The Movieholic

Music Review : Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara

2013-08-18T09:17:00.000-07:00

Pritam’s soundtrack for Once Upon A Time In Mumbai was a huge success. Songs such as Pee Loon, Tum Jo Aaye and Parda scorched the radio waves for months after the film released. Director Milan Luthria now returns with the highly anticipated sequel Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara starring Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan & Sonakshi Sinha. Pritam composes the music this time around too. The opening track of the album Yeh Tune Kya Kiya (Javed Bashir) is an intricate Sufi styled qawwalli. Pritam reuses sizeable portions of Pee Loon & Tum Jo Aaye in the interludes of this song. It’s a catchy number no doubt but Bashir’s raspy vocals make it a slightly tedious listen. One can’t help wonder how Rahat Fateh Ali Khan would have rendered this track! Tu Hi Khwahish attempts to replicate the successful cabaret song Parda from the original film (OUATIM) replete with the 80s style disco beats, orchestral arrangements similar to RD Burman’s club tracks and Sunidhi Chauhan’s powerful high pitched vocals. But the efforts fall short & the concoction fails to get you grooving. Mohammed Rafi’s Tayyab Ali from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) is considered an all time classic by Bollywood aficionados. In his recreation of this qawwalli, Anupam Amod thankfully doesn’t alter much. Javed Ali’s rendition is top notch and one of the reasons this song is enjoyable. Though Rajat Arora’s additional lyrics are a tad annoying especially the English portions. Javed Ali is in exemplary form in Chugliyaan, a breezy romantic yet stereotypical Pritam composition. Sahir Ali Bagga’s alaaps are a perfect foil to Ali’s gorgeous vocals in this ballad. Unlike the fantastic melodies of the earlier film, Pritam’s music for the sequel is largely ordinary.

Music Review : Chennai Express

2013-08-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

The opening track One Two Three Four (Vishal Dadlani, Hamsika Iyer) is a delightful, thumping dance number that grabs you right away. Vishal-Shekar take the popular Tamil dance (Kuthu) template, give it a modern twist packing in heavy percussion and a fun chorus in Tamil. The easy, sing along lyrics are sung with abandon by Iyer & Dadlani and the result is a delicious foot-tapping riot! Titli is an exquisitely composed ballad. Using minimal arrangements and a pleasant melody, Vishal-Shekar craft a breathtakingly serene number that’s the highpoint of this album. Chinmayi and Gopi Sundar add dollops of freshness to this romantic number with their marvelous vocals. The other romantic track Tera Rastaa Chodoon Na (Amitabh Bhattacharya, Anusha Mani) is breezy and easy on the ears, but doesn’t quite stay with you. The swift pace and the rhythmic bed works for Kashmir Main, Tu Kanyakumari (Sunidhi Chauhan, Neeti Mohan, Arijit Singh) – an otherwise routine composition that only good till it lasts. Though Arijit Singh is in fine form, Sunidhi Chauhan and Neeti Mohan hardly make an impact. Ready Steady Po (Vishal Dadlani, Brodha V, Smokey, Natalie Di Luccio, Enkore) is an outright disappointment. The excessively auto tuned vocals and the chaotic arrangements make this an unbearable listen. In the title track Chennai Express, S.P.Balasubramaniam is spoofing himself and is clearly having fun doing it. The Hinglish lyrics are ridiculous and the composers totally overdose on the techno sound. But the song is whacky & exuberant. The “Get on the train’ hook sticks in your head and you will be humming it. Chennai Express is an album that’s part functional & part fun!

Meesha Shafi

2013-06-16T13:12:00.001-07:00

Late night mindless Internet surfing led me to Youtube and this brilliant track Dasht-e-Tanhai! Pakistani singer Meesha Shafi blew my mind with her magical, haunting voice. The lyrics are in Urdu and hard to follow but the track is pure Gold.Dasht-e-Tanhai I think means the struggle of loneliness. Enjoy!

Music Review : Shortcut Romeo

2013-06-11T22:42:00.001-07:00

Composer Himesh Reshammiya is in dire need of a lyricist. After the tedious Po Po Po (Son of Sardar) he returns with another mind numbing track - Pe Pe Pe! Be warned - the asinine tune and dim-witted lyrics will prompt you to commit acts of violence. This one deserves an instant fast forward. Ishq Gangster (Himesh Reshammiya, Vineet Singh) is marginally better. Though the rhythm is moderately catchy, the singing is a brutal assault on your eardrums. Thankfully Reshammiya redeems himself to an extent with Khali Salaam Dua - a formulaic ballad sung beautifully by Mohit Chauhan. The uncluttered composition focuses largely on Chauhan’s gorgeous vocals whilst sparingly using the piano and violins. The title track Shortcut Romeo, a smooth mix of pop & jazz with Ash King’s stylish vocals is a fairly engaging listen too. Though Ash King sounds a lot like Adnan Sami here. Reshamiyya takes inspiration from the Tamil folk tune Dappan Koothu in Jave Saari Duniya. Though the lyrics are atrocious, the catchy tune and Mika Singh’s spirited rendition makes this a bearable number, only till it lasts. As they say there are no shortcuts to success. That definitely holds true for the music of this film. Listen at your own peril!

