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By Joginder Tuteja, July 27, 2007 - 11:32 IST
Pritish Nandy Communications has made films across genres over the years. Some of them have been hardcore commercial flicks whereas the production house has also dabbled with
offbeat/art house cinema. Based on the target audience, PNC has traditionally devised an impressive promotional campaign. This is the reason why one fails to understand the treatment that
has been meted to Bow Barracks Forever!
The film releases today with absolutely zero publicity and there are so many questions around the film:
a) What does the film's title stand for? Till someone explains the context behind 'Bow Barracks Forever!', it would all be mere speculation!
b) What is the film about? It is a drama, a black comedy, a thriller - Bow Barracks Forever! aakhir hai kya?
c) Of course it is a multiplex film but even there what is the film's target audience?
and most importantly
d) Is the film in English or Hindi? Or is it Hinglish? Or is it Bengali since just recently director Anjan Dutt came up with The Bong Connection a film that had liberal dose of Bengali in
it?
With number of more such queries in mind, one plays on the music of Bow Barracks Forever! which has music by Neel Dutt. First thing that one checks is if the album is completely
made of Bengali songs, just like The Bong Connection. It isn't, though this time around the album turns out to be English. And doesn't it turn out to be a pleasant surprise?
It's a jazzy beginning for Bow Barracks Forever! as Shaan modulates his voice for 'Jab Maine Dekha Use' to a huge degree in order to suit the genre of the song. A peppy feel good
English track that moves at a rapid pace, 'Jab Maine Dekha Use' are the only four words in Hindi while Anjan Dutt and Neel Dutt write an entire song in English. This is a kind of number
that one often hears in teen flicks/campus comedies coming from Hollywood. A nice start.
Dominique, who has been heard quite often as a backup vocalist in tracks that require English rendition, gets an opportunity to be the sole crooner for 'Home'. This time around, the
experience is even better as it is hard to believe that you are hearing a song like this from an Indian film.
Yet again, one gets a strong sense of listening to a song from the West as Dominique does just well to sing with a required accent without any of it looking forced or fake. A touching track, it
is aided by good orchestra that remains to be soft without going overboard. This number, which also has the film's title Bow Barracks Forever featuring in it, should make a good impact
while running in the background of the narrative.
Peppy mood of the album continues with Usha Utthup coming behind the mike for 'Teri Meri Merry Christmas'. A Hinglish track written by Usha Uthup and Neel Dutt, it is yet another
feel good outing in a jazz mode. Expect smiles all over the frames as the track plays on the screen. By his time one starts wondering about the reason behind zero promotion of the movie or
the album. Agreed that the music here is not what makes for a popular score but at the least it should have been used to create awareness about the film!
Proceedings seem to get into a subtle mode with the title song finally making an appearance. Bow Barracks Forever! is crooned by director Anjan himself even as piano aids him
throughout the 5 minute duration of the song. A soft number which comes quite easy on ears and has a soulful appeal, it is the kind which has to be played in the loneliness of the night.
Anjan's diction and modulation suits the mood of this Neel Dutt written song and justifies the director's presence.
Taking over from where Bow Barracks Forever! left, Dibyendu croons 'Dance Through The Night' which has a Spanish base to it. An enjoyable track, it would have been a
guaranteed success if only Yash Raj Films would have laid hands on it. Off late, such genre has made a repeated presence in soundtracks coming from YRF and with some more commercial
ingredients added to it, 'Dance Through The Night' would have made a far larger impact. It's a pity that this Anjan Dutt written track hasn't been heard by many so far.
Last two tracks in the album are mainly theme pieces which have been composed by Anjan Dutt and Neel Dutt. First to come is an out and out guitar piece titled 'The Bright Young Love
Theme'. Yet again, the 5 minute piece is easy on ears and deserves a hearing in isolation. It moves smoothly in a one-dimensional mode and though one would have expected some twist
in the tale, one doesn't mind hearing it the way it finally turns out to be. Ditto in case of 'The Lost Glory' where saxophone is the sole instrument in play.
As mentioned earlier, Bow Barracks Forever! is not the kind which one could term as a commercially viable soundtrack. Still, that doesn't negate the fact that it is a quality score which
could potentially suit the genre and theme of the film. Neel Dutt's score makes a good enough promise that it would go with the narrative of Bow Barracks Forever! and would only aid
in story telling. Sometimes, even that is just good enough for a film!
  
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