Filmmaker Aanand L Rai has made a name for himself for telling stories that are based in the hinterlands. His taste has reflected in his music too as the flavour of Uttar Pradesh was seen in the Tanu Weds Manu franchise and Raanjhanaa (2013). His soon-to-be-released Zero (2018) is based in Delhi and his dwarf protagonist Bauaa (Shah Rukh Khan) speaks with a Delhi accent.
Delhi shares a border with Uttar Pradesh and like Punjabi music, the music and language of UP is quite popular amongst Delhiites.
In ‘Issaqbaazi’, Rai and music directors Ajay-Atul have come up with a fine track that is a nice mix of Hindi and the UP lingo. The highlight of ‘Issaqbaazi’ is Salman Khan and Shah Rukh in one frame. Shah Rukh had made a special appearance in Salman’s Tubelight (2017) and now Salman returns the favour with a special appearance in Zero.
Actors like Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar have been appreciated for featuring in songs with a tinge of Bhojpuri. Dilip Kumar drew whistles for the ‘Nain Lad Jai Hai’ song from Ganga Jamuna (1961), and Bachchan cast a spell on all with ‘Khaike Paan Banaraswala’ from Don (1978).
Shah Rukh regaled in the ‘Khaike Paan Banaraswala’ reprise in the remake, Don: The Chase Begins (2006). Shah Rukh now gets a taste of the UP lingo again in ‘Issaqbaazi’.
‘Issaqbaazi’ has a charm of its own. Ishqbaazi is an Urdu word, but the Bhojpuri and the traditional folks from UP have a tendency to pronounce it as issaqbaazi.
Bauaa is over the moon after the popular actress Babita Kumari (Katrina Kaif) kisses him. For a man who has been the butt of all jokes, Bauaa must celebrate this achievement and has Salman Khan for company. The two Khans are basking in each others company.
The song is penned by Irshad Kamil ans scored by Ajay-Atul. “Jiya re chaknachoor hain issaqbaazi se” has a sense of euphoria. Bauaa, Salman and the listeners can just soak in the fun.
Ajay-Atul’s music has a rustic tone to it, but the duo also lace it with some contemporary pop music. There’s also an element of Qawwali-style music. All in all, Ajay-Atul do well to give a highly entertaining score. For those who swear by desi music, ‘Issaqbaazi’ is the ideal foot-tapping number.
The song is crooned by Sukhwinder Singh and Divya Kumar. Singh is the voice of Bauaa, while Kumar croons for Salman. The two have unique voices, but the duo compliment each other well here.
Singh being the more powerful singer, naturally, outperforms Kumar. Both Bauaa and Salman appear to fans of Babita and the antara see the duo having a little lyrical tiff.
Fine lyrics, backed by great singing and score but it is really the unconventional, carefree dancing by the two Khans that draws whistles.
Salman has seldom looked comfortable while dancing but it appears that Shah Rukh’s infectious energy has rubbed off on him as he chips in with a respectable performance.
In terms of dance, the song clearly belongs to Shah Rukh, who simply revels in the music. Now Remo D’Souza is credited as the film’s choreographer, but then we get to see choreographer Ganesh Acharya in the video. Was this a collaborative effort? We will know in due time.
All said and done, Issaqbaazi is a song that is music to the ears and a sight to behold. Zero will be released on 21 December.
Watch the song below: