Music review: Delhi Belly

Composer Ram Sampath last did the music for Luv Ka The End, but the music vanished from people’s memories as quickly as it appeared. But it's surely not the same case with Delhi Belly.

Film: Delhi Belly
Music: Ram Sampath
Lyrics: Assorted

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Composer Ram Sampath last did the music for Luv Ka The End, along with lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, but the music vanished from people’s memories as quickly as it appeared. Thankfully, the same can’t be said about this Aamir Khan production.

Ram Sampath’s soundtrack cuts straight to the bone with its fiery lyrics by a posse of writers including Bhattacharya, and Akshat Verma who also wrote the film’s script.

Right from the first track Bhaag DK Bose… to the last I hate you (like I love you)…, Delhi Belly’s music pays homage to that of Quentin Tarantino’s spaghetti western Kill Bill and cult movie Pulp Fiction. However, Sampath treads the fine line between inspiration and plagiarism tactfully. For instance, Jaa chudail… sounds unusually similar to Bustin surfboards…’ from Pulp

Fiction. But Suraj Jagan’s singing in the desi track make all the difference.

We can’t say enough about the first track Bhaag DK Bose... This fast-paced and lively number with its mischievous and irreverent lyrics will have you singing its lines over and again. But Saigal blues… is undoubtedly the best song in the album. Chetan Shashital mimics iconic 1930s singer KL Saigal’s voice to the T. The number builds from a monologue to a full-fledged introspective ballad. Shashital’s low-fi vocals coupled with a scratchy beat and slide guitar make the song typically western and evocative.

Switty tera pyar chaida… continues the mood with its nonsense lyrics and playful tone. The rural sounding Bedardi raja… has a catchy beat that’s similar to Vishal Bhardwaj’s Ibn-e-batuta...

Delhi Belly’s soundtrack is like a box of candy. Every song is a treat and the album’s unique sound hasn’t been heard before in Bollywood music. Although Sampath has referenced Tarantino’s music quite a bit, the end result is pleasing.

What we like
Spaghetti western music
Saigal blues’ quirkiness

What we don’t like
Heavy inspiration from Tarantino movies

Rating: ****