Music Review : Ghanchakkar

2013-06-02T09:47:00.001-07:00

Ghanchakkar is a short album featuring four loony tracks composed by Amit Trivedi. The title track Ghanchakkar Babu is a quirky, catchy & extremely hummable number packed with delightful sounding nonsensical lyrics – spontaneous jholumpatti, continuous thukampatti, nalasopara dekho sayonara etc. placed on a disco bed. Trivedi renders this number in an easy, casual manner that suits the madcap composition perfectly. The terrific Richa Sharma gives Lazy Lad an endearing Punjabi-ness that turns out to be the highlight of this charming number! A catchy whistle prelude and Trivedi’s splendidly entertaining arrangement will ensure you are hooked! In Allah Meherbaan , Trivedi merges two contrasting genres - traditional qawalli with electronic pop - to deliver a superbly catchy song. Divya Kumar’s strong rendition is another reason this song works. Sadly, the highly talked about return of Altaf Raja in Jholu Ram disappoints. The nostalgic factor just doesn’t work! Trivedi packs this composition with comic effects, a chorus that sounds Tamil and some smooth saxophone notes, but it doesn’t quite fall together in place. The soundtrack of Ghanchakkar is crisp & enjoyable!

Music Review : Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

2013-05-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Exuberant saxophone & trumpet notes set the mood for the high-energy, instantly likeable Badmateez Dil (Benny Dayal, Shefali Alvares). Bhattacharya’ s nonsensical lyrics coupled with Dayal’s spirited vocals make this retro styled dance track an immediate favorite! Pritam’s composition is a delightfully massy track that’s going to be blaring out of every disco this season! Balam Pichkari is a flirtatious Holi song sung enthusiastically by Vishal Dadlani and Shalmali Kholgade. Pritam brilliantly fuses diverse instruments such as the harmonium and the violin to create a joyful underlay that makes this up-tempo track endearing. Subhanallah is slightly formulaic in its composition, but Sreeram’s perfect rendition makes it a worthwhile listen. Shilpa Rao puts in a cameo in this soft ballad. Pritam’s arrangement in Ilahi uses a strong chorus by kids and some stellar banjo & guitar work. This breezy number has a carefree attitude and Mohit Chauhan nails it with his lively rendition. The much talked about Ghagra (Rekha Bharadwaj, Vishal Dadlani) felt tepid before the promos hit the tube. The arrangement by Pritam is traditional overdosing on the harmonium and tabla and in spite of the singers doing a good job, it felt like this item number lacked the bite! But that’s till we saw the electric dance moves of Ranbir Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit. Ghagra now seems destined for popularity! The rap portions of Dilliwali Girlfriend (Arijit Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan) throws up memories of Soni Di Nakhre (Partner). Though Singh & Chauhan infuse solid energy into this dance number , the composition doesn’t offer anything new and at best, is average. In Kabira – Reprise (Harshdeep Kaur, Arijit Singh) Pritam uses the dholak, shehnai and tabla to create a somewhat traditional wedding number where the lyrics describe the emotions of a bride. Harshdeep and Arijit are fantastic in their delivery. But it’s the original version by Rekha Bharadwaj & Tochi Raina that stays with you long after you’ve heard it! The gentle melody is wrapped around a rock arrangement & both the singers display excellent form. The philosophical lyrics add to the charm of this soulful song. Must listen!

Waiting with bated breath

2013-05-19T11:47:00.000-07:00

The first half of the year is coming to a close. Come June and it's the beginning of exciting times for Bollywood music fans. The big budgeted, star studded flicks with superstars start releasing now. This year we'll have Krrish 3, Dhoom 3, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Besharam, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2 releasing between June & December. When it comes to musical scores, I am eagerly awaiting the soundtracks of two films - Anand L Rai's Raanjhanaa and Vikram Motwane's Lootera. A.R.Rahman has composed the songs and background score for Raanjhanaa and if the two teasers are any indication, then fans can expect a scintillating set of songs from the maestro! Here's a glimpse of the title track Lootera, Motwane's second film after his brilliant debut Udaan, has Amit Tridevi assigned as the composer. The film based on O'Henry's short The Last Leaf is a period romance drama. The first track released earlier this week Sanwaar Loon has been sung by Monali Thakur (of Zara Zara Touch Me from Race fame). I am seriously expecting Trivedi to redeem himself here, after the disastrous soundtrack of Bombay Talkies! Which music album are you looking forward to?

