Bollywood Rules Awards 2012

Best Film: Don 2

Best Director: Farhan Akhtar for Don 2


Best Actor: Ranbir Kapoor for Rockstar And Shahrukh Khan for Don 2

Best Actress: Vidya Balan for The Dirty Picture

Best Actor (Critics): Rajeev Khandelwal for Soundtrack

Best Actress (Critics): Priyanka Chopra for 7 Khoon Maaf

Best Film (Critics): Rockstar

Best Director (Critics): Imitiaz Ali for Rockstar   

Best Story: Imitiaz Ali for Rockstar

Best Screenplay: Rajat Aroraa for The Dirty Picture


Best Cinematography: Nicola Pecorini and V. Manikandan for Ra One

Best Editing: Aarti Bajaj for Rockstar


Best Dialogues: Rajat Aroraa for The Dirty Picture

Best Choreography: Ganesh Hegde for Chammak Challo(Ra One)

Best Supporting Actor: Farhan Akhtar for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara


Best Supporting Actress: Rani Mukherjee for No One Killed Jessica


Best Music: A R Rahman for Rockstar


Best Lyricist: Irshad Kamil for Nadaan Parinday(Rockstar)


Best Singer(Male): Mohit Chauhan for Tum Ho(Rockstar)


Best Singer(Female): Nandini Shrikar for Bhare Naina(Ra One)


Best Background Music:Shankar Ehsaan Loy for Don 2


Best Action: Spiro Raazatos and Abdy Gill for Ra One


Best Art Direction: Mithva Krishen for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara


Best Sound Design: Resul Pookutty for Ra One


Best Costume Design: Moiz Kapadia and Niharika Khan for The Dirty Picture


Best Visual Effects: Red Chillies Vfx for Ra One

Why This Kolaveri Di

Rockstar Movie Review

Rockstar is a Hindi Musical Film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Faakhri in lead roles. Directed by the new age” Yash Chopra” – Imitiaz Ali , who had earlier given us beautiful love stories in the form of Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal, yet again presents us a soulful story of love and life of a Rockstar’ Janardan Jakkhad’ aka ‘Jordan’. This is by far Imitiaz’s best work as a director and a storyteller. He delves deep into the psyche of his lead characters that it’s hard to believe that it’s only a film. Its actually more than a film, its an experience , and a soulful one. The film also stars Shammi Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Moufid Aziz, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel and Kumud Mishra, with the former making his last silver screen appearance in this film.

It’s a story of a middle class boy Janardan who hails from a Jatt family and studies in a Delhi college. How he falls in love to gain emotions that will help him in his singing career and hoe he transforms into a Rockstar with a rude attitude forms the crux of the story. Wriiten by Imitiaz itself, it shows the ups and downs in the life of Jordan the Rockstar and how he understands the deepness of love. The director has approached a new style of non linear storytelling which is quite novel enhancing its impact. Some may find it difficult to grasp but once you get hold of it, you will be amazed by its impact. Infact, it’s the strength of the movie. There are many light moments in the first half which provides adequate entertainment making the proceedings a bit lighter.

Music by the maestro A R Rahman is the soul and the lifeline of the film. The songs are so well interspersed in the narrative like a water flowing along the mountains. Mohit Chauhan who is the voice of the Rockstar  displays immense versatility and excels in every song. Picturization of the songs especially Kun Faaya Kun, Sadda  Haq, Nadaan Parinday and Hawaa Hawaa are beautiful  showing the beauty of the characters and the environment. Credit for this goes to the cinematographer Anil Mehta who spells magic with his camera. This is one of his best works. Editing by Aarti Bajaj is stylish and appeals to the yonger generation.  Background score by A R Rahman is stupendous heightening the impact of dramatic scenes.

Now talking about performances, Ranbir kapoor is a scene stealer and the backbone of this movie. To say that this is his finest performance would be an understatement. Ranbir breathes life into the character of Janardan and his transformation to Jordan is exemplary. Watch out for him when he first proposes the heroine and when he rebukes the media. He is excellent in comic scenes as well as high octane emotional scenes. He displays his versatility in this role which for him was a lifetime opportunity. After Srk, Aamir and Hrithik, Ranbir is the most versatile and brilliant actor which he had proved way back in Wake Up Sid. But with Rockstar, he goes a step further delivering the best performance of this year leaving behind Srk and Hrithik. Right from his expressions to his body language and mannerisms to his dialogue delivery and lip sync of the songs, he is flawless. Without Ranbir Kapoor , Rockstar would not have been what it is- a masterpiece. 

Nargis Faakhri as Heer debuts in this movie. She plays the love of Ranbir. She makes a confident debut showing her comic flair in lighter moments. But she seems to overact a bit in emotional scenes which are covered to an extent by her incandescent beauty. Nevertheless, as a debutant she makes an impact and can work harder on her acting skills to perform better next time.  Shammi Kapoor, the original rockstar is seen in a special appearance as a classical shehnai artist sparkles the screen with his enigmatic presence whenever he appears on screen. This is his last performance in a movie and a memorable one. Watching Ranbir and Shammi Kapoor in one frame is itself worth the price of a ticket. Aditi Rao Hydari as a news reporter does well in a small role while Kumud Mishra as Ranbir’s manager stands out in a brief but important role. The rest of the supporting cast does a fine job.

Rockstar is a movie which is rarely made in Bollywood. With Great performances, soulful music, artistic direction, it is the best musical film Bollywood has ever produced. Hats off to Imtiaz Ali, Ranbir Kapoor , A R Rahman and Mohit Chauhan for providing us a memorable film which is like a poetry in motion.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Ra One Movie Review

Ra One is a Sci-Fi movie starring Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Armaan Verma,Shahana Goswami and Tom Wu. Directed by Anubhav Sinha who have earlier directed films like Tum Bin, Dus and Cash,it is produced under the banner of Srk's Red Chillies Entertainment. It is the costliest indian film and the most promoted also so the expectations are tremendous. Also Shahrukh Khan's involvement in the project as an actor and producer makes it even more anticipated. So does the hype surrounded by it justified? Yes, if you have an apetite for different cinema in terms of it's execution and if you love the sci-fi genre.

The story written by Anubhav Sinha is novel and the basic premise of of the movie which is based on the battle between G One and Ra One, the lead characters is interesting . It's a story of a loving and simple father who loves his son and to impress him and make him happy, invents a unique game where the villain is more powerful than the hero. But what if the game that was meant to be played starts playing with your life. This line itself sums up the story of the movie. The first half of the film is flawless which shows the relationship of the nerdy south indian father Shekhar Subramanium with his punjabi wife and his son. The process of the devolopment of game is also shown in the first half which is very impressive. There are many light moments showing the goofiness of Shekhar and overtness of his wife Sonia. Then there are some chilling moments when Ra One comes out of the game and searches for Prateek. The Second half however dips at some places but is lightened up by G One's antics and out of this world Vfx. Yes, Vfx of this film surpasses that of robot and raises the bar for indian cinema.It is on par with Hollywood blockbusters like Spiderman, Superman, X-Men,etc.

Now coming to the performances, its Srk all the way. Hats off to this man for backing such a huge project with such conviction and achieves his goal. His performance as a nerdy South Indian  who is as innocent as a child is pitch perfect and gains sympathy from the viewers which is an achievement and as G One , he shows his versatility as it is complete opposite from the character of Shekhar. He comes from the virtual world and hence has limited emotions which are wonderfully displayed by Shahrukh. The daredevil stunts which he himself has performed are done to perfection. Kareena Kapoor as his punjabi wife Sonia delivers yet another powerful performance. She is delightful in the song Chammak Challo and shows her comic flair in light moments. She also displayed maturity in emotional sequences.Armaan Verma as Shekhar's son Prateek gives a cute and confident debut performance. Arjun Rampal though in a brief role delivers a commendable performance. His voice modulation is good and gives a chilling feeling to the audiences. Shahana Goswami as Shekhar's colleague is apt while Tom Wu, also a colleague is amazing in his short role.

Technically, the film is a masterpiece as it boasts of high octane action scenes laden with top class special effects surpassing previous indian attempts in this genre. Cinematography by Nicola Pecorini and V Manikandan is breathtakingly magnificent creating a powerful impact in action scenes and beautifully capturing the dance moves in songs like 'Criminal' and 'Chammak Challo'.Editing by Sanjay Sharma and Martin Walsh is crisp and arresting. Special mention to the Music composers Vishal-Shekar who have created a whole new sound for Ra One. All the songs as well as the background score is of high quality and Sound design by Oscar Winner Resul Pookutty is the best in Bollywood.

The film is a visual delight with great performances by the lead actors and crisp editing with high-end visual effects. It's a must watch for Srk fans and for all of you who want their cinema to be different and magnificent. The efforts of the whole team of Ra One must be lauded as they have made a film which takes the technology in Indian Cinema to greater heights. It will be loved by those who have their Hart in right place.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Most Awaited Ra One Look- Finally Revealed!

Dildaara Song Prom HD- Ra One

Jo Bhi Main- Rockstar Song Promo HD

Rockstar Music Review

   

                             

 Rockstar is a Bollywood Musical Film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Faakhri in the lead roles. Diected by Imtiaz Ali who had earlier directed the blockbuster Love Aaj Kaal in the year 2008, music is composed by the maestro A.R Rahman while the lyrics are penned by Irshad Kamil who is slowly making his mark in Bollywood. Imitaz's previous film Love Aaj Kal also boasted of melodious and chartbuster music by Pritam. This time he is backed by the maestro himself who with his magical tunes creates a whole new world of music capturing listener's mind. So the expectations are sky high with this soundtrack as the film itself is a musical. The Album consists of 11 original tracks and 2 instrumentals. Almost all the songs have been sung by Mohit Chauhan except one or two.

The album kickstarts with 'Phir se udd chala' which is a solo male song sung by Mohit Chauhan in his trademark drowsy voice which is soothing to the ears. It starts off with guitar strings and then comes the huuming of Mohit Chauhan which is captivating. The lyrics are hard to comprehend in the first hearing as the song is composed and sung in a breathless style but the pace of the song is medium. It has a feel of a 'Pahadi' folk song in terms of it's setting and instrumentation. Not great but a good listen which will take time to grow on you.

The second song 'Jo bhi main' which again is a solo Mohit Chauhan song is soft rock with minimal use of instruments focussing on the vocals. Lyrics here are the highpoint of the song describing the character's viewpoint beautifully. Also the singing here is of top quality and Mohit Chauhan goes all out and sings it like a true rockstar especially the phrases 'yay yay yay'. This song is a sure shot chartbuster and will go down well along the youth who likes their music to be a bit different. The use of guitar and drums is exceptional complementing the high octane vocals of Mohit Chauhan. This one's instantly likeable.

Next comes 'Katiya Karoon' which is solo female song sung by Harshdeep Kaur who had earlier sung 'Chand ki katori' in Guzaarish which went unnoticed despite it being a melodious one. Her talent was not explored till now but with this song, one can be sure that she will be heard quite often now. The song starts with the chorus singing 'tinglinga tingling' in a very sweet mannner and comes the instruments which are mostly indian and the song has a rustic feel to it without being harsh or over the top. It's medium paced and is a delight to listen. It can be played in a loop and still it won't bore you a bit. Lyrics are a mix of punjabi and hindi having a distinctive quality. Harshdeep's rendition is flawless perfectly bringing out the innocence and tanginess of the song. This one's a class apart.

After three solo tracks comes an ensemble song 'Kun Faaya Kun' sung by Javed Ali, A R Rahman and Mohit Chauhan which is a Sufi song in the name of Islamic God. After composing outstanding songs earlier in this genre such as 'Piya haji ali' and 'Khwaja mere khwaja', AR Rahman comes up with yet another divine compostion which is truly magical and leaves you in a trance. Irshad Kamil's soul stirring yet simple lyrics heighten the impact. Singing by all the three singers is out of this world as the song flows smoothly like water. Javed Ali who is often heard in Rahman’s composition shines like a diamond in this song and his child like innocent voice work wonders. A R Rahman with his high pitched voice is at his best while Mohit Chauhan who is new to this genre stands tall with the veterans. The song's duration is over 7 minutes but it doesn't bother as the listener gets mesmerized by the sheer brilliance of this composition. Indian instruments are effectively used weaving a web of purity and calmness. There is a bit of guitar strumming in the interlude providing it a unique flavor. Absolutely riveting and best of all songs.

The fifth track ‘Shehar mein’ sung by Mohit Chauhan and Karthik is an experimental song with witty lyrics and uneven pattern of composition. It is a situational track, a kind of a recording rehearsal going on between singers and composer. Both the singers have done a fantastic job and have sung it with zing. The instruments used are synthesizer mixed with beats of dholak. It’s an interesting composition which will be instantly liked by the youth. 

Next is ‘Hawaa Hawaa’ which starts off with the sound of accordion which was often heard in 70’s and 80’s. Sung by Mohit Chauhan in his inimitable style, the compostion has an eastern touch and takes you on the Arabian route. The song is medium paced but gains momentum in the interlude portions with the grand orchestration taking over. Lyrics are innovative and refreshing proving the song another dimension. A R Rahman shows his mastery with excellent use of instruments and setting making this song a delight for the listeners. Mohit Chauhan proves his mettle as a singer as it required a flexible voice with a wide range. He occasionally does some yudling in this song which is quite sweet.

The seventh track ‘Aur ho’ is a slow paced song and is a fusion of Sufi and rock music. Sung by Mohit Chauhan with great passion and emotions, it creates a stunning impact which lingers in the listener’s mind long after the song is over. The lyrics are exceptional bringing out the desperation and helplessness of the lead protagonist with gusto. The composition’s genre and setting reminds me of Rahman’s ‘Tu hi Tu ‘from the film Dil Se which is a landmark song in this particular genre. The instruments are minimal with Drums taking centerstage. Highly addictive.

Next comes one of the best tracks of this year ‘Nadaan Parinday’ which is a duet sung by A R Rahman and Mohit Chauhan, an exceptional combination of talent and passion. The song has elements of rock music especially the way instruments like guitar and drums are played in the interludes but the basic compostion is Sufi in nature. The song starts off slowly but soon gathers momentum as soon as the instruments come into play. Lyrics are like poetry and are philosophical in nature. The song changes track and scale in the antaras so smoothly and effectively that it gives goose bumps to the listener. This is at par with the best song of this album ‘Kun Fayaa Kun’. A gem of a song.

The ninth track ‘Tum Ko’ is a female solo song sung by the veteran Kavita Subramaniam who returns after a hiatus in this soulful romantic track. Her mellifluous voice creates a world of purity and calmness beautifully depicting the emotions of the girl longing for her love. Meaningful lyrics coupled with outstanding compostion using instruments like tabla and sarod in a heavenly way makes it a must listen. This song would have been grabbed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali anyday if given a chance. The choice of the singer by A R Rahman deserves extra brownie points.

