An overdose of something good never really harmed anyone and especially if we are talking about A. R. Rehman. This collector’s edition of 51 tracks is broken up into five CDs – four film hits of the Mozart of Chennai and one Instrumental CD that covers tracks from a few Bollywood movie soundtracks.

In one place you have almost his finest collection beginning with CD 1 that has the amazingly tuneful Dil Se (‘Dil Se’), Rang De Basanti (‘Rang De Basanti’), the lovable Chinamma Chilakama (‘Meenaxi’) and Mitwa (‘Lagaan’). 

There are a few underrated tracks past their time when they were originally released that come into CD 2 like Warriors in Peace a Hindi track composed by Rehman for a Chinese movie ‘Warriors of Heaven and Earth’. The score is very impressive and has the use of the Czech Film Orchestra, Japanese taiko drums, the flute and the duduk. Look out for Hello Goodbye (‘Ayithe Ezuthu’) and So Gaye Hain (‘Zubeidaa’).

CD3 is filled with 8 instrumental tracks and includes commendable scores from his 2002 West End blockbuster, the musical ‘Bombay Dreams’. There’s also the very captivating Missing from his 2006 album ‘Vande Mataram’ and the chill out Rangeela Theme song.

CD 4 continues with the string of Bollywood film songs and the toppers include songs from Dil Se the hits being Jeeya Jale Jaan Jale, to the most interesting of them all Chaiya Chaiya.

Lastly CD 5 has hits like Tu Hi Re (‘Bombay’), Roja (‘Roja’), and the very patriotic Maa Tujhe Salaam.

The DVD has 8 songs and also Rehman talking about the making a few of his hits.

While the effort is good, sadly the collection is mish mashed and follows no order, no set of time of release, genre or even singers and language. You may suddenly get tuned to a south Indian song by Rehman. The compilation also strangely does not feature any songs from ‘Taal’, ‘Tanha Tanha’ (from ‘Rangeela’).

But all said and done, it’s a collection worth investing in and money well spent for hours of a genius who has very few misses and more of hits.

Rating: *****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira