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'Raqeeb - rivals in love' is a contemporary Bollywood erotic thriller based on the concept of lust, betrayal, crime, passion and deceit. It's a spine chilling murder mystery where seduction leads to love, love to betrayal, betrayal to passion, passion to crime, and this crime reveals another betrayal which again is motivated by love. Debutante director Anurag Singh promises "edge of seat" entertainer with some hot sensuous numbers and breathtaking visuals. Jimmy Shergill plays negative shades in the film while Rahul Khanna hopes for resurrection in his acting career after strings of flops. Dusky bong bombshell Tanushree Dutta is the female lead with actors like Sharman Joshi, Sherlyn Chopra, Kishori Shahane and Vishwajeet Pradhan in the supporting roles. Leading director Pritam has composed the musical soundtracks of the film. Sameer has penned the lyrics that signify the intimidating appeal of an erotic thriller. Raj Kanwar's 'Raqeeb - rivals in love' has eight original soundtracks that can be heard on T-Series music cassettes and CD's.

Jaane Kaise: Pritam's association with singer KK has been promising as far as their combination brings out another fine solo romantic soundtrack "Jaane Kaise". In terms of lyrical contents, it strikes big similarities with popular track "Tu Meri Shab Hai" ('Gangster'). The song has intimidating feel with haunting musical arrangements where KK's voice oozes out with great strength. Lyricist Sameer's words prove big boon in providing the song a vigorous spirit of everlasting love in lines like "Jaane kaise shab dhali, jaane kaise dil khila, Jaane kaise kab kahaan, chal pada yeh silsila…" Pritam's music may not have zing of 'Woh Lamhe' or 'Gangster' but the number proves to be a big musical attribute to this low profile album. It adds to the collection of KK under the workmanship of Pritam and will positively be a big factor in album's prospects.

This immensely romantic soundtrack is spiced up with disco beats filled with a strong impulse of "lounge" music thump by DJ G, Earl and Edgard G in "Jaane Kaise (Remix)". The number has a pulsating musical feel that can really make mood frenzy on the floors and it has the tenacity to lift the spirits as the promotional track for the film.

Dushmana: The title track comes in the musical mould of loud and fast paced musical arrangements where the singer narrates the theme of the film with the feel of obsession and passion in the soundtrack "Dushmana". Kunal Ganjawala delivers a mediocre soundtrack with over-enthused musical flow and contemporary lyrical stuff by Sameer. The song has strong daunting impact where the lover gets betrayed from his beloved and this expression is glorified with vivaciously punched musical beats. The song fails to promise anything extravagant or innovative for its conventional feel and sounds purely situational in the context of its musical strength.

The second version "Dushmana-2" is voiced by Sunidhi Chauhan with similar beat pattern and lyrical work. Even the female version fails to draw any applause as it sounds too screechy and loud to ears with unimpressive musical work. The title track has proved to be a sore thumb for the album and one hopes that it doesn't decimate film prospects.

Channa Ve Channa : Pritam has been successful in launching new talents to the marquee and "Channa Ve Channa" brings new singer Gayatri Ganjawala to the scenario. Gayatri, wife of singer Kunal Ganjawala, makes her singing debut with this track but unfortunately fails to leave any mark with her shrill paced vocals. It's disappointing to hear something uninspiring and lackluster musical work in a Pritam's film album after his back-to-back super-hits numbers. The song has sluggish paced musical arrangements and its loosely rendered lyrics fail to bind anything inspiring for a conventional love track. It has sensuous aura where the beloved entices her lover and consoles his aggravated feel but the musical spark is completely missing. The over-stimulated hip-hop rendition by Earl and emotional Punjabi folk display by Pritam hardly adds anything entertaining to the number. Overall, it's a disappointing start for Gayatri Ganjawala and a rare failure for Pritam in recent times.

"Channa Ve Channa (remix)" is much better than the original soundtrack as it provides the impulse of hip-shaking funky disco beats that mellow brilliantly with the moderately paced vocals and ordinary lyrics. DJ G, Earl and Edgard G's remix work adds fuel and fire to the number and this can be one big example where the remixes number works aggressively for the album's promising prospects.

Qateel : After an uninspiring Gayatri Ganjawala at the vocals, it's mediocre stuff from pop diva Alisha Chinai in the sensuously rendered soundtrack "Qateel". Alisha has made her niche in delivering raunchy and seductive item songs but this proves a dampener from the first beat. Sameer's lyrics are too monotonous to capitalize the sensuous charm with a routine Arabian musical thrill that fails to create any magic. Lately, Pritam had a blasting number with Alisha Chinai in "It's Rocking" ('Kya Love Story Hai'), but this comes out as a complete loser. The soundtrack "Qateel" proves a disappointment for both singer and composer and this comes as a big shock after hearing vivaciously churned "It's Rocking".

Tum Ho : The musical disappointment continues where talented Zubin Garg along with Tulsi Kumar comes out with a below average soundtrack "Tum Ho". This may be counted low in term of musical strength for Zubin, who has been ruling charts and hearts in recent times with hits like "Ya Ali" ('Gangster') etc. Shrill paced vocalist Tulsi Kumar's lethargic voice makes it murkier and unnoticeable and proves a displeasure for all Pritam's fans. It was the only duet of the album that could have lifted spirits but its fatigued and lifeless display has ruined all the deserving entertainment .

Disappointing work!!!

Pritam disappoints completely with 'Raqeeb - rivals in love' after his dream run of success in super-hit albums like 'Life in a…Metro', 'Just Married' and 'Hattrick'. Unfortunately, none of his musical works has proved magical. The album's saving grace is the solo track by KK ("Jaane Kaise"), but even this proves too mediocre as compared to Pritam's recent hit tracks from 'Life in a… Metro'. 'Raqeeb-rivals in love' has the disadvantage of being low profile entertainer with sub-standard face value. It's uninspiring and meager musical display will be a big disappointing factor in its sales prospects.

Overall, it's a complete washout!