Producer: Kavita Munjal, Anjalika Mathur
Director: Somnath Sen
Cast: Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia
Music: Jagjit Singh, Shantanu Moitra
Singers:  Subha Mudgal, Jagjit Singh, Dev Choudhury, Falguni Pathak, Karsan Sargathia, Kay Kay, Jaspinder Narula
 
Directed by Somnath Sen, this movie reflects the life of the South Asian- American community. Ghazal Maestro Jagjit Singh and modern folk song churner Shantanu Moitra musically embellish the elegant lyrics of Gulzar, Abbas Tyrewala and Nida Fazli. Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia play the lead role.

Other than composing music Jagjit Singh lends his voice to some of Gulzar’s soulful lyrics. The songs include ‘Jaag Ke Kati’, ‘Tere Khayal Ki’ and ‘Dhuan Udtha Hai’. Jagjit Singh enhances the poetic intensity of these lyrics with his passionate rendition. They come close to the ghazals of his personal album.

‘Jab Se Kareeb Ho Ke Chale’ is another lyrical masterpiece from the gifted lyricist Nida Fazli’s pen. Once again Jagjit Singh comes behind the mike for this poignantly mellow track. The music and lyrics pierces your heart.

Subha Mudgal gets a chance to hold the mike with ‘Champi Dhoop Ke Saye’. Lyrics are by Gulzar. Jaspinder Narula follows Subha Mudgal with a Punjabi number ‘Mavan Te Dhiyan’. This traditional Punjabi folklore begins in a slow manner, but gains in pace on its way to finale.

This album concludes with a Krishna Bhajan by the queen of Navratri music Phalguni Pathak .KK, Dev Chaudhary and Karsan Sagathia gives her company in this devotional endeavor. This is a typical ‘garba’ song. Abbas Tyrewala pens down this Gujarati lyrics.

All in all ‘Leela’ is a beautiful album for the lovers of ghazals. There are no fast paced or noisy numbers in this collection. On the whole it is worth a buy for those who love soft and romantic songs.