'Rafta Rafta' medley: Salman, Rekha, Sonakshi join Shatrughan and the Deols for a joyous ride

The fans were expecting a remake, but it has turned out to be a medley. Parody and medley were popular in the 1990s, but we have hardly seen any in the new millennium. So the 'Rafta Rafta' medley does come as a pleasant surprise. 

Composer-singer Vishal Mishra does not give us just a medley of popular classic songs. The Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se number also includes classic, punchy dialogues.

The track begins with Dharmendra reciting popular Salman Khan dialogues and vice-versa. Dharmendra and Khan have always had their distinctive dance styles, but at 82, the veteran can't be expected to have the same infectious energy that he once possessed. 

Kishore Kumar fans will, of course, be displeased that Vishal Mishra has not used the original voice. But the various voices you hear on this medley will not disappoint you.

There is no fresh element in the lyrics, which is actually a good thing. Far too often have composers and lyricists used the hook from a classic song and gone on to mess it up with average lyrics. This medley has a nostalgia value thanks to the lack of tinkering with the lyrics.

The original track from the Dharmendra-Rekha starrer Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) was penned by Rajinder Krishan and composed by Kalyanji-Anandji. Kishore Kumar sang the song while Rekha recited her own lyrical line of dialogue.

The 'Rafta Rafta' medley has six names credited as singers. Rekha recites the famous lines from the classic 'Salaam-e-Ishq' song from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978). And it sounds as if Sonakshi Sinha herself is crooning Asha Bhosle’s 'O Mere Sona Re' from Teesri Manzil (1966), though it is an unconvincing rendition. But to be fair to Sinha, the music for this particular part is a bit too pacey for a classic number like 'O Mere Sona Re'.

Sonakshi Sinha scores with her eye movements and the Dharmendra-style dance. After that we hear the sensuous voice of Rekha reciting the introductory lyrical dialogue from 'Salaam-e-Ishq'. The evergreen Rekha, however, looks nothing like the courtesan from Muqaddar Ka Sikandar. The veteran sports an urban, hep look for the medley. Her fans, though, won’t be complaining; she looks as stunning as she ever did.

All along you are hooked to the fast-paced score, and then the tempo switches to 'Salaam-e-Ishq' mode. While the classic mujra song is a timeless number, the medley breaks away from the earlier rhythm. Also, the singer, presumably Disha Sharma, is not so pleasing to the ear. Ditto, the male backing singers. But the magic of the original lyrics, by Anjaan, is such that you are willing to overlook these glitches.

The medley then gets abruptly back to the 'Rafta Rafta' tune. You wonder: did Mishra err by including the 'Salaam-e-Ishq' number?

The medley has a good opening and a good end as well with Mishra using the popular 'Mai Jatt Yamla Pagla Deewana' track from Pratiggya (1975). It’s the song that has given birth to the Yamla Pagla Deewana franchise.

The final act sees Sunny and Bobby Deol join their father and Sonakshi Sinha and Rekha. With the Deols on the floor, you know that from here on it will simply be fun to watch. The ensuing frenzy makes for great visual appeal. 

Shatrughan Sinha makes the odd appearance in the song but the veteran doesn’t even appear to recite his trademark ‘Khamosh [Silence]!' and 'Teesre badshah hum hain [The third king is I]' dialogues in his voice. Maybe he had a sore throat.

A medley cannot be judged by conventional standards. It would be unfair to even compare the medley with the original 'Rafta Rafta' song. Viewers will be more keen on the array of stars brought together on one stage for the number. It is not often that we see Dharmendra, Salman Khan, Rekha, Shatrughan Sinha, Sonakshi Sinha and Sunny and Bobby Deol together in one song.

The stars are clearly enjoying themselves. The 'Rafta Rafta' medley scores purely for its visual appeal. Watch it below.

Also enjoy the orginal 'Rafta Rafta' number.

Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se is set to be released on 31 August. Tell us if you will be watching this film.