hink of the last few Sanjay Leela Bhan-sali films that have released – Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), Padmaavat (2018), Bajirao Mastani (2015), Ram Leela (2013) – and the words Sukoon (peace) will certainly not come to mind. His work as a filmmaker makes it sound almost incompatible.

He has a penchant for making the same opulent film as he switches actors who are riding a public and press high at the moment.

His controversial film, Padmaavat (2018) that made good money on the box office featuring Dee-pika Padukone, Ranveer Singh and Shahid Kapoor, is easily and unquestionably one of the most regressive Hindi films to emerge from new-age mainstream Bollywood cinema. But let’s not even go there.

Some of his films, well, just two did have good soundtracks like Devdaas (2002) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).

However, that can’t exactly be accredited to Mr. Bhansali. He was the music composer for a number of his films including Gangubai Kathiawadi, Padmaavat, Bajirao Mastani, and Ram Leela. But not Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdaas. Which means his films that featured the best soundtracks were not composed by him.

However, making music for no other purpose other than the sheer love for it does hold some merit.

So, Mr. Bhansali has taken a step forward in taking on the role of music director for an album called Sukoon.

The opening track, ‘Ghalib Hona Hai’ is too on the nose with its title because its both a bit desperate for attention and more ambiguous than anything else. Invoking the name of an Urdu literary giant also feels dishonest.

If you do get past your own perspective on whe-ther invoking the name of Ghalib was a mistake or not, embarking on the song is not exactly a touching moment, either.

‘Ghalib Hona Hai’ is almost exactly the kind of song you’d expect in a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film if he toned down some of the majestic visuals.

The goal behind the album, which took two years to finish, is certainly noble. Paying a tribute to the late (and legendary) Lata Mangeshkgar but the songs are just boring and makes you wonder why are you listening to this album? What else could you be listening to? What film song from Sanjay Leela Bhansali would you put as a great song?

There are many reasons including the fact that some singers are exactly the same ones who have been singing for Hindi films for years.

The songs are too cohesive almost like they’re annihilating each other. ‘Tujhe Bhi Chand’, sung by Shreya Ghoshal, for example, is forgotten as soon as you play ‘Qaraar’, also sung by Shreya Ghoshal. Some songs are so sacred that the fact they’ve been covered is another giant issue. You instantly want to listen to the original song, not this fancy version which appears as a banal effort.

Speaking about the album, Mr. Bhansali said exclusively, “Two years in the making, amidst the diffi-cult times of Covid, I found peace, quiet, and love while creating ‘Sukoon’. The album is my tribute to Lata Mangeshkar, bringing back memories of the good old lovely ballad, while making them relevant for today’s youth.”

The experience is like going to buy a double album and ending up with a four-song EP.

Songs meant to be ghazals with words by Ghalib are contrived. Ultimately, these modern and somewhat elaborate take on ghazals, Ghalib and an effort to modernize the process means the peaceful element seems lost. The irony is that had Sanjay Leela Bhansali curated songs from his own films, he might’ve ended up delivering a better album as a tribute to the great singer.