Pritam is back with this new album and he has already captured the airwaves with the melodious ‘Yeh Tune Kya Kiya’. This is surprisingly a qawalli. Javed Bashir’s voice is fabulous, as is the chorus that accompanies him and drives home that addictive chorus. The arrangements are brilliant.  The tablas and harmonium work together very well to create the right effect.   

Remake of the famous “Tayyab Ali Pyar Ka Dushman” arranged by Anumpam Amod is respectful to the original spirit and melody,  and doesn’t experiment much with the template. It’s understandable that music directors like revisiting old classic songs, but when it’s just a plain recreation of the song without the élan or mischievous fun, then it’s just flat and plain unnecessary. The arrangements are fine, and Javed Ali seems a tad unsuited to this song, since he doesn’t convey any of that peppiness or fun that it requires.  

Tu Hi Khwahish, with Sunidhi Chauhan is a wonderful number with lovely arrangements. The Burman-esque “hooo haahh” chorus, to the big band sound of the trumpets and twangy guitars, it is a treat. Chauhan embellishes the song with her attitude and sass, which suits the music around her. The interludes are equally entertaining with the integration of the theme tune, and all of those synths and disco beats give it that extra edge in conjuring that 80s sound in mixing between the cabaret and disco.  

The last track, Chugliyaan, suits Javed Ali well. It is romantic song that suits his honeyed and assured voice.  The arrangements are simple with the dholak and strings catering to Ali and the male chorus who echo the melodious verses.  

Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai Dobaara is a good album that manages to stick to its winning formula with some gems