Blackmail song 'Badla': Irrfan Khan, DIVINE go hammer and rage against 'bitchy' world

Yo Yo Honey Singh has been off the radar for some time, leaving Badshah as the sole go-to rap artiste in town. The last couple of years have seen many remixes, some interspersed with some rap. Most of these failed to please the ears and riveting, hip-hop songs have become a rarity. 

However, Blackmail's latest song 'Badla' is different. Interestingly, it is not Badshah or Yo Yo Honey Singh, but unheralded rap artiste DIVINE and music composer Amit Trviedi who have produced the scintillating track. 

Abhinay Deo’s Blackmail is the story of Dev (Irrfan Khan) who blackmails his wife’s lover. Man or woman, infidelity is rarely taken lying down by a loyal partner. 

Penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya, 'Badla' is not a song, but a war cry for those cheated. It underlines the rage one feels, when he/she is cheated by the partner.  

What does the aggrieved do then? 

Strike with a vengeance, or atleast a sledgehammer. The song hammers the idea and the importance of revenge in to the listener.

Amit Trivedi croons the intro but thereafter it is rapper Vivian Fernandes, better now known as DIVINE, who adds a divine touch to the song. DIVINE and Dhaval Parab have penned fine rhyming, lyrics. Though brash, the song is philosophical. Life will eventually cheat you, so, you got to be the one making the first move.  

More than the rapping, it is the vibrant, rivetting performance by DIVINE that makes Badla an entertaining track. Swag, style, candour — DIVINE has it all in his voice. While Trivedi doesn’t contribute much as a singer, he has set an electrifying score. 

Irrfan Khan is one of those rare talents who can communicate with their eyes. He is visibly hurt, and the dreary eyes say it all. It is perhaps for the first time that the actor will be seen lip syncing a rap song. For an actor who is rarely seen singing on screen, Khan seems to be enjoying his part. 

All in all, 'Badla' is a song that strikes the right chord. 

Blackmail is set to be released on 6 April. 

Watch the track below: