Things certainly seem to be looking up for the ailing film music industry, after a series of successful and semi-successful albums like Saathiya (music: A R Rahman), Andaaz (music: Nadeem-Shravan) and Khushi (music: Anu Maliik).

The release of two new eagerly awaited film soundtracks, director Sooraj Barjatya's Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon and director Aziz Mirza's Chalte Chalte has further bolstered the industry's morale. Since these two albums come from banners reputed for chartbusters, a lot depends on their performance.

Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, which releases May 2, comes from the reputed Rajshri banner. They are known for delivering huge musical hits like Dosti , Chitchor, Saawan Ko Aane Do, Nadiya Ke Paar, Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun!

Ever since he began making films, Sooraj has relied on composer Raam-Laxman who gave the banner such all-time successes as Kabootar ja ja (MPK) and Didi tera devar deewana (HAHK!).

The relatively disappointing performance of the music in his last film, Hum Saath-Saath Hain (music: Raam-Laxman), made him do some instant reshuffling. Raam-Laxman (Laxman passed away many years ago, but his partner Raam maintains the duo's professional name) was replaced by the more hip-and-happening Anu Maliik in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon.

Maliik seems rather pleased with the movie's final soundtrack. "I've used the vocals of Sunidhi Chauhan and Chithra for Kareena Kapoor, Shaan for Abhishek Bachchan and KK for Hrithik Roshan in 11 tracks. The music is designed to give listeners goosebumps. My tuning with Kareena has always been special. From Refugee to Khushi to Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, she inspires me to give my best."

The early response to Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon's music is extremely encouraging. The album could well be the first super-successful film soundtrack since Raaz in 2002.

The music of Shah Rukh Khan's home production, Chalte Chalte, which was released on April 29, is also raising much curiosity. The music of his earlier productions, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Asoka, have been talked about, even though they were not as successful as expected.

Chalte Chalte brings together warring brothers-in-law Aadesh Srivastava and Jatin-Lalit. Says Srivastava, "I was supposed to do all the songs in Chalte Chalte, but Jatin-Lalit were brought in later to do two songs."

The much-awaited music of Rakesh Roshan's Koi Mila Gaya and J P Dutta's LoC – which should release soon -- are also expected to boost the music market.

All this does not mean all is well in the domain of ditties. Ram Gopal Varma's experiment with Bhoot has fallen flat on its face. The soundtrack, 'inspired' by the scenes and situations in his horror film, has made a mockery of its carefully created mood of fear and foreboding.

Varma admits the experiment failed.

Perhaps, the industry is not ready to experiment. Every change in the music business seems to indicate a return to the status quo. Says Srivastava, "The songs that have succeeded have embraced the same formula film music embraced decades ago. Experimentation, it seems, will not happen in the near future."