Composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and lyricist Javed Akhtar make up the musical team of Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya.

So, is the music of Lakshya better than Farhan Akhtar's debut film, Dil Chahta Hai?

No.

Dil Chahta Hai was refreshingly unconventional. Lakshya is not all that inventive.

But the film, featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta, does have a couple of cool tunes to offer. And you realise the songs are considerably significant to the film.

Take Main aisa kyon hoon. The lyrics speak about a clueless chap. As a bonus, this superbly arranged hip-hop tune crooned animatedly by Shaan is one hell of a catchy number.

Then, there is Agar main kahoon. Its Western countryside influence in the music notwithstanding, the track plays on what-ifs. It also intersperses a conversation between Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta. The guy is trying to woo the girl. The girl is playing hard to please.

Hrithik's character exasperatedly exclaims, "Lagta hai tumhe kuch bhi acha nahi, sach ko bhi kehti ho sacha nahin. Although the camaraderie is reminiscent of Aamir Khan and Zinta in Jaane kyon (Dil Chahta Hai), Agar main kahoon gets a thumbs up.

Kitni baatein, a gently rendered melody by Sadhana Sargam and Hariharan, flows on a melancholic note.

Despite the enthusiasm in Shankar Mahadevan's voice and the drama in the compositions, Lakshya fails to make an impact. The title track doesn't have the go-getter spirit of Hindustani in Dus or Chalo chalein in Lagaan. The idealism in this track is kind of in-your-face, like that in the Bajaj Auto television commercials.

Kandhon se milte hain kandhe is high on patriotic fervour, but it doesn't make for an exciting billboard anthem. It is sung by Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Hariharan, Roop Kumar Rathod, Kunal Ganjawala and Vijay Prakash.

There are two instrumental themes as well — Separation and Victory. The former is a tender play of guitar strings and piano. The combination gains momentum with the addition of a melodramatic violin. This one is soothing on the ear. Victory is emotionally charged and action-packed.

Bottom line: Lakshya has its moments. But is that all you were expecting from one of 2004's eagerly awaited films?