Bombairiya song 'Bairiya': Banal, inadequate, disappointing track

Giving good music to a song is a herculean task and there are many pressures the composers have to work under. However, songs that seem to be born out of obligation rather than passion dissapoint the most. The 'Bairiya' track from Pia Sukanya's Bombairiya is an example.

Bairi in Hindi means foe, and the word has largely been used in cinema in the context of a heartless lover. Now the word has been used too many times in Hindi film songs and unless a lyricist is able to come up with a poetic and refreshing way to use it, the word does little to attract. 

 Akshay Oberoi, Ravi Kishan, and, perhaps, even Siddhant Kapoor, all seem to have strong feelings for Radhika Apte’s character in the film. Kishan appears to be married or is in a relationship with Shilpa Shukla, but this equation now looks to be a one-sided affair with Kishan falling for Apte, who looks emotionally drained all throughout the song. 

Arko neither presents anything new in the lyrics, nor has he composed a captivating tune. The intro notes are promising, but as soon the lyrics play out, you lose interest for it gives a sense of déjà vu. The tempo changes early in the track and the music goes out of sync. All that is left beating in your ears is the cliched line, “Bairiyan, main teri jogan ho gayi na'.

The song has inadequate mukhda, antara, with the music and the singing [by Navraj Hans] having no appeal. The only amusing aspect is the aggressive, bizarre proposal by Ravi Kishan’s character when he says, “I love you, you idiot.”  Now, is that supposed to be flattering? Well, we leave it to the listeners to decide.  

It is a blessing in disguise that the dull track doesn’t last long. The extended version, if it comes out, may offer a better perspective, but the 'Bairiya' that we have here is simply worth giving a miss. 

This might sound a little too harsh, but such tracks don’t speak volumes of Arko’s abilities as a lyricist and composer.

Nevertheless, if you admire any of the artistes in the song, you may be tempted to watch it once. 

Bombairiya is set to be released on 11 January.