Music Review : Aurangzeb

2013-05-10T23:57:00.000-07:00

Aurangzeb marks the directorial debut of writer Atul Sabharwal. He had earlier directed the critically acclaimed TV series Powder & written the taut thriller My Wife’s Murder. Sabhawarwal has managed a dream cast for his maiden film that includes stalwarts like Rishi Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Amrita Singh and newcomers like Prithviraj & Arjun Kapoor. The soundtrack comprising five songs & four music pieces, has been composed by Vipin Mishra and Amartya (Bobo) Rahut. Rahut composes two tracks - Barbaadiyan (Ram Sampath, Sasheh Aagha) & its slower variant Barbaadi (Agnee Mohan). Though the songs share the same lyrics, they are diametrically opposite in composition. Barbaadi with its grunge undertones is a deeply evocative number. Rahut’s uses the piano and the electric guitar effectively to create a mood of melancholy that draws you in. And Agnee Mohan’s hits the bull’s eye with his strong, passionate rendition! Barbaadiyan on the other hand is a high octane, techno club number sung with gusto by Aagha & Sampath. Not exactly a stand out track, but works quite well as a slick party song. Ex-guitarist of the band Parikrama, Mishra delights with his composition Jigra Fakira, a stunning combination of Sufi, folk & rock! Keerthi Sagathia’s unique, rustic vocals are a beautiful fit for this poignant number. Though the lyrics by Manoj Kumar Nath are largely in Punjabi and may not be easily understood by many, it’s strongly recommended that you listen to this captivating track! Marianne D’Cruz Aiman’s version of the title track is dramatic & powerful, especially the choir part. Vipin shines in his scruffy rock version of the same number, which also features some excellent guitar work. The album includes four compelling music pieces by Vipin Mishra. Battleground Gurgaon is spectacularly dramatic & intriguing as is Trial By Fire. The Father’s Truth is a fantastic instrumental piece with great saxophone bits and the Aurangzeb Theme makes splendid use of the violins & drums. Mishra’s music is in absolute sync with the genre of the film. Aurangzeb is an unconventional album but worthy of note. Give it a shot!

Music Review : Shootout at Wadala

2013-04-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Sanjay Gupta’s multi starrer Shootout at Wadala (SAW) is one of the highly anticipated films this summer. Gupta’s films are known for their stylized action pieces & lavish item numbers and going by the promos, his latest flick has plenty of both! The soundtrack of SAW composed by an array of music directors, boasts of six original songs and five remix numbers. Anu Malik uses a common trumpet motif in both his item numbers Babli Badmaash & Ala Re Ala. Babli Badmaash, a retro styled disco number isn’t exactly scorching, but Sunidhi Chauhan’s robust singing definitely gets your attention. Malik has clearly been inspired by RD Burman (Shaan) and Kalyanji Anandji (Jaanbaaz) here. Malik tries hard to mix genres in Ala Re Ala but the end result is a muddled track that can’t decide if it wants to stay in the seductive cabaret space or become a percussion heavy folksy song! Anand Raaj Anand sole composition Laila is a cheesy, naughty item number specifically targeted at the frontbenchers. Mika Singh is clearly having a blast and that reflects in his singing. The song doesn’t have a shelf life but Sunny Leone’s presence will ensure some traction. Aye Manya (Adnan Sami, Shaan) is an attempt to create a languidly paced catchy song like Rama Re from Gupta’s earlier flick Kaante. But Meet Bros Anjjan end up creating a mish mash that sounds like Jai Maa Kali (Karan Arjun) in some parts and entirely nondescript in the others. The spoken stanzas by Anil Kapoor & John Abraham are the highlights of Goli (Meet Bros, Sudesh Bhonsle), a dark anthem like situational track that should work well as a background number. The best track in the album is Yeh Junoon, a soulful ballad composed & sung by Mustafa Zahid. The Pakistani rock artist renders this love song with passion & a longing that seems heartfelt. Compared to Gupta’s earlier films, the soundtrack of SAW is a let down.

Music Review : Ek Thi Daayan

2013-04-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

Yaaram (Sunidhi Chauhan, Clinton Cerejo) is a gorgeous melody that charms from the word go. The track starts off slow with soft guitar strums and Sunidhi’s gentle, soulful voice, only to gather momentum & change tempo midway with the Dil hook! The guitar work is exemplary and the singers, outstanding. But it’s Gulzar’s poetry that’s the mainstay of this extremely hummable number. Part languid, part frenzied Yaaram is a delicious ballad that deserves a place in your play list. Clinton Cerejo’s solo Kaali Kaali is a haunting romantic number that’s more like a Rahman composition. It helps considerably that Gulzar’s poetry is breathtaking - soaked in romance & love. The interplay of the piano, guitar and violin is magical. Clinton in his solo number succeeds in leaving a strong mark with his delivery of this evocative song. Totey Udd Gaye is a flamboyant mix of Punjabi desi and rock with Bharadwaj favorite singers – Suresh Wadkar, Rekha Bharadwaj and Sukhwinder Singh lending their vocals. The lighthearted lyrics bring a smile to your face. It’s a good one time listen, but doesn’t quite have the charm of a Sapne Mein Milte Hain (Satya 1998) Lautungi Main is the dark & melancholic theme song. Vishal creates a poignant melody, layers it with an assortment of atmospheric sounds and instruments like the violin and creates an eerie, dramatic song. Rekha Bharadwaj’s brilliant rendition is the icing on the cake! Sapna Re Sapna is a lullaby sung by Padmanabh Gaikwad, the winner of a music reality show for kids. The child is endearing in his rendition of this simple song. The soundtrack of Ek Thi Daayan may not be in the league of Bharadwaj’s earlier albums (Satya, Omkara, Kaminey) but doesn’t disappoint either.

Music Review : Commando - A One Man Army

2013-04-05T21:31:00.000-07:00

Vidyut Jamwal, the leading man of the action thriller Commando is being touted as the next big action star. And going by the death defying stunts, glimpses of which can be seen in the promos, one would say rightly so! When action is the USP of a film, one doesn’t quite expect much from its soundtrack. Debutant music director Mannan Shaah bowls you over completely with the opening track Saawan Bairi (Rahat Fateh Ali Khan). Shaah, erstwhile assistant to Pritam skillfully mixes traditional elements with electronic sounds to create a haunting, romantic number. Khan is exquisite in his rendition, conveying soul and romance in his voice. This one’s a winner! Lutt Jawan opens interestingly with a mash up of tribal sounds and Dhruv Sangari’s captivating voice before it settles down into what can be best described as a Punjabi techno number. The song has an easy, cool groove to it and the chorus is catchy making it a decent listen. Lena Dena is a full blown Punjabi Bhangra number with Daler Mehndi at the helm. Though Mehndi is at his enthusiastic best, the composition is disappointingly mediocre. Mungda (Sunidhi Chauhan) is a take off on Usha Mangeshkar’s hit number from the retro flick Inkaar. Though the song lacks a strong melody, Shaah embellishes this item number with some catchy percussion and a fun chorus! Sunidhi Chauhan adds the extra zing with her saucy rendition. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s magnificent Saawan Bairi is the only bright spot in an otherwise ordinary album

Music Review : Nautanki Saala

2013-03-29T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ayushmann Khurrana’s Saadi Galli Aaja is a worthy follow up to Paani Da Rang (Vicky Donor). The actor does a commendable job with his delivery of this simple, melodious song that’s been set to tune by him & Rochak Kohli. The Punjabi lyrics aren’t difficult to comprehend either. It also helps that Neeti Mohan puts in a strong supporting performance. She plays a bigger part in the unplugged version, which with its Caribbean feel makes for some great listening. Pakistani composer Falak Shabbir’s composition Mera Mann is a soothing ballad that appeals almost instantly. This easy on the ears romantic number is present in four different versions. Of the lot, it’s Falak’s original track that makes a strong mark due to the singer’s effortless rendition and the infectious guitar & harmonica blend. Mikey McCleary twists the super hit number Dhak Dhak Karne Laga from Beta and makes it one of the spunkiest remixes you have heard in recent times. Actor Saba Azad’s sounds terrific and the prominent male chorus (Geet Sagar, Bruno Carvalo, Santosh Sawant, Jovian Soans) is very effective. Good fun! McCleary’s retains Nitin Mukesh’s original voice & most of the original arrangement in the remix of So Gaya Yeh Jahan, but ups the tempo. This once peaceful number is now an enjoyable techno track. Though Khurrana’s delivery is soulful, it’s a tad laboured in Tu Hi Tu. But strong lyrics by Kausar Munir and McCleary’s stunning composition make it a marvelous track that will have you reaching for the rewind button. Draamebaaz (Geet Sagar) is perhaps the weakest link in the album, working more as a situational track that’ll work best within the context of the film. Rashid Khan’s sole composition Sapna Mera Toota works within the conventional Bollywood Sufi template. Rashid also throws in elements of qawwalli and an English chorus bit for good measure. But it’s Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s excellent rendition that makes this heartbreaking number worth it! The highlight track of this album however is Dil Ki…Toh Lag Gayi by Saba Azad. The lyrics by Munir are a riot and McCleary’s lazily paced retro composition is seductive & whacky. Azad’s drawl like delivery is both sexy and charming and will have you hooked on to this delicious song!

Music Review : Aatma

2013-03-15T12:45:00.002-07:00

An ominous whistle and a hook inspired from Beethoven’s Fur Elise are the recurring motifs in the soundtrack of Aatma. The Haldipur brothers, who composed an odd song or two for films so far, take on the task of creating the entire music score for Suparn Verma’s horror flick. The album kicks off with the spooky lullaby Aaja Nindiya (Sangeeth Haldipur). The eerie song by a dad putting his daughter to sleep will send a chill up your spine. The composers successfully create a dark, melancholic mood with this composition that sets the tone for the album. And Sangeeth does a good job as the sole vocalist here. Jee Le Zyada (Alyssa Mendonca, Anusha Mani, Shefali Alvares, Apeksha Dandekar) is an upbeat girl gang kind of pop track. Kumaar’s words about living life to the fullest are youthful and sync well with the breezy tone of the number. And though each one has a distinct voice, the girls sound great together! Nikhil Paul George’s (Barfi fame) version of the same song is delightful with the singer adding interesting quirks to his singing. Teri Khatir (Suraj Jagan) is a dark, menacing rock song that works! The composers structure this title track smartly with electric guitars and violins in the interludes. But the highlight is Jagan’s powerful rendition - intense and effective. Koi Jaagi Aankhein (Anahita Irani) is a beautiful jazz version of Aaja Nindiya. Anahita’s voice is unconventional – seductive & quivering which adds to the eerieness of the song. The Aatma Theme is a haunting music piece that sits well with the rest of the album. The Haldipur brothers stick to their brief and create a strong album that complements the genre of the film.

Music Review : Chashme Baddoor

2013-03-01T21:15:00.000-08:00

The composers twist the popular jingle Har Ek Friend Zaroori Hota Hain to Har Ek Friend Kamina Hota Hain and create a Jhankaar beats styled 90s number that’s entertaining till it lasts. Sonu Nigam infuses energy and enthusiasm into his rendition while Munir’s lyrics are colloquial and fun. This peppy track is likely to catch the attention of the college going youth for a couple of months. Dhichkyaaon Doom Doom is reminiscent of all those endearing retro songs by RD Burman and that works in its favour. The composers take RDB’s hit template, create a charming number that’s more like banter between Ali Zafar and Shreya Ghoshal. Though engaging, the track could have definitely done with better lyrics. Early Morning has Sonu Nigam attempting to do a Kishore Kumar style yodeling in what seems like a Laxmikant Pyarelal inspired composition! Sherwani’s fun lyrics describe the feelings of waking up to a new romance. It’s a one-time listen but could be fun to watch on the big screen. Ishq Mohallah (Wajid, Mika Singh) is an assault on your eardrums and deserves an instant fast forward. And you cannot expect any better from a song that’s titled Andha Ghoda Race Mein Dauda (Ali Zafar, Wajid). Heavy rock elements and trite lyrics don’t help either! The original Chashme Buddoor(1981) had memorable music by Raj Kamal. Memorable is certainly not the word to describe Sajid-Wajid’s soundtrack for the remake. Mediocre is more like it.

