The music for Sudip Bandyopadhyay’s upcoming slice-of-life film, Hope Aur Hum features two newcomers. Both music director Rupert Fernandes and lyricist Saurabh Dikshit debut their respective roles after predominantly active advertising careers. In the same vein are director Bandhopadhyay and producer Samira Bandhopadhyay for that matter. It probably explains why the track, ‘ Aye Zindagi ’ sounds like an extended ad jingle. The wistful message the song conveys is packaged in light-hearted Hinglish verses by Dikshit that Fernandes further adorns with an unplugged style. Its guitars, harmony and even melody are reminiscent of Amit Trivedi’s ‘Sham’ from Aisha , but thankfully not in a plagiaristic way. It’s a delight to hear Shaan deliver a song of this kind after a long time with his characteristic cheeriness — wish the man were heard more often these days.
The advertising connect seems to continue into ‘Achche Bachche Rote Nahi’ as well with its “repeat the message until it sticks” axiom in play, with the ‘Khwaab Sachche Hote Nahi.. Par Achche Bachche Rote Nahi’ two-liner repeated excessively. Despite Sonu Nigam trying to introduce variations in his delivery of the phrase, the recurrence had turned me off the song. However, the use of guitars with its Spanish flavour, has grown on me over repeated listens. Fernandes is in good form as arranger in the film’s title song as well, setting it to a groovy pop base, but its melody is not particularly memorable. Good vocals by Bhoomi Trivedi and Suraj Jagan save the day.
The short soundtrack firmly establishes hope in Rupert Fernandes’ musical skills, particularly for his song arrangements.
