Dinesh Kamath's another column on movie 'Khiladi 786' that was published in Newsband

Today I’ll pass on to you still more information about the film Khiladi 786. I’ll focus on the music of the film. 

The Khiladi, Akshay Kumar, revives his iconic character again. After a 12 year gap since Khiladi 420 (in 2000) Akshay is back to his action avatar in Khiladi 786. This time, Kumar joins Himesh Reshammiya who makes his big mainstream debut, and doubles as script-writer and music director. With all this pressure, Himesh has created an album of 14 songs that will likely become chartbusters. Lyricists Shabbir Ahmed, Sameer Anjaan and Himesh Reshmmiya have done a good job too.

Lonely is the first song of the film. It features Yo Yo Honey Singh doing an inventive rap to open the track. The song straddles both a hypnotic dance tune and a sad song that laments the loneliness of the protagonist. Himesh keeps the sadness in this dance track. Though Honey Singh and Hamsika Iyer feature in the track, they are completely overshadowed by Himesh’s energy. This song just speeds up the tempo and makes it more of a trance track. This is a rap number by Yo Yo Honey Singh. Shabbir has come out with an interesting mix English, Hindi and Punjabi lyrics for the song.

Next is the number Balma. It features Burman’s signature bongo beats and his ‘hah hah’ punctuating the beats. This is a very danceable and energetic track. Shreya Ghosal goes into seductive mode with this one, and is lovely here and Shriram complements her well during the chorus. It is a sensual and addictive track. A retro foottapping item number where the music goes on and on and you would never want it to stop. Himesh’s composition has been complimented by Sriram who has done a commendable job. Shreya Ghoshal's husky voice adds the oomph to the song. Sameer's lyrics too are very catchy.

The remix is a club track. The Balma remix by Teenu Arora is once again a fast paced number.

One of the interesting tracks is Long Drive. It begins as a slow romantic number. After that it becomes a rock-hip hop fusion. It immediately wins you over and who better than Mika Singh to take the helm. He sounds much more affecting and soft. It's a soft romantic number. Lyrics by Sameer are very simple but the music arrangement is what keeps you engrossed in the song. Mika really takes you on a long drive with this song.

Finally, we have a Bhangra-remix which complements the original, and this one is a sure chartbuster. The composition is very good and makes sure not to lose the essence of the original. Expect this one to be a show stopper at marriages, parties and discotheques. DJ A Sen and DJ Amann Nagpal have added more rhythm to the Punjabi bhangra sounds. 

Himesh sings another romantic track, Sari Sari Raat. What we can enjoy about the track is the composition, which is dreamy and minimalist. Shabbir Ahmed’s lyrics are eloquent and poetic, but end up getting a bit lost with Himesh’s variant tones. Savour the music only. Saari Saari Raat is a soft romantic number. All Himesh's fans would love this number rendered by Himesh himself. He is definitely back on the track with this one. Punjabi lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed are very simplistic and poetic and add to the romanticism of the song.

Next up is the Hookah Bar. The Band of Power boys, Aman Trikha, Himesh Reshammiya, and Vineet Singh try to do their best with what they have got. This is a club dance number.

The remix improves the song, and that’s the one to choose if you want to listen. Remix version is done by DJ A Sen and DJ Amann Nagpal. The track creates a mood of celebration and fun.

Next is the title track, Khiladi 786. Himesh tries to make it an energetic and macho track, even the chorus feels the same. The singers Vineet Singh, Aman Trikha, Yashraj Kapil, Alam Gir Khan and Rajdeep Chatterjee - all sound good with the patriotic and descriptive verses they’ve got. Lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed are definitely multi coloured.

The remix is not bad.

The last track is the retro, Tu Hoor Pari, which is opened beautifully by Harshdeep Kaur who can add that right dose of class and verve to save many a middling track. Javed Ali starts off the track with an interesting tone, which reminds you of the proper Punjabi folksy sound. The rest of the track is a fusion between a qawalli and a more authentically Punjabi folk number. When Shreya Ghosal and Chandrakala Singh enter the track, they seem to add a more romantic chemistry to the song. The song seems to juggle many different tones and interludes. Tu Hoor Pari is yet another romantic number. Himesh Reshammiya intertwines the Qawalli fom with Punjabi folk in this number.

Thus Khiladi 786 is strictly an album with a smattering of addictive tracks that may just live on after the film leaves cinemas. Himesh Reshammiya has proved that he can do original and creative work. Overall it is a good album. The tracks Balma, Hookah Bar, Long Drive and Sari Sari Raat are promising and entertaining. However, with Akshay Kumar in the lead he seems to add pep to every song he dances to.

The film has Akshay Kumar, Asin and Himesh Reshmmiya starring. After a spate of hits, the hit Jodi of Akshay Kumar and Himesh Reshammiya are back again with what seems to be another hit film Khiladi 786. While Akshay has given a lot of action with his Khiladi tag, Himesh has churned out popular numbers. Once again Himesh who has been on a high with box office numbers this season brings in bouquet of seven numbers and remixes added to it. There is a medley of new and old hits for the listeners. Himesh incidentally is also the co-producer and co-actor in the film.

Do watch the film Khiladi 786.