Though the mishmash Hindi-English lyrics is a populist move, the Sachin-Jigar composition has a fine vibe and above all, the thumkas of Kriti Sanon and also Shraddha Kapoor.

By Mayur Lookhar

She lit up the end credits with Aao Kabhi Haveli Pe in Stree [2018], How could she not sizzle in her own Amar Kaushik directorial? Kriti Sanon emerges as the Thumkeshwari in her film Bhediya. Possibly a dream song, an end credit song, or you never know the musical point where Stree meets Bhediya. We’ll know that on 25 November, but starting today, the nation, the world will do the ‘thumkas’ [desi dance step] along with the Thumkeshwari Devi. Correction, Sanon clarified that Thumkeshwari is no goddess. She simply hoped it is a bigger rage than Param Sundari from Mimi [2021].

The Thumkeshwari song was launched today at the popular G7 Multiplex in Bandra, Mumbai. The theatre was packed to the rafters with crazy fans screaming, howling for the best part of the event. It was difficult to hear the lyrics amidst the frenzy. Thanks to YouTube that enables us to savour the song in its totality later.

Though aimed at the masses, the Thumkeshwari song has enough thumkas to get all grooving to its hook tunes. ‘The Oooooo Thumkeshwari’ line is the moment that will get everyone in a group to croon and try imitating the thumkas of Kriti Sanon and co. The very popular Sanon looks a desi dance goddess pulling off the thumkas, every move with elan. More importantly, she thoroughly submits herself to the music, to this dream world.  She is totally in sync with the vibe and the soul of the song. Credit to Ganesh Acharya for choreographing such a fine dance track.

Sanon is the Thumkeshwari, but Varun Dhawan offers more than a thumka. The hook step of Dhawan hand pressing, rotating Sanon’s chunari is a pure delight. The simplicity of that step alone makes it such a mass number. Don’t be surprised that from hereon, men will do the same with their partner/spouses at social gatherings. Shraddha Kapoor emerges from the corner and momentarily casts hers spell on Varun Dhawan. Dhawan appears to be reveling in the company of Sanon, Shraddha Kapoor, and the groovy music.

Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyrics are a mix of desi, popular words tinged with few English words. Lyrics aren’t the strongest point of such a song. To be honest, such populist songs are all about enjoying the hook lines, music. Honestly, the Sachin-Jigar composition ebbs and flows and it is largely the hook music that grips your imagination. The duo opens the singing and then pass the baton to Rashmeet Kaur and Ash King. 

The words Ni Main Dauda Jogi De Naal rekindled memories of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Qawwali that had Jana instead of Dauda. We believe these words to be part of Sufi, folk culture. Sachin-Jigar and Bhattacharya only use the words to change the tempo and introduce the first female voice – presumably Rashmeet Kaur or Ash King. Kriti and Dhawan having a step with one hand covering their left eye is all about expression. You won’t find these steps in any traditional dance forms. Perhaps, this is largely restricted to Bollywood dancing.  

Look who else is dancing to the words Ni Main Dauda Jogi De Naal – Abhishek Banerjee and first-time actor Palin. They’d be thrilled to be contributing to this peppy track. Honestly, the female singers play their part, but we felt it is the voices of Sachin and Jigar that reverberate strongly in this track.  

The song is a fine audio, visual entertainment package. If one needs to light up a boring environment, just play on Thumkeshwari and dance to its melody, shake to Kriti and Varun’s thumkas.

Watch the song below.