Sukanya Verma

First things first.

In terms of music, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham is no Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

Karan Johar's second film suffers from a Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge--Mohabbatein hangover. Ironically both are best friend Aditya Chopra's films.

The music of Karan Johar's multi-crore budgeted, multi-starrer (Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor), uses every trick in the book to guarantee hits.

Jatin Lalit stick to their repetitive but reliable brand of tunes. Sandesh Shandilya bring in the whiff of fresh air with his tracks while the guest composer churns the usual potboiler.

A few weeks ago, the filmmakers released an introductory album of K3G, which features different versions of the title track. A trend of sorts.

Coming to the complete album, here is what K3G has to offer:

The title song Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham by Lata Mangeshkar is in the same mold as the music of Mohabbatein and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

Nevertheless the song which has a bhajan like feel to it works and whether you like it or not, you're humming it.

One must mention that Lata Mangeshkar at 72, sounds as good as new. Hats off to her!

Bole chudiyan clicks at once. This bouncy, Punjabi dance track drawing some inspiration from the classic Bach ke rehna (Pukar) has some peppy lyrics which blend well with the music.

Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan, Kavita K Subramanium and Amit Kumar have a ball with this number.

Even though You are my Soniya may sound 'wannabe', this frilly, flouncy number makes for pleasant hearing. Karan Johar opts for the relatively unknown Sandesh Shandilya (of Piya Basanti fame), instead of the tried and tested duo -- Jatin-Lalit

The versions of K3G , sung individually by Lata Mangeshkar and Sonu Nigam may not be as emotional or feverish as that of KKHH, yet they have a ring of credibility to it.

The trend of theme music has become predominant in most films now. Even though KKHH didn't boast of any, the background score was sufficiently engrossing.

Unfortunately in case of K3G, the theme (by Sandesh Shandilya) sounds tacky.

Suraj hua madhdham is a soft, mushy love ballad by Alka Yagnik and Sonu Nigam, again by Sandesh.

The tunes are fresh and the composer even includes a piece of Tum paas aaye (KKHH) in between the mukhdas. Lyricist Anil Pandey comes up decent stuff for this song.

After the sober Suraj hai madhdham, comes the trendy and hip hop love ditty Deewana hai dekho by Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam and Kareena Kapoor spewing "Whatever", "Who are you?" and "Who does he think he is" at intervals.

While Yeh ladka hai allah is your stereotypical girl vs boy contest at the wedding festivities.

Amitabh Bachchan does a Sona sona (Major Saab) in Say Shava shava.

The man with his trademark baritone overshadows the entire bandwagon of singers like Alka Yagnik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Udit Narayan, Sudesh Bhonsle and Aadesh Shrivastava.

Composed by Aadesh Shrivastava, the song overdoes the Punjabi emotions and tends to get on one's nerves.

In a nutshell, the music of K3G has a presence. Hate it or love it, you certainly won't ignore it.