Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

To say that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is going places would be a huge understatement. The exceedingly talented singer in a very short span has already sung a number of hit songs, a majority of which is for Bollywood films. Those of you who crib and grump that he doesn’t more often sing for Pakistani projects, here’s something that might warm your hearts.

There’s a song Yahan Aya Hoon Naya Naya that Rahat has sung as part of the promotional soundtrack for a TV play titled Omar, Dadi And Gharwale. The number has been nicely composed by the father-son duo of Farrukh Abid and Shoaib Farrukh. Give it a listen and enjoy.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

You have to feel sorry for with the guy. The exceedingly talented Rahat Fateh Ali Khan must be thinking ‘why the heck did I choose to be a judge on a music reality show’ for the sole reason that every time a film celebrity appears on Chhote Ustad, they’re asked (sometimes pushed) to get on to the stage and shake their booty (read: dance). Each time that happens, they implore RFK to join them and show his moves. He obliges willy-nilly and looks utterly spaced out.

Poor old Rahat is a singer par excellence and is someone who is accustomed to singing songs while comfortably perched on the stage. Last week when Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra were plugging their film Anjaana Anjaani on Chhote Ustad, they were invariably asked to pirouette and twist. It was a scene to be seen when Ranbir, on one occasion, requested Rahat to join in on the act. RFK got up and the way he tried not to disappoint them only made you sympathise with the singer. He was out of sorts and did things that are quite uncharacteristic of him. No details.

London Dreams (2009)

Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shankar Mahadevan

Album – London Dreams (2009)

Composers: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Off the soundtrack of the grandiose film London Dreams, which promises to be a cross between all the music-themed films Bollywood has produced lately with the grandeur of Sanjay Leela Bhansali films, ‘Khwab Jo’ redeems Rahat to a certain extent. A duet with composer/singer Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat, ‘Khwab Jo’ is a soaring combination that builds on the strengths of both singers. It’s a song that one would love to hear being performed live to see how the camaraderie between the two is, but the optimistic lyrics may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Verdict: Imagine yourself in an opera house while listening to this.

- by Saba Imtiaz

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

‘Rabba’

Singer: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Album – Main Aurr Mrs Khanna

Composers: Sajid-Wajid

‘Rabba’ is one of the more disappointing songs that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has done for Bollywood. It is sadly, entirely forgettable. Despite the fact that Rahat is reported to have broken down while recording this song, it doesn’t have any emotional depth. Instead, ‘Rabba’ just passes off as an average love song that even Rahat’s great vocals can do nothing for. I thought Rahat’s weakest song this year had to be ‘Ajj Din Chadheya’ from the Love Aaj Kal soundtrack, but ‘Rabba’ makes the former sound like a stroke of genius.

Verdict: Forgettable. Can we have another ‘Mann Ki Lagan’ please?

- by Saba Imtiaz