Music Review : Himmatwala

2013-02-26T11:07:00.001-08:00

Himmatwala (1983) turned Sridevi into an overnight sensation in Bollywood and won her the sobriquet Thunder Thighs! Over-the-top drama, slapstick humour, hit music & ridiculous choreography made it the highest grossing flick of the year back then. Director Sajid Khan revisits this kitschy classic in his latest film, that stars Ajay Devgn alongside South Indian star Tamannah. Sajid-Wajid stay true to Bappi Lahiri’s original composition in their version of Nainon Mein Sapna. It’s good to hear Amit Kumar who ably steps into his dad’s shoes, while Shreya Ghoshal does well in Lata Mangeshkar’s place. The original has a high nostalgia factor that you invariably end up enjoying this latest version too. Ditto for the next track Taki Taki that features Mika Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Though the composers don’t stray too far from Bappida’s composition, Mika manages to brings his own dynamism into this playful number. Sajid Wajid fail miserably when it comes to creating their own tracks for this album. Bum Pe Laat (Shaan, Soham & Shubh Mukherjee) deserves an instant fast-forward. Totally cringe worthy in spite of Shaan’s best efforts. Dhoka Dhoka featuring heavy weights like Bappi Lahiri, Sunidhi Chauhan and Mamta Sharma is a mix-up of dull, stereotypical climax songs from 90s films. Give this one a skip too. Guest composers Sachin-Jigar manage to recreate the disco era of the 80s quite successfully in their sole composition Thank God It’s Friday (Sunidhi Chauhan). Sunidhi is spot on in her rendition and gives the track the extra spark. If only the lyrics hadn’t been so banal. Finally, it’s the two Bappi Lahiri oldies that saves the day for this otherwise damp squib of a soundtrack!

Yaarivanu

2013-02-17T04:21:00.001-08:00

I was doing my engineering in Dharwad when Prema Loka released. Oho-ho oorali yenu raadanta!! the film created havoc at the box office breaking several records!! The young testosterone filled lads of Karnataka hadn't seen someone as captivating as Juhi Chawla before. And the actor with her cute mannerisms and magical smile bowled us over completely!

Come to think of it, Prema Loka was a silly film! The wafer thin story line was loosely based on Grease 2. And for a screenplay...well let's say there were some 12 odd songs and some ridiculous 'praasa' scenes between the leads! But it made for fun viewing, largely due to the heroine & Hamsalekha's magnificent music.

Watch this song to get an idea of 'the over-the-topness' of the film. This must have been the only song in the history of Indian cinema to have used the services of both a stunt director and a choreographer!! The dance moves are hysterical and the junior artists - a riot !! And namma hero...lol..yenu helodu bidi!Ee cinema nantarane Crazy birudu sikkidu Ravi avarige. Full on dashing!!

I miss such films!! They were warped yet wonderful!

Music Review : Murder 3

2013-02-13T20:21:00.000-08:00

Murder 3 is the third installment in the successful Murder franchise from the house of Bhatts. What makes this film special is the fact that Pritam ,who has repeatedly delivered super hit music for several Bhatt films, composes for a Murder film for the first time! The album comprises three original songs by Pritam and one track by the Pakistani rock band Roxen. Teri Jhuki Nazar (Shafqat Amanat Ali) works quite well as a soulful lounge ballad, but has a strong air of familiarity about it. Like you have heard it all before. But Ali’s effortless rendition is reason enough to hit the rewind button . KK’s Mat Aazma Re sadly seems like a recycled version of one of his earlier songs. Even though the violins are an impressive addition, this song borrows heavily from the typical Pritam template for Bhatt films. KK’s earnest, but sadly that doesn’t help. Roxen’s sole composition Hum Jee Lenge is a version of their own hit Kaisay Jiyein (Album: Bhoola Samunder ). The track had found immense popularity with the youngsters when it released in 2011. Mustafa Zahid’s vocals & a dominant guitar riff make this an enjoyable listen. Jaata Hain Tujh Tak (Nikhil D’Souza) is a techno club number seriously lacking in groove & novelty. Murder (Anu Malik) & Murder 2 (Mithoon, Harshit Saxena) boasted of some memorable songs. In comparison, the soundtrack of Murder 3 is tepid.

Music Review : Special 26

2013-02-02T22:52:00.000-08:00

The opening song Tujh Sang Lagee (KK, M.M.Kreem) is a mix between a qawalli and a breezy romantic track. Though the composition is slightly old school, it’s the brilliance of the ever-reliable KK that makes this number enjoyable. Dharpakad is unlike any earlier Kreem composition. This upbeat song works due to Bappi Lahiri’s trademark rendition and is likely to be best enjoyed when watched on the screen. Himesh Reshammiya’s sole composition Gore Mukhde Pe is a retro styled Bhangra number, that’s surprisingly enjoyable. Reshammiya refrains from getting behind the mic this time. The melody is simple yet catchy and the singers - Aman Trikha Shreya Ghoshal and Shabab Sabri do a marvelous job. The last two tracks are the best in the album. Kaun Mera is a soft, mesmerizing love ballad that’s present in three stunning versions. Telugu singer Chaitra Ambadipudi keeps it low but bowls you with her controlled rendition (Watch her splendid rendition of Adele’s Rolling in the deep on YouTube). Papon’s version with beats & strings is dramatic while Sunidhi Chauhan’s version has an unplugged feel to it. Both the singers are brilliant in their delivery of this outstanding melody. Kreem masterfully blends Keerthi Sagathia’s soulful voice & Irshad Kamil strong lyrics with electric guitars and a lilting chorus to compose the poignant number, Mujh Mein Tu. Sagathia is great at expressing pathos! The reprise version by Kreem is just as stunning. Telugu composer M.M.Keeravani aka Kreem has been known for his gentle melodies in films like Criminal, Iss Raat Ki Subah Nahin, Jism & Sur. With Special 26, Kreem proves yet again that when it comes to soulful melodies, he is quite a master.

Music Review : Ishaqzaade

2012-04-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

Ishaqzaade opens marvelously with the evocative notes of a horn setting the mood for a mesmerizing romantic number. Trivedi ropes in mainstream singers like Javed Ali & Shreya Ghoshal to render this mellow ballad. Ali, who takes centre stage for most parts of this number is particularly soulful. The lyrics by Munir express the joys of first love endearingly. Ishaqzaade is a superb beginning for the soundtrack and raises expectations from the album. In Chokra Jawaan (Vishal Dadlani, Sunidhi Chauhan) Trivedi deftly fuses a brass band & drums with traditional folk sounds to create a delightful desi dance number. Structured like a jugalbandi with Sunidhi and Vishal ribbing each other, this item number is packed with energy and an infectious rhythm. The singers are outstanding. It also helps that Habib Faisal’s lyrics are refreshingly fun. Shalmali Kholpade is the star of this soundtrack and her rendition of Pareshan is fantastic! Her voice is a dazzling mix of naiveté & sensuality. Also full credit to Trivedi for trusting her with an outstanding composition that does justice to her talent. This romantic song often threatens to burst into a full-fledged grunge rock track, teases and swerves right back into the soft, dreamy space. The brilliant use of the harmonium and Munir’s lyrics are the other highlights of this gorgeous song. Shreya Ghoshal is pitch perfect in her rendition of Jhalla Wallah, getting the nuances pat on and conveying the right playfulness. The lyrics by Kausar Munir are a scream – clever & funny! In the same space as Kajre Re (Bunty aur Babli) in terms of feel and mood, this desi nautanki number packs a wallop too! The last song Aafaton Ke Parinde (Suraj Jagan, Divya Kumar) displays Trivedi’s brilliance yet again. He plays with a darker genre of electronic music, Dubstep and lays Jagan’s scruffy vocals on it. The result is a feisty, addictive track! The soundtrack of Ishaqzaade is innovative & electrifying! A must-buy. Verdict: Superb.

Music Review : Agneepath

2012-01-16T00:41:00.000-08:00

Agneepath won a lot of critical acclaim including a National Award for leading man Amitabh Bachchan when it released in the 90s, but didn’t qualify as a box office hit. In its remake Hrithik Roshan reprises the iconic role of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan. The film scheduled for release in January boasts of a stellar cast with bigwigs like Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. Ajay-Atul who made a gentle impact with their music for last year’s blockbuster Singham have composed the soundtrack for this Karan Johar production.

The composers recycle their hit number Kombadi Palali (Jatra, 2006) to create the fun filled, folksy Chikni Chameli (Shreya Ghoshal). Ever since the first promos hit the airwaves, this item number performed energetically by Katrina Kaif has become a huge craze. While Shreya Ghoshal is delightfully saucy in her delivery, it’s Bhattacharya’s playful & flirtatious lyrics that give that extra bounce to this dance track.

In spite of the mass friendly Chikni Chameli, the best tracks in this album however are O Saiyyan (Roop Kumar Rathod) and Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin (Sonu Nigam). Rathod enriches O Saiyyan with his silken vocals and lifts this serene, soulful composition to make it an almost magical experience. Ajay-Atul start the song splendidly using minimal instruments and wrap it up with an operatic flourish. A word of praise for Bhattacharya’s lyrics that vividly describe the state of mind of the heroine.

After inane compositions like Tees Maar Khan, Sonu Nigam returns with a number that truly befits his talent! His brilliant rendition of Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin will give you the goose bumps! The composers compose a philosophical number that has a calming effect. Good stuff. Udit Narayan makes a an impressive cameo in a predominantly Sunidhi Chauhan feel-good number Gun Gun Guna. Although the singing is earnest and efficient, the composition is a tad listless.

Shah Ka Rutba (Sukhwinder Singh, Anand Raaj Anand, Krishna Beura) is a situational qawwali probably serving as a backdrop at a crucial point in the film. The trio of unconventional singers however make it an interesting composition. Deva Shree Ganesha (Ajay Gogavale) with its drumbeats, chants and frenzied rhythm is a treat. The last 50 seconds especially give a solid adrenalin rush.

