Updated 11 Sep, 2016 08:20pm

How have Pakistan's rocker women fared in their Bollywood debut Pink?

Upcoming Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Pink is said to be a thought-provoking exploration of rape culture in India. In the film, three friends are callously tried in court for their attempt to murder and defame their rapists. Giving the women's trials and tribulations added poignancy are Pakistani rockers Faiza Mujahid and Quratulain Balouch (QB).

With 'Jeenay De Mujhe' and 'Kaari Kaari', the singers give equal voice to the characters' hope and anguish. Here's what music critics have to say about their effort.


NDTV hailed Faiza Mujahid's 'Jeenay De Mujhe' as an anthem of women's empowerment.

"You go, girl! The new song from Amitabh Bachchan's Pink, Jeene De Mujhe, has all the ingredients to be the next anthem celebrating empowerment. Composed, penned and sung by Faiza Mujahid, the song has simple yet powerful lyrics: "Yaar hat ja zara, Dekh le main hoon yahaan, Meri zindagi hai ye mera jaha, Tu samjhe yaha tuhi hai badshah."

Filmfare's Devesh Sharma, too, sung high praises of Faiza's track.

"'Jeenay De Mujhe', sung, written and composed by Faiza Mujahid, is a full-throttle declaration of letting people lead their lives on their own terms. Faiza is a rock sensation from Pakistan and this song shows why she’s so hot across the border. The no-holds-[barred] song about freedom, about choice, especially from a female perspective goes well with the theme of the film and will surely leave an impact."

Scroll.in's Manish Gaekwad, however, was less impressed by the lyrics.

""Jeene de mujhe tu jeene de, zindagi ka jaam tu peene de” (Let me live, let me drink the intoxicant of life), [Faiza] declares in the rock anthem that she has also written and composed. The lyrics are banal, emphasising on the rhyme of the words “jeene ,de” with “peene de” and “rehne de”, which comes off as more inebriated than a heartfelt cry for emancipation."


However, Manish Gaekwad also feels it's Quratulain Balouch who's saved the Pink soundtrack.

"In 'Kaari Kaari', Pakistani sensation Quratulain Balouch sings wistfully, brooding over a gloomy world... Balouch comes closest to defining the angst-ridden mood of the album with her soulful singing in Kaari Kaari, in which the poetic lyrics are in sync with the sombre tune."

Filmfare's Devesh also thinks QB hit just the right note in the track.

"She has sung the pathos-filled 'Kaari Kaari' with just the right amount of pain and angst in her voice. Her rendition makes Tanveer Ghazi’s lyrics even more impactful. She’s surely a singer to watch out for in future, as is Faiza."

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