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Paan Singh Tomar Movie Review

Paan Singh Tomar is an Indian Biopic based on the true story of an athlete ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ employed by the Indian Army who went on become a National Steeplechase champion, but later on was forced to become a notorious bandit. Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia who made his debut with ‘Haasil’, a political drama which won him immense critical acclaim, this time he goes a notch above it and delivers his career best work. Irrfan Khan essays the role of Paan Singh Tomar while Mahi Gill plays the role of his wife.

The film is about a man from Chambal village who joins Indian Army but soon is sent to participate in Indian National Games due to his great athletic skills. Though not interested in sports, he joins the sports division to curb his hunger as there were no limits on their diet. Soon he becomes a National Steeplechase champion and wins the gold medal for 7 years in a row. In 1962 and 1965 wars, he was not allowed to go as sportsmen were not allowed to fight in war which makes him frustrated. On the other side, a problem of illegal acquisition of land by Bhanwar Singh, his relative arises .Paan Singh retires from army to settle issues amicably but Bhanwar Singh attacks his family. Paan Singh then goes to the police to seek their help but no one comes to his rescue forcing him to turn into a rebel.

The Film captures the journey of Paan Singh from 1950’s to 1981 till he is shot dead in Police firing. Tigmanshu Dhulia shows his expertise by making a biopic so real and authentic that it makes the audiences marvel at his genius. From the locations in the villages creating an era of 1950’s to the local language and costumes, everything is perfect. A lot of research and detailing has been gone into making this film which clearly shows on screen.  He has also written the script himself which is hard hitting and attention grabbing to say the least. He has shown the major events and occurrences in the life of Paan Singh Tomar in a very interesting yet realistic manner. Never does the drama go overboard in any scene. The dialogues ranges from quirky and witty to emotional and hard hitting and the use of pure authentic ‘Bheehad’ language makes it more compelling and impactful. The Cinematography by Aseem Mishra is eye grabbing gloriously capturing the racing events in the first half and ravines of Chambal in the second half. Editing by Aarti Bajaj is very crisp holding together the entire film in a brilliant way. Background score by Sandeep Chowta is apt enhancing the overall impact.

After delivering outstanding performances in films like ‘Haasil’ and ‘Life in a Metro’, Irrfan takes on a most challenging role and delivers his career best performance. He is so aptly cast in this role that you cannot think of any other actor who could have performed it so perfectly. He is the soul of the movie literally.  Be it his impeccable delivery of quirky one liner or displaying a lifetime of emotions through his eyes, he is bang on and excels in each and every scene.  He races like a true athlete. This performance of his is among the finest performances of Indian Cinema. He truly deserves to win Filmfare and National Awards next year. Mahie Gill as his uneducated but brave wife is incredible and adapts to her character so realistically or should I say ‘rustically’ that it helps to elevate the scenes in which she appears. Her chemistry with Irrfan is electrifying. Brijindra Kala is effective as news reporter and evokes laughter in some scenes. