Expectations, expectations and more expectations! And why not? Shahrukh Khan is back in an out an out commercial masala movie after a span of 6 years – his last being the blockbuster ‘Om Shanti Om’ in 2007. Coincidentally, Rohit Shetty’s Chennai Express shares the same leading actors and music directors with ‘Om Shanti Om’. The movie has been in news ever since the theatrical trailer released with a hurricane-like response.
With music CDs all set to hit stands today, the curiosity level is sky-high. Vishal-Shekhar have worked with SRK in ‘Om Shanti Om’ and ‘Ra.One’ while they also composed music for the first part of ‘Golmaal’ directed by Rohit Shetty. Let’s enter into the musical coach of ‘Chennai Express’ and review its album which will be released at an event today.
1) One Two Three Four: Undoubtedly, the South Indian impact on Hindi Cinema has reached its peak in the last few years. Along with the success of countless remake movies, songs like ‘Dhinka Chika’, ‘Kolavari Di’ or ‘Chintata Chita’ have topped popularity charts. ‘One Two Three Four’ is completely on the lines of a typical south Indian dance number filled with high octane beats and Tamil rap. Vishal himself lends his voice and joins Hansika Iyer to provide eclectic vocals. Lyrics live up to song’s intention – ‘Talk Less Dance More’ (3/5)
2) Titli: Any Shahrukh starrer is incomplete without a genuine love melody. Easily the best song of the album, ‘Titli’ has been sung magically by Chinmayi and Gopi. The Tamil chorus reminds of SRK’s ‘Jiya Jale’ from Dil Se. Vishal-Shekhar boast of this uncanny knack of churning out genuine unadulterated melodies. Lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya and leading lady Deepika Padukone are having the time of their lives with this album coming right after the mega success of ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’. (4/5)
3) Tera Rasta Main Chhodoon Na: While ‘Titli’ is a slow paced track, ‘Tera Rastaa’ is a fast moving tune crooned by Amitabh Bhattacharya along with Anusha Mani. This is a refreshing track with no reference to southern musical compositions. Lyrics are average. Signature tune of ‘Titli’ comes during the end and elevates the tempo further. (3/5)
4) Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari: Singer of the year Arijit Singh joins Sunidhi Chauhan and Neeti Mohan to lend vocals for a cute dance track ‘Kashmir Main, Tu Kanyakumari’. The Vishal-Shekhar musical arrangements have the capability to grow further once depicted on screen. (2.5/5)
5) Ready Steady Po: Vishal Dadlani comes behind the mic again with a bunch of rappers for this thematic track. The number is highly situational and may fit well in the movie. Music directors have focused more on high octane techno beats. (2/5)
6) Chennai Express: The legendary S.P. Balasubramaniam returns with the title track of Chennai Express! His voice has always been a treat to hear and even at the age of 67 the freshness of vocals remains the same. The tune composed by Vishal-Shekhar is addictive and lyrics are praise-worthy. Jonita Gandhi provides the female vocals. The title track is worthy of repeated hearings. Chartbuster! (3.5/5)
As album fillers, we have ‘Titli Dubstep Version’ and a mashup of all the songs titled as ’Chennai Express Mashup’. Remixing and arranging has been cleverly done in mashup song which makes it worth a listen.
Rating: 
In terms of music this is the best amongst all Rohit Shetty’s movies. Although his films are not known for great music, he has the ability to churn out blockbusters at will. His last 2 films joined the elite 100 crore club. Going by the stature of the movie, it is going to witness the largest release worldwide this Eid and all the existing box-office records are practically in real danger. Get On The Train Baby!
Review by Abhishek Sharma (tweets @abhu_sharma)