The original Agneepath was a musical disaster. But Atul-Ajay raise hopes for the remake by composing an array of lovely tracks.

Top 10 Songs of 2011 - Part 2

2011-12-26T02:47:00.000-08:00

In the second part of our special series, we take a look five scintillating songs that brought in audiences to the movie halls. Chartbusters that helped create a mammoth buzz around the movies.

Chammak Challo (Ra One)

A heady mix of Middle Eastern and mainstream Bollywood sounds, Chammak Challo (Akon, Hamsika Iyer) had a rhythm that was blazing and super infectious. International R&B artiste Akon, a charismatic singer surprised with his Hindi diction while Hamsika Iyer made a dazzling impact in her Tamil portions. Composers Vishal & Shekar delivered a monster track that captivated the nation almost instantly. This song was probably the most heard song of the year!

Ooh La La (The Dirty Picture)

Sung with solid enthusiasm by Bappi Lahiri and Shreya Ghoshal, this retro styled track was a colourful riot. Vishal-Shekar derived inspiration from Bappi Lahiri’s compositions for films like Mawwali, Himmatwala and Kasam Paida Karne Waale Ki. They smartly embellished this raunchy number with stereotypical 80s musical motifs – the percussion play, the strange noise made by the female chorus, disco effects etc. and synced it perfectly with Rajat Arora’s cheeky lyrics. Shreya Ghoshal was delightful in her coquettish rendition.

Teri Meri (Bodyguard)

On a good day Himesh Reshammiya can create a spellbinding Indian melody. In the same league as his earlier songs Tumse Milna (Tere Naam) and Main Jahaan Rahoon (Namastay London) Reshammiya composed a sparkling romantic ballad Teri Meri for Bodyguard. Shreya Ghosal and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan were fabulous in their rendition of this poignant love song. The track not only got maximum airplay on radio stations but was also a very popular caller tune.

Sadda Haq (Rockstar)

The lead guitarist of late Michael Jackson’s tour group, Orianthi Panagaris opened Saadda Haq with a spectacular guitar riff. What followed was a powerful rock anthem. The kind that went on to be heard at every protest and morcha in the country. This Rahman composition had the fire to evoke strong emotions especially in the youth. Kamil’s lyrics spoke of angst and Mohit Chauhan was fierce & grungy in his delivery.

Senorita (Zindagi Na Mile Dobara)

Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Farhan Akhtar joined Spanish Flamenco singer Maria Del Mar Fernandez in Senorita, one of the most euphoric tracks of the year. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed a lively, colorful and extremely hummable number that was hugely popular, especially with the urban youth.

Top 10 Songs of 2011 - Part 1

2011-12-24T05:04:00.000-08:00

This has been the year of the BIG chartbuster - loud, paisa vasool songs designed to provide instant gratification. There was no room for subtlety in the lyrics or in the melody. Everything had to be glitzy, catchy and forceful. Most big-ticket films released this year had that one song that drove the masses into a frenzy. As 2011 comes to a close, Box Office India takes a look at the year’s biggest songs.

Darling (7 Khoon Maaf)

Inspired by the Russian song ‘Kalinka’, Darling was undoubtedly the most flamboyant song of the year. It was hard not to get swayed by the exuberance of this delightful number. Usha Uthup and Rekha Bharadwaj especially the former were brilliant in their rendition and added to the festive spirit of this dramatic, hugely enjoyable track.

D.K.Bose (Delhi Belly)

This explosive rock track burst with infectious energy and an attitude reflective of today’s youth – spirited and unapologetic. The lyrics were risqué yet hilarious and the hook was undeniably catchy. Sampath not only delivered a winning composition, but also rendered it with absolute panache. The song had its set of detractors, but nothing could stop Bose from becoming a phenomenon.

Character Dheela (Ready)

Khan, known to be notorious for his off screen shenanigans especially with the ladies cheekily ridiculed himself in Character Dheela. This was the quintessential Pritam chartbuster - stylish vocals, a hook that stuck in your head, heavy orchestration and inane lyrics. There was even a synthesised horn that blared out intermittently! But the concoction worked and Character Dheela was being blasted out of every auto rickshaw , club and radio station.

Sadi Galli (Tanu Weds Manu)

RDB’s Sadi Galli was a resounding success some years ago. Debutant composer Krsna gave this boisterous track a new twist, roped in popular Bhangra singer Lehmber Hussainpuri to deliver it and created one of the most foot tapping numbers of the year. It was impossible to sit still when this number played.

Dhinka Chika (Ready)

Dhinka Chika became the anthem of the year. South Indian music director Devi Shri Prased recycled his chartbuster Ringa Ringa from Arya 2 (Telugu) upping the fun quotient significantly. The lyrics were cheesy and the tune was simple , making this a very easy song to sing along. Even the singers (Mika, Amrita Kak) delivered this typical Dappankoothu (the free style dance songs seen in Tamil cinema) ditty with genuine enthusiasm and gave it a pan-India appeal. And then there was Salman Khan’s on-screen antics that helped the popularity of this song hit the roof!

