The film's trailer, which was released two days ago, was anything but impressive. Mubarakan's makers, however, have turned out a delightfully peppy title track.
It seems to be complete team effort as the song's credits carry a long list of names. The lyrics are by Kumaar, with Badshah adding the rap lyrics and vocals. The song has been composed by Rishi Rich and Yash Anand with the singing credits shared by Juggy D, Yash Narvekar, Sukriti Kakar and Badshah.
There is a whole lot to like about this song, but the music composers deserve credit first and foremost for bringing back memories of the late great RD Burman and his classic song 'Yamma Yamma' from Shaan (1980). Sure, for a moment you fear whether this will be a poor remake of the classic, but the ooh-ing prelude is kept to a minimum and the subseqent riveting tune hooks you.
Juggy D and Yash Narvekar are not familiar names or voices and so it is difficult to identity them in the song. Presumably, these are the voices of the twins Karan and Charan played by Arjun Kapoor. Nevertheless, they come across as two distinct voices. They are not the most melodious, and even crack at times, but they gel with the lyrics and music. More than sur and taal, tracks such as the 'Mubarakan' song ride on attitude, and that is amply in evidence in the voices of Juggy D and Yash Narvekar.
As good as Juggy D and Narvekar are, it is the ‘Badshah’ of rap who takes the song to a new level. We have not one but two Badshahs here — one who sings and one who lip-syncs (Anil Kapoor). The senior Kapoor has never been known for his dancing skills, but he is totally at ease with his lttle jig and trash-talking to the rap vocals.
Ileana D’Cruz and Athiya Shetty have little to do in the song and that limits singer Sukriti Kakar’s role. But she compliments her male colleagues well. She may be the lone female voice on the track, but she also has the most defining tone.
Lyricist Kumaar's career so far has been a mixed bag, oscillating between the sublime — 'Baby Doll' from Ragini MMS 2 (2014) — to the ridiculous, like 'Haseenon Ka Deewana' from Kaabil (2017). He redeems himself with the 'Mubarakan' song with a fitting title track for the film. The lyrics, including the rap bit by Badshah, are trendy and hook you.
True credit for the track, though, must go to composers Rishi Rich and Yash Anand. The music gives you a wonderful feeling of the old and the new coming together seamlessly. If he were still around, RD Burman would have loved this track.
The Kapoors — Arjun and uncle Anil — are exemplary in the dance and expressions. You can go wrong with a step or two, but the key to success in such a track is that you need to enjoy every beat, every rhythm. The chacha-bhatija (uncle-nephew) pair do not disappoint on this score.
The lone disappointment is the wooden display of Shetty and D’Cruz. The former has donned a glamorous look for the track. But there is no sensuality in her expressions or moves. We can pardon that as an aberration, however, for 'Mubarakan' has the potential to be a chartbuster. Watch the track here:
Mubarakan is set to be released on 28 July.