Then comes the true blue rock song ‘Sadda Haq’ sung by the rockstar Mohit Chauhan with a kickass attitude and extreme passion which was the need of the hour. Currently being shown on TV, it is quite becoming a rage among the youngsters. The guitar riffs and drum beats along with synthesizer are of international standard. The lyrics are aggressive and obsessive bringing out the protagonist’s viewpoint about the society in an effective manner. The composition is catchy with the phrase ‘Sadda Haq Ithhe Rakh’ creating a stunning impact. A sure shot chartbuster.

‘Tum Ho’ which is the last original song of the album is a slow paced romantic song sung by Mohit Chauhan with able support by Suzanne D’Mello in the background. It acts like a slow poison and will be liked after repeated hearings. It reminds me of another Mohit Chauhan’s song ‘Tum Se Hi’ from the movie Jab We Met as it also had a same feel and setting. But this one’s a notch above from that thanks to the maestro A R Rahman.

After 11 outstanding songs of varied genres come two instrumentals and one dialogue piece of Ranbir Kapoor. ‘Tango for Taj’ instrumental is an amalgamation of eastern and western music with a mix of instruments like accordion and piano with clap beats creating a festival like mood. Next is ‘The Dichotomy of Fame’ instrumental which amalgamates the shining notes of Shahnai with that of sitar and guitar. It creates a wedding like atmosphere and is really pleasant to the ears. It will come at a very crucial point in the film and will bring together Late Shri Shammi Kapoor with his grandson Ranbir Kapoor for the first and last time on the silver screen. We can witness the talent of Shammi Kapoor playing the Shahnai himself in the film. The last one ‘The Meeting Place’ is a short musical piece with a dialogue of Ranbir Kapoor which he delivers in a convincing way.

After a good but inconsistent album Raavan and above average Jhootha Hi Sahi by A R Rahman’s standard, he strikes back with a bang with Rockstar which will be considered among one his best works. The album is an outstanding mix of Sufi, Eastern and Rock music which will be patronized by all music lovers the world over. Irshad Kamil after making an impact in Love Aaj Kal and and Mausam gives his best this time showing his knowledge and versatility as a lyricist. Special mention goes for Mohit Chauhan who is the soul of the album as he sings varied genre of songs in different styles and tones and have excelled in each and every song. All other singers also have performed exceedingly well. Rockstar is an another milestone in the exceptional career of the maestro A R Rahman which again proves the fact that he is still the best music composer of India. Don’t miss this gem!

My Picks: Jo Bhi Main, Katiya Karoon, Kun Faaya Kun, Hawaa Hawaa, Aur Ho, Nadaan Parinday, Tum Ko, Sadda Haq.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Music Review Of Ra One

Directed by: Anubhav Sinha

 

Produced by: Gauri Khan

Starring: Shahrukh Khan
                Kareena Kapoor
                Arjun Rampal
                Shahana Goswami

 Music by: Vishal-Shekhar

 Lyrics: Kumar, Anvita Dutt, Vishal Dadlani, Niranjan Iyengar

 Distributed by: Eros International Ltd.
                           Red Chillies Entertainment

 Release date(s) October 26, 2011

Ra One is Sci-Fi movie starring Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Shahana Goswami in the lead roles. Directed by Anubhav Sinha who have earlier directed successful films like ‘Tum Bin’ , ‘Dus’ and the not so successful ‘Cash’, it has been produced under the banner of Red Chillies Entertainment. Music is composed by Vishal-Shekhar who are synonymous with quality music and fresh sound and the lyrics have been written by Kumar, Anvita Dutt, Vishal Dadlani and Niranjan Iyengar. Expectations are humungous as it is the most anticipated movie of the year and the names attached to it have always guaranteed good music. Let’s analyse it in detail.

The album starts with the ultimate item song of the year ‘Chammak Challo’ sung by international pop star Akon who is a global phenomenon. He has sung it in Hindi which shows his dedication as an artist and that shows in his singing and pronunciation. Hamsika Iyer has sung the female part with absolute finesse with a good command over Tamil language. The song has an international feel in terms of its setting yet it has a desi flavor thanks to the lyrics which are massy and catchy. The Congo is used very effectively giving it an African touch and the Tamil lyrics provide it a south Indian flavor. This will surely become a rage in the coming days. ‘Chammak Challo’ comes with another 4 versions which are different types of remixes like Punjabi Mix, Club Mix, International Version and Remix. All the versions are outstanding.

Next is ‘Dildaara’ which is out an out romantic track with a great melody which instantly hooks on to you. Sung by Shafqat Amanat Ali to perfection, his voice works wonders with such a melodious song. As soon as he hits the first note, it touches the heart. The song starts off with some English lyrics with a phrase ‘Stand by Me’ being the punch. Backing vocals have been given by Vishal-Shekhar. In the interlude, Vishal sings some sargams which are truly exceptional. This is the best song of the year.

Then comes yet another cracker of a song ‘Criminal’ sung by Akon, Vishal Dadlani and Shruti Pathak. The English lyrics are sung by Akon and the Hindi parts by Vishal Dadlani and Shruti Pathak. All of them have done a fantastic job and have sung it with extra zing. It is a fast paced dance track with catchy phrases like ‘dhinna dhinna’ appearing frequently. The song starts off with a siren and then comes the techno beats accompanied by Dhol beats giving it a unique feel. Lyrics are pep and as per the requirement of this kind of track. Yet another winner in the album. It also comes in a Club Remix version with added beats which will be played in clubs for a long time.

