Music Review: Robot

Film: "Robot"; Music Director: A.R. Rahman; Singers: Srinivas D, Khatija Rahman, Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Rahman, Suzanne, Kash 'N' Krissy, Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Rags, Yogi B, Hariharan, Sadhana Sargam, Benny Dayal, Naresh Iyer, Javed Ali, Chinmayi, Madhushree, Keerthi Sagathia and Tanvi Madhushree; Rating: **

There are many factors that compel you to have high expectations from the soundtrack of director Shankar's forthcoming film "Robot" - it is one of the most expensive films of the year, it stars Rajnikant and Aishwarya Rai and, most importantly, the music has been composed by Oscar-winning music director A.R. Rahman.

In spite of all these factors, the music of "Robot" doesn't impress that much. It lacks the punch and the wow factor that Rahman's songs are known for.

The album has seven tracks.

The soundtrack of "Robot" begins with "O naye insaan", sung by Rahman's daughter Khatija Rahman and Srinivas D. The slow-paced track is a gloomy one and is sung in a way that it seems a robot is singing it. It's a situational track. Even though it is not such a treat to hear, the song might look good on screen.

Next is a romantic song "Pyaara tera gussa hai", which has something like a scientific language. With Mohit Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal behind the mike, it has some weird lyrics, maybe because the film features a robot.

Then comes "Naina mile". The fast-paced number is sung by Rahman along with Suzzane and Kash 'N' Krissy. It fails to make a mark.

Strong orchestration marks the arrival of "Arima arima". Sung by Hariharan and Sadhana Sargam, the song describes the protagonist of the film. This is also a situational number and and not hummable.

Up next is the song called "Kilimanjaro", a very strange title for a song. Javed Ali and Chinmayi have crooned this peppy track that talks about a girl from the hills. It is better than others but doesn't exude the charm of Rahman's compositions.

Then comes the title track of the film in two versions. One titled "Chitti dance showcase" and the other "Boom boom robo da".

"Chitti..." sung by Pradeep Vijay, Pravin Mani, Rags and Yogi B fluctuates between slow and fast beats, while "Boom Boom..." voiced by Madhushree, Keerthi Sagathia and Tanvi Shah along with Rags and Yogi B is a fast number with a hip hop flavour.

Unfortunately, none of the versions really appeal to the listeners.

On the whole, the music of "Robot" does not appeal. They may suit the script of the sci-film, but the audio is not impressive.