike anything Anu Malik has released during his career. That doesn't mean that UAP is completely original. That much of old Anu Malik has been retained! Anyway, UAP promises to be a wacky comedy and I know this because the tagline reads: 99 slaps; 1 kiss. Also, the film stars the underrated comedian Ranvir Shorey (Aaja Nachle, No Smoking, Pyaar Ke Side/Effects) and the Marilyn Monroe of Bollywood (another underrated comedienne) Miss Mallika Sherawat who got to stretch her comedic chops in PKS/E and Welcome (RUKHO!!!!). I'm excited for these two to come together for they are literally the title characters. We all know Ranvir is the biggest looker in the BW and Mallika--well, crazy is an understatement (Bachke Rehnaa Re Baba, anyone?). Anu Malik works with lyricist Amitabh Varma for this rocking recording. Just an overview. There are 5 songs, 2 remixes and 2 songs each have an alternate version. This makes 9 songs total.
The album opener is the explosive Talli, undoubtedly the best song UAP has to offer. Sung by Anmol Malik and Mika Singh, this dance track offers raps by a female rapper named Hard Kaur who I vaguely remember. The singing is energetic and fun while also not earth-shattering. The music is peppy and addictive. At six minutes and fourteen seconds, however, Talli could be guilty of overstaying its welcome on the dance floor. Luckily, the one DJ in all of Delaware who plays entire songs will probably never have this song in his collection so we are safe! 10/10.
Karle Gunaah is unique because the lyrics are entirely in Hindi. This does not make this song any purer. Ishq Bector and Anushka Manchanandi (who?!) sing this number quite seductively and the Daddy Yankee-inspired beats are quite listenable. It's obviously a club number in the film but it's not danceable in the real world because it's slower than we are used to. It had to grow on me. It's not as good as its predecessor or its successor. 7/10.
Finally some singers we know! Sunidhi Chauhan and Shaan sing a soloistic duet called Yeh Nazar. Both of them have their seperate parts of the song and there is no interaction between them. This promises to be a fun video because the music is so poppy and fun and it just reminds me of cotton candy for some reason. Don't ask! But I imagine lots of sun and flowers and Mallika an yellow dress and Ranvir in bright colors. The song is just too feel-good to write off and the singers provide stellar renditions but no surprise there. 10/10. Talli returns for its alternate version and this one is an Anu Malik solo. Whaaaaat?! It's exactly the same and it's really not necessary. I mean, duet is written in the song's DNA but Anu Malikgets his ya-yas from singing his own tunes. I mean, the song is so whatever. Don't download! 4/10.
Okay, you're on a dance floor. Spinning the records is, say, DJ Honey. He's not the most thrilling DJ but you aren't going to let a terrible turntablist ruin your fun. The person next to you, however, just keeps complaining about the Honsters and you get really annoyed with him or her. All you want to do is yell, "Just shut up and dance!" The next track sympathizes with you. It's called Shut Up, Aa Nachley. This duet with Anu Malik and Vasundhra Das is probably the most like old-school Anu Malik and it's a fun, nonstop dance number but, with a title like that, it has to be. This is sure to be a dance hit in part two of 2008. 9/10.
Anu Malik reprises Karle Gunaah and again this a solo for him. And again it's not necessary for the world to hear. This is major skippage! 4/10.
Anu Malik, Amitabh Varma and Mohit Chauhan team up for Yaad Teri Aaye, a thoughtful, emotional ballad that hits the right notes. You'd think that after such so many high-adrenaline dance tracks, this ballad would seem out of place but it works. Mohit Chuahan (Tumse Hi - Jab We Met) is absolutely rocking in this song and the lyrics are great. 9/10.
Next we have a remix for Talli. It's almost as good as the original. 8/10.
Karle Gunaah is repeated a third time also in remix form. This one is techno heavy but I like it better than the original. 8/10.
If I were you I'd download the five original songs and the two remixes. Anu Malik's versions of Talli and Karle Gunaah are just not as fun as the other seven. UAP is a fun soundtrack, good for a long drive in traffic. These are songs that will be fun watch on screen especially with the comedic couple Mallika and Ranvir.
Ugly Aur Pagli rates a 69/90. Must download!