After this the album takes a U-Turn and comes a semi-classical song ‘Bhare Naina’ sung by Nandini Shrikar who renders it so beautifully that you can actually feel the emotions that the character have been going through at that point. The song starts off with tabla beats and the ethereal yet rustic voice of Nandini Shrikar singing in a conventional classical manner but the song changes path as the phrase ‘Bhare Naina’ comes. It turns in a western-classical fusion with huge orchestration coming in place. Lyrics are like gems complementing the exceptional composition of Vishal-Shekhar which sounds truly divine.

Vishal-Shekhar then returns to their signature youthful and peppy style with ‘Right by Your Side’ which is a quintessential urban song with a mix of English and Hindi lyrics. Sung by ‘Siddharth Coutto’ sounding very similar to Vishal Dadlani, he does good a job and sings it with attitude. The instruments mainly used here are guitar and synthesizer. It appears a little weak in front of other brilliantly composed tracks but otherwise it’s a decent listen.

The album again reaches its high with the arrival of ‘Raftaarein’ which is a tribute to the great musical legend ‘Late R.D Burman’ having a rock attitude and a 70’s feel to it in the way it is composed. It starts with the signature tune of the movie and is sung by Vishal-Shekhar in R.D Burman style with a crackling voice making it a nostalgic experience. It perfectly suits the genre of this film and will come at a crucial point in the film’s narrative. A rocking tribute!

With Sukhwinder Singh coming behind the mike, one can be assured that it will be a classy song. Titled ‘Jiya Mora Ghabraye (The Chase)’ it is a fusion of western rock beats and the classical style singing of Sukhwinder Singh. The end product is a stunning musical piece which is sure to create ripples once its video hits the screens. Backing vocals have been provided by Vishal Dadlani.  The Usp of this song is the singing of Sukhwinder Singh who shows his command over classical singing and his voice sounds as powerful as a thunderstorm. 

After seven superb tracks comes three instrumental pieces: Comes the Light, I’m On and Song of the End.  The first two are lavish and grand in its setting with huge orchestration matching to the grandeur of the movie. The third one is melodious and slow paced. All the three will be used as a background score in the film enhancing its impact. 

The album consists of varied genres of songs and surpasses the gigantic expectations that we had from this score. Vishal- Shekhar has delivered their best soundtrack till date which is an experience in itself. It is grand in its truest term and has quality written all over it. The two tracks sung by Akon are true blue chartbusters and will be at the top the world over. Tracks like Dildaara and Bhare Naina are beautiful melodious that are sure to linger in listeners mind for a lifetime. Special mention for ‘Jiya Mora Ghabraye’ which is a best fusion track in a long time, will be lauded for its uniqueness and excellent singing by Sukhwinder Singh. All in all, it is one of the best Bollywood soundtracks of all time. Must Hear!

My Picks: Chammak Challo, Dildaara, Criminal, Bhare Naina, Jiya Mora Ghabraye.

Rating:4.5 Stars

Movie Review of Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar 

Produced by Aditya Chopra

 

Story by Ali Abbas Zafar

Starring Imran Khan
                Katrina Kaif
                 Ali Zafar

 

Music by Sohail Sen

 Cinematography Sudeep Chatterjee

 

Editing by Ritesh Soni 

Distributed by Yash Raj Films

 Release date(s) September 9, 2011

Mere Brother Ki Dulhan marks the directorial and writing debut of Ali Abbas Zafar who had earlier worked with Yash Raj Films as an assistant director in films like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Tashan, New York and Badmaash Company. This film is a romantic comedy starring Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif and Ali Zafar in lead roles. Music is composed by Sohail Sen who has given a chartbuster soundtrack. These days, everyone is attempting to make a rom-com thinking that it is an easy way to attract youngsters towards cinema halls. But to make a compelling film in this genre is indeed an uphill task. As it comes from the stable of Yash Raj Films who have a brilliant track record in this genre, the expectations from this film are high. Let’s see if it can match our expectations.

In the first sequence itself, director Ali Abbas Zafar sets the tone of his film which is high on entertainment sans any mellow drama. Director’s main intention seems to tell a story in a light-hearted manner which is entertaining and honest. It’s a story of a younger brother Kush (Imran Khan) trying to find out a suitable bride for his elder brother Luv (Ali Zafar) , an NRI living in London. Kush finds the “Dulhan” in Dimple (Katrina Kaif) but eventually he himself falls in love with her.  The story is quite simple and predictable but the execution of the subject and the treatment given to the film which is youthful and fresh makes it an endearing watch. The credit for this goes to the director who in his debut film has shown a spark and has handled the comic portions like a pro. 