(to be continued)

Music Review : Players

2011-12-10T07:18:00.000-08:00

Directors Abbas & Mustan are renowned for their super hit musical thrillers. Over the years, the brothers have mastered the art of dishing out superbly entertaining masala fare by incorporating elements like intrigue, thrills, glamour and chartbuster songs in their films. The latest from their stable is Players, a remake of the heist flick The Italian Job. After Naqaab and Race, Pritam completes a hat trick with the directors by composing the songs for this film too.

The stand out track in this album is Kyun Dooriyan. Pritam realizes he has a winner on his hands and reworks the tune in three different versions. In the first one, he delicately combines Ritu Pathak’s seductive vocals with the accordion and creates a sensuous and dramatic song. Siddharth Basrur’s version is a fast paced dance track with an infectious techno hook. And Arijit Singh is equally impressive in the alternate version of this addictive club number. This one’s a sure shot chartbuster.

The love ballad Dil Ye Bekarar Kyun Hain (Mohit Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal) is another definite winner. Pritam weaves a lovely melody with a subtle electronic bed and creates a breezy romantic track that makes for splendid listening. Equally appealing is the Reprise version by Nikhil D’Souza and Priyani Vani. The lyrics ‘Jis Jagah Pe Khatam Sabki Baat Hoti Hai, Us Jagah Se Hamari Shuruat Hoti Hai’ sit awkwardly on the otherwise catchy tune. The singers Neeraj Sridhar, Siddharth Basrur and Mauli Dave render their parts with flourish making it a fairly enjoyable number.

Pritam goes on an auto-tune overdrive in Ho Gayi Tun (Yashita Yashpal, Bob) – what could have been a decent number ends up a highly annoying & noisy track. Buddhi Do Bhagwaan doesn’t work at all in spite of the talented Shruthi Pathak and rapper URL (who sounds a lot like Jr. B)

Kyun Dooriyan and Dil Ye Bekarar save the day for Pritam.

Music Review : Don 2 - The Chase Continues

2011-11-25T20:00:00.000-08:00

The soundtrack of Don – The Chase Begins was funky and superbly entertaining. Songs like Main Hoon Don and Aaj Ki Raat became extremely popular, enjoying massive airplay on radio stations and in clubs. Composers Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy have always been Farhan Akhtar’s first choice when it comes to the music in his films - Dil Chahta Hain, Lakshya and Don. The director teams with up the talented trio yet again in his latest thriller Don 2 – The Chase Continues.

Zaraa Dil Ko Thaam Lo is like an extended version of Aaj Ki Raat (from the earlier Don). This retro styled disco number doesn’t appeal instantly, takes its time to grow on you and then sticks in your head. The hook line is especially catchy. Dadlani sounds surprisingly suave and complements Anusha Mani’s sensuous vocals.

It’s always exciting to see Usha Uthup’s name in the credits of an album. Here, she gets a solo track, Hai Ye Maya that’s fashioned along the lines of theme songs from Bond flicks. While the tune is an amalgamation of various genres, it somehow lacks the zing to go with Uthup’s electrifying voice.

Dushman Mera (Shankar Mahadevan, Sunitha Sarathy) tries hard to simulate the ‘seduction meets vengeance’ theme achieved so effortlessly by Kalyanji-Anandji in songs like Yeh Mera Dil (Don – 1978) but ends up a middling track. Hopefully this face-off number between Roma and Don will be more entertaining on the big screen.
Mujhko Pehchaanlo (KK) is just another version of Shaan’s title track Main Hoon Don. Created around the classic Don theme, this number fails to match the intensity or energy of original.

The Don Waltz is a lovely piece of classical music that may work well in the context of the film, but sticks out in an otherwise fast paced soundtrack. The King is Back theme is another chic version of the Don theme. The soundtrack of Don 2 – The Chase Continues is not bad but definitely fails to live up to its hype and expectations

Music Review : Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

2011-11-21T18:29:00.000-08:00

Band Baaja Baraat (BBB) a relatively low budget film about marriage planners charmed the audiences last winter and raked in the moolah at the turnstiles. The successful team of that film returns with another rom-com Ladies vs Ricky Bahl this December. The music of BBB, composed by brothers Salim-Sulaiman, played a vital role in its success and the duo has been retained to compose the soundtrack for this Anushka Sharma & Ranveer Singh starrer too.

Though there is a ring of familiarity to Aadat Se Majboor, it still appeals due to Benny Dayal’s suave vocals and Bhattacharya’s lyrics that smartly describes character of the protagonist. The track’s upbeat no doubt, but the composers could have infused it with some spunk. As for Ranveer Singh’s rapping, it sounds amateurish and unexciting.

What Tarkeebein was for Ranveer in BBB, Jazba attempts to be same for Anuskha here. But this time around Salim-Sulaiman’s effort to create a feel-good fusion track falls flat. In spite of the singer Shilpa Rao’s best efforts, the song underwhelms. And what’s even more disappointing is that there are parts of Jazba that seem strikingly similar to Edward Maya’s Desert Rain. And if that wasn’t enough the composers repeat Maya’s bagpiper riff (using a violin instead) and create another new song around it in Thug Le, a lackluster track about the battle of the sexes.

Bhattacharya’s clever Hinglish lyrics redeem Jigar Da Tukda (Salim Merchant, Shraddha Pandit) to an extent, but this Punjabi dance number remains mediocre. Fatal Attraction, a stylish techno instrumental piece is perhaps the best thing in this album. The music of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is bland and stereotypical.