The Anand Raaj Anand recreation is better than his original – Beyond Bollywood

Zee Music Company, composer Anand Raaj Anand recreate the popular Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana [2017] track. This time, Anand sings it too, and also faces the camera for the first time. 

By Mayur Lookhar

Remakes, remixes have become a norm but very few succeed in churning out a memorable recreation. Experienced composer Anand Raaj Anand, who has kept a low profile lately, returns to limelight with the recreation of Mera Intkam Dekhegi, the popular track from the Rajkummar Rao and Kriti Kharbanda-starrer Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana [2017]. Anand had composed the original with lyrics by Gaurav Krishna Baldev and it was crooned by Krishna Beuraa.

It is unusual to have a recreation barely five-six years after the original. Besides, it is pleasantly surprising to have the original composer being associated with the recreation. Credit to Zee Music Company for going back to the orginal composer. Anand Raaj Anand is fortuitous that he gets to recreate his original composition. There’s plenty to celebrate for Anand as he sings, co-writes and faces the camera for the first time in his career. So, it’s an Anand Raaj Anand show all the way.

The makers are smart enough to use appropriate visuals from Shaadi Mera Zaroor Aana to match the largely new lyrics.  Maybe Gaurav Krishna Bansal is only credited for the hook line. Or has he co-written the refreshing lyrics with Anand? Well, bottom line, the new lyrics are simply engaging.

The intkam [vengeance], infidel tracks were a rage in the 80s, 90s, especially popular in Pakistani music space.  Bollywood, too, caught on to this sub-genre creating similar tracks, some were blatant inspirations. Such music was in vogue then, but today, these tracks are likely to earn the tag of a crybaby to a jilted lover. We haven’t seen Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana but it appears that Rajkummar Rao’s character is perhaps extracting revenge from Kriti Kharbanda’s character – IT raid in her house.

In a refreshing move, Anand stays clear of being any cry baby in 2.0. Yes, the man is hurt, but he isn’t cursing the lady, and has simply left it upon destiny to decide the fate of the infidel. The tone is set from the onset with the opening line ‘Surkhiyo mein dekh mera naam aa gaya, tera bewafa hona bhi mere kaam aa gaya’ (Look, I’m making headlines. Your infidelity has worked to my advantage).

The man then admits to being hurt but he isn’t going to cry over it. He has simply left things to karma. The sporting words sets the stage for a brilliant lyrical experience. The most engaging of the verses is the man’s refusal to be a cry baby, melancholic writer. In a material word, men and women both get rejected for their economic condition. Later, when such jilted lover finds success, that is enough to make the infidel realise what they have lost out on.

The lyrics are soulful, but it is also backed by superlative singing and robust music by Anand. There is both pain, yet the sweet joy of karma in Anand’s tone.  The passion is reflected in Anand’s body language too, as the composer-singer-lyricist doesn’t bother about the camera and simply submits himself to the deep lyrics, music. 

The early twinkling sounds complement Anand’s baritone.  The western soft rock tunes follow. Jeez, come the hook line, the bell/clock dial tone is impactful.  The first antara is preceded by the sweet sound of desi [sitar] tunes but don’t miss out on the non-desi undertone. Jeez, the violin makes its presence in the following tunes.  If that wasn’t enough, the DJ in Anand also comes alive before the second antara. Phew, here is a song that has music for all ages.

The music, the singing, the lyrics is top notch. Do we even need to say that this is miles better than the original?  Simply tune into the magic of Mera Intkam 2.0