The first half of the film is truly captivating as it introduces Katrina Kaif in a rockstar avatar which is a refreshing change from her earlier films. The screenplay somehow dips at some places in the second half but is saved by a brilliant performance by Ali Zafar who with his impeccable comic timing elevates the film. Cinematography is by Sudeep Chatterjee, who had received a Filmfare Award in the year 2008 for his outstanding work in the movie Chak De India. The movie has been mainly shot in Delhi and Agra in a very realistic way. The beauty of Taj Mahal of Agra and the crowded streets of Delhi have been captured interestingly.  Editing by Ritesh Soni is crisp in the first half but could have been a little better in the second half. Music composed by Sohail Sen is a complete package with some peppy songs such as ‘Dhunki’ and ‘Choomantar’, the melodious ‘Isq Risk’ and the massy ‘Madhubala’ and ‘Do Dhaari Talwar’. All the songs are well shot and choreographed especially ‘Dhunki’ and ‘Do Dhaari Talwar’ which are sure to grab many eyeballs. The songs are placed it such a way that they never become hindrance in the narrative. 

As far as the performances are concerned, all three of them have pitched in superlative performances. Katrina Kaif as a rebellious rockstar gives her best performance till date and should further do such type of roles. She’s electrifying in the first half and performs like a pro. Imran Khan as the sweet and adorable boy is very good in comic scenes and his chemistry with Katrina Kaif is fantastic. Ali Zafar who showed promise in his debut film ‘Tere Bin Laden’ continues to amaze us with his powerhouse performance and charming personality. The ex-girlfriend of Ali Zafar played by Tara D’Souza is also very good. Rest of the supporting cast is competent.

It’s a light hearted romantic comedy that will be instantly liked by family audiences for its honesty, comic moments and excellent performances by the lead cast. Director Ali Abbas Zafar deserves a pat on his back for making a refreshing, fun-filled film with a perfect cast that will definitely work at the box-office. 

Rating:4 Stars

Music Review Of Damadamm

Directed by: Swapna Waghmare 

Produced by 'HR Musik' 

Written by: Subrat Sinha 

Starring: Himesh Reshammiya
                 Sonal Sehgal
                 Purbi Joshi

 

Music by: Himesh Reshammiya
                   Sachin Gupta

 

Lyrics: Sameer, Himesh Reshammiya, Shabbir Ahmed

Cinematography: Oystein Lundstorm 

 

Audio On: T-Series
                    HR Musik 

      

Release date(s): 27 October 2011

No. Of Tracks: 15

Damadamm is a Bollywood Comedy Movie starring Himesh Reshammiya, Sonal Sehgal and Purbi Joshi in the lead. Music of this movie is composed by Himesh himself with a promotional song composed by Sachin Gupta. Lyrics are written by Sameer, Himesh and Shabbir Ahmed. Album consists of 10 original tracks and 5 remixes. So there are lots of options to choose from and it will be a complete package.

The first one is the title track ‘Damadamm’ which is composed in a Qawalli style with sargams woven in-between.  Sung by Himesh along with a whole lot of newcomers such as Vineet Singh, Alam Gir Khan, Shabaab Sabri, Punnu Brar, Palak Mucchal, Sabina Sheikh and Rubina Sheikh, it has tremendous repeat value and all the singers have done a great job. Lyrics are rhyming and go well with the mood of the song. Arrangement is totally Indian as there is extensive use of Indian instruments like Harmonium, Tabla and Dholak. 

Next comes ‘Umrao Jaan’ sung by Himesh and Purbi Joshi is a medium paced song and is quite similar to the first song in terms of its musical arrangements. It starts off with the dialogue ‘No Touching, Only seeing’ sung by Purbi Joshi in Chinese style which sounds really funny. Himesh’s nasal touch which is quite evident in this song makes it even more appealing and ups the fun quotient. Lyrics in the Antaras are innovative and suit the comedy genre of this film. 

The third track ‘Aaja Ve’ starts with synthesized beats and soon the vocals of Himesh Reshammiya captures the listeners mind. It’s a love song and the composition hooks on to the ears in the first listen itself. There is minimal use of instruments as the focus is mainly on vocals which create a stunning impact. 

Then comes ‘Madhushala’ which seems like a sure-shot chartbuster again sung by the multi-talented Himesh Reshammiya with Aditi Singh Sharma who is becoming quite popular nowadays thanks to her unique tonal quality. The song starts in a Qawalli style with medium paced beats and has a old world charm to it. But soon it changes track in the mukhda itself with raging beats supporting the phrase ‘Madhushala’ which makes it more catchy and spicy. In the singing department, both the singers have shown their versatility and have sung this in a unique style. This track is one of the highlights of the album and will surely generate curiosity when aired on televisions.

The fifth track ‘Yun Toh Mera Dil’ is a sweet romantic song which is easy on the ears sung by Himesh Reshammiya and Sadhna Sargam with delectable ease. This is a kind of song that will help the film’s narrative in moving forward and will enhance its impact. There is a good use Guitar in the background which provides it an urbane feel.

Next is ‘Hum Tum’ which is a hardcore romantic song and would have been grabbed by Yash Raj Films if given a chance. The Alaaps in the starting and interlude by Vaishali Madhe, winner of ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ are beautiful and soothing. Himesh has sung it with passion and emotion and the composition is mesmerizing. Lyrics are of high quality beautifully depicting the emotions of the characters. Use of instruments is kept minimal which works in its favor.

