'Ghar Laayenge Gold' song: Daler Mehndi's anthem gives voice to Akshay Kumar and team's determination

Director Reema Kagti's Gold has its first song out, and understandably it is a thumping anthem that seeks to rouse listeners to action. The film tells the story of the first gold medal winning hockey team from independent India. Coached by Akshay Kumar's character Tapan Das, the team bonds together to win the gold at the 1948 London Olympics. The anthem, titled 'Ghar Laayenge Gold', seeks to describe the determination, obstinacy and focus of the team that set on this quest.

The video opens with a desperate Tapan Das laying down the pitch for his gold medal-winning team in front of an official. "I promise I will make a team that will bring the gold medal and lay it here," he emphatically declares. This is followed up by his chase across the country to build his team which includes Amit Sadh, Vineet Kumar Singh, Kunal Kapoor among others. As the team is being built, they suffer the Partition of India. This leaves the spirits of the team broken, only for them to stand by each other and discover new courage.

The song, composed by Sachin Sanghvi and Jigar Saraiya, is a punchy dramatic anthem led by Daler Mehndi's vocals. Mehndi has previously delivered rousing anthems for Rang De Basanti (2006), Dangal (2016) and most recently Soorma (2018). However, in 'Ghar Laayenge Gold', the singer does not match up to his previous heights. Perhaps, it is a product of the repetitive emotion the song seeks to create.

While the composition is energetic, it seems to take to a predictable rhythm in the middle sections. The composition is well layered and has that innate energy and momentum that a Sachin-Jigar composition is now known for. The acoustic guitar opening and the slow denouement with violins in the middle is a fine addition.

The lyrics are written by Javed Akhtar, and are passable. The catchphrase of 'Ghar Laayenge Gold' taps into the key emotion of the song, but it also feels like an advertising jingle at times. Perhaps repeated listening would have a better effect on listeners leading to its turning into an earworm.

In all, the song, while decent and worth a listen, lacks that final flourish that could have made it into an impressive anthem.

Gold will be released on Indepedence Day, 15 August.