Housefull

Rating: ***1/2

Unabashed entertainment. That's what one expects from a team that comprises of the likes of Akshay Kumar, Sajid Khan and Sajid Nadiadwala. None of these three entities associated with 'Housefull' have made any pretensions of doing anything which is non-commercial.

Due to this very reason, one can also expect that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would come out of their 'zone' (which means the likes of 'Rock On', Karthik Calling Karthik' etc.) and instead end up making something which is 'massy junta ki pasand'.

That's something on display at the very beginning of 'Houseful' with Sameer written 'Oh Girl You're Mine' that has newcomer Tarun Sagar pairing up with Alyssa Mendonsa and Loy Mendonsa.

Together they come up with a fun outing which doesn't quite rely on the lyrics and instead has a hook line (the song's title) which is a good enough reason to play the song all over again.

Boasting of some addictive beats that make you put the song in a loop and wait for the video to hit the screen soon, 'Oh Girl You're Mine' is a winner.

Remember 'On the roof, in the rain' from 'Masti'? A similar setting is evidenced once again in 'Papa Jag Jayega' which has the lead couples of 'Housefull' trying to have a hush-hush rendezvous in the house while being constantly worried about the 'papa' who is sleeping.

A situational track written by Amitabh Bhattacharya which has a horde of singers - Ritu Pathak, Neeraj Sridhar, Alyssa Mendonsa, Amitabh Bhattacharya - coming together, 'Papa Jag Jayega' doesn't let the tempo of the album down. Yes, it is situational in appeal and hence the shelf life is limited. However, inside the film's narrative, it won't be a bad bet at all.

Next to arrive is the biggest of all - 'Aapka Kya Hoga - Dhanno' - which is a killer song all the way. To put it simply, this re-done version of 80s classic 'Apni To Jaise Taise' (Lawaaris) is a good enough paisa vasool element of the album since this song has not lost it's freshness despite being played on for 25 years.

Moreover, the musical team of SEL and Sameer along with Mika, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Sajid Khan (as singers) ensure that the song would now be remembered for many more years to come.

That's because rather than coming up with a routine remix that may have been done by dozen odd lesser teams in the past, there is a new feel given to 'Aapka Kya Hoga' with the help of an altogether new beginning and different lyrics.

If at all there is some similarity that remains, it is only in the interspersing portions where the hook line 'Aapka Kya Hoga' is heard.

The fun mood of the album coupled with the nostalgia of the 70s/80s continues with 'I Don't Know What To Do', courtesy the man behind the mike - Shabbir Kumar.

For those who have been following the music from the past, Shabbir Kumar was the man who was known for his unique voice during the era gone by. He hasn't lost his touch despite a gap of decades after which he is returning in 'I Don't Know What To Do' and thankfully the experiment works.

A track where a young sensual woman (brought to fore with perfection by Sunidhi Chauhan) is trying to seduce a man who has been caught unaware, this is one fun outing that many amongst audience would love to be a part of.

Finally arrives the track 'He's Such A Loser' which basically describes the character of the central protagonist in the film (played by Akshay Kumar) who is a big looser in life.

The fun here lies in the fact that despite its out and out Western treatment, it's lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya see a good coming together of Mumbaiya tone and flavour.

Sung by Vivienne Pocha and Amitabh Bhattacharya himself, 'He's Such A Loser' is a catchy number that stays with you immediately after the first listening itself.

In fact this is one element that works throughout 'Housefull' as whatever is served to you is constant coffee. The tunes remain with you, they entertain you and at the end of it all, you also know that these won't quite be ever lasting.

However, in the fast paced journey that everything is taking currently, it's the survival of what works 'today'. In that aspect, 'Housefull' works and ensures that there won't be any dull moment once the songs play on screen.