The seventh track ‘Tere Bina’ falls under the category of sad songs depicting the helplessness of the lead protagonist and the pain of separation. Both the lyrics and composition succeeds in creating a song which has depth, pain, melody and that timeless quality. Himesh Reshammiya has sung it brilliantly and that can be heard in his emotion filled voice. Guitar strumming in the start is awesome. Personally, this is my favorite song of this album.

Next is a soft rock song ‘I Need My Space’ which is experimental in the composition and singing style. Himesh has very well modulated his voice to sound like a rockstar and the phrase ‘I Need My Space’ has been sung with attitude and zing. There is extensive use of Drums and Guitar creating an overall rocking impact. 

Then comes ‘Mango’ and as the name suggests, it is a mixture of sweetness and tanginess. Here, the lyrics are innovative and imaginative and the composition flows like water. The song starts off with an announcement in the voice of Aditi Singh Sharma and then comes the voice of Himesh Reshammiya who again impresses with his singing. The phrase ‘Mango’ sung by Aditi in different styles in the interlude portions is amazing and enhances the overall impact of the song.

After nine tracks composed and sung by Himesh Reshammiya comes a promotional song ‘Bhool Jaaun’ composed by Sachin Jigar which is sung by him and Himesh both. Frankly speaking, after hearing a variety of good songs belonging to different genres, this song appears a little weak in comparison of other tracks. Otherwise it’s a decent song. 

There are five remixes of the songs namely Damadamm, Umrao Jaan, Aaja Ve and Madhushala which has two remix versions. The remixes which stand out are ‘Aaja Ve’ (Remix) and ‘Madhushala’ (Remix) which are innovative in approach and enhances the impact of the songs. In fact, the ‘Madhushala’ (Remix) is better than the original with added Dhol beats adding to its Grandeur.

After so many tracks, one comes to the conclusion that Damadamm is indeed a great album with potential chartbusters in the form of ‘Umrao Jaan’, ‘Damadamm’ and ‘Madhushala’. There are also songs such as ‘Tere Bina’, ‘Hum Tum’, and Aaja Ve ’and ‘Yun Toh Mera Dil’ which will be loved by those who are pleased by melodious music. This comprehensive album packs in everything which will be lauded by different sections of audience for its melody and innovativeness. Himesh Reshammiya is in top form here both as a composer and singer. In fact, he has also contributed towards the lyrics which are imaginative and fresh. Kudos to him for such a dedicated piece of work. This one is amongst his best works till date. Highly Recommended!

My Picks: Damadamm, Yun Toh Mera Dil, Aaja Ve, Hum Tum, Madhushala (Remix and Original), Tere Bina, Mango

Rating:4.25 Stars

  

Bodyguard Movie Review

Directed by: Siddique

 

Produced by:Atul Agnihotri

                        Alvira Agnihotri

                       Reliance Entertainment

 

Screenplay by: Siddique 

Story by: Siddique 

Starring: Salman Khan

                Kareena Kapoor

                Raj Babbar

                Hazel Keech

                Mahesh Manjrekar

 

Music by: Songs: Himesh Reshammiya

                                Pritam

                          
Background Score: Sandeep Shirodkar

Cinematography: Sejal Shah

 Editing by: Sanjay Sankla 

Distributed by: Reliance Entertainment

                             Reel Life Production Pvt. Ltd. Release date(s) August 31, 2011

Bodyguard is the third remake of the director’s own 2010 Malayalam film of the same name. This film is directed by Siddique and produced by Atul agnihotri featuring Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead.  The film is a love story of a bodyguard named Lovely Singh who is fully dedicated to his duties and is on a mission to save Divvya’s life. Divvya falls in love with her bodyguard Lovely Singh and then starts the problems. There is a twist in the end which will surely grab everyone’s attention. 

Director Siddique who has made it third time knows the intricacies of the script and shows his experience in this particular script. The characters of Lovely Singh and Divvya are well etched out while the character of Divvya’s friend (Hazel Keech) needed a little bit more attention. The other supporting characters such as Sartaj Rana, Father of Divvya played by Raj Babbar and the Villain played by Mahesh Manjrekar are well written. 

The story and the screenplay written by Siddique himself complement each other. The story has all the ingredients to make it work at the box-office and strike a chord with the Family audience. It has action, emotions, drama, romance and all that which makes it an absolute entertainer. Screenplay in the first half falters at some places but post intermission; it is water tight and leaves no scope for correction.

Special mention goes for the character of Tsunami played by Rajat rawail which provides a comic relief in this action packed extravaganza and brings the house down with his comic timing especially in the first half an hour. 

In the technical department, the film scores brownie points as the action scenes by Vijayan Master which are the highlights of this movie are stunning to say the least. The action scenes in the last reels are breathtaking. Equally stunning is the cinematography by Sejal Shah as it captures the beauty of Divvya’s character as well as the innocence of Lovely Singh with aplomb. Background score by Sandeep Shirodkar is bombastic and elevates the action sequences.  Editing by Sanjay Sankla is good but could have been tighter in the first half.

Music by Himesh Reshammiya is a booster especially the song ‘Teri Meri’  which is melodious to the core and is also very well shot and choreographed. Guest composer Pritam has composed one song ‘I love you’ which is tuneful.  All the songs are very well picturized and the credit goes to the choreographers such as Ganesh Aacharya, Vaibhavi Merchant and Vishnudeva for providing innovative dance steps and cinematographer for shooting it beautifully.

Now coming to the performances, what can one say about Salman Khan? He is a Phenomenon among the masses, always ‘Ready’ to entertain the audience, nowadays ‘Wanted’ by every producer because of his ‘Dabangg’ performance at the box-office. In this film, he stays in his character throughout and displays his emotional side which was somewhere lost in his larger than life antics. The innocence of the character Lovely Singh can be seen on his face which speaks volumes about his performance. Kareena Kapoor played the character of Divvya with much poise and dignity as was needed. She displayed maturity in the emotional sequences and peppiness in the first half. The chemistry between the lead protagonists is electrifying. The other supporting cast does a fairly good job. Guest appearance by Aaditya Pancholi as the antagonist is okay. 

All in all, Bodyguard is a complete family entertainer and will surely be loved by all especially Salman Khan Fans who will cherish it for a lifetime. Director Siddique has made an audience friendly film which will surely get him various bollywood offers. The chemistry between Salman and Kareena and the Action sequences will remain the highlights of this enterprise. It will surely create ripples at the box-office and will enjoy a long run.

Rating: 4 stars

Music review of love breakups zindagi

  Director:    Sahil Sangha     

   Cast:   Zayed Khan, Dia Mirza, Cyrus Sahukar & Tisca Chopra   Music Director:   Salim-Sulaiman                                         Lyricist:   Javed Akhtar               

Love breakups zindagi is an upcoming bollywood romantic comedy which offers a slice of life. Writeen and directed by debutant sahil sangha and produced under the banner of sahara motion pictures, it’s an urban youth film depicting the love lives of a bunch of youngsters. It stars zayed khan, dia mirza, cyrus sahukar and tisca chopra in the lead roles. Music is composed by the talented duo salim-sulaiman who rarely fail to impress with their fresh and peppy soundtracks and lyrics are by the lyrical genius Javed akhtar. The album consists of 4 original songs and one remix and one looks forward to such soundtrack.

The first tracks starts off with a guitar and soon the vocals of salim takes over this youthful song ‘Rozana’ which is philosophical lyrics wise as it depicts the day-to-day proceedings of life and nature in a positive light. The use of accordion in the interlude provides this track a nostalgic touch of the era gone by and singing by salim is full of life and his voice quality  perfectly suits the song. Indeed a good start to the album.

The next track ‘Rab rakha’ sung by versatile singers sonu nigam and shreys ghoshal is a romantic song which suits to the cosy moments of a wedding as shown in the promos. Backing vocals are given by salim and shraddha pandit which are very effective and adds to it’s grandeur. Lyrics are soulful to say the least and the phrase rab raakha is mesmerizing. Sonu nigam has shown his classical side in this song as he sings the intricate portions with much ease and conviction. Shreya ghoshal as usual fills the song with her saccharine like voice. The instruments her are mainly Indian which makes it even more authentic. There is a small portion in the song in which shradha pandit takes centrestage and creates a strong impct with her powerful vocals. Certainly the best song of this album.

Next arrives another peppy song ‘Love love’ sung by the effervescent Benny dayal who has become a favourite with young music composers. He has done a fairly good job. Female counterpart is Shraddha pandit who surprises with her mellow voice especially at places when there are low notes. Lyrics are imaginative and the song oozes freshness. This songs reminds me of the song ‘janne kyun’ from dostana as it had the similar kind of feel and setting. Nevertheless, it’ a good attempt at recreating such songs in a better way.

Till now the album is going pretty smooth and is maintaining it’s quality. The last track ‘Chhayee hai tanhayee’ and as the name suggests, it has a sad feeling attched with this. It is sung by the extremely talented and gifted sufi singer Shafqat amanat ali which once again provides the song another dimension and takes it to an altogether higher level. Shruti pathak famous for her rendition in the song ‘marjawaan’ from the movie fashion is also heard in this song adding to it’s depth. Salim has given the backing vocals which are alright. Lyrics are excellent and strikes an emotional chord with the listeners. The use of harmonium in the interlude adds to it’s mystical touch. At par with the best song of this album ‘rab raakha’. Wish it could be much longer than it’s duration which is only 3.25 minutes. 

The last track is the remix of the first track ‘Rozana’ and starts off with thumping beats which are innovative and makes it a dance track. The echo effects enhances the vocals of Salim and added beats spruce up the proceedings. It will be instantly grabbed up by the discos and pubs.

On the whole, Love breakups zindagi packs a solid punch and maintains it’s quality throughout. It is peppy, classy and soulful all at the same time and deserves to be lauded for it’s freshness and innovativeness.  The soundtrack will help the film’s narrative in striking a chord with both the youth and families. Recommended!

My picks: Rab Raakha, Chaayee hai tanhayee, Rozana

Rating: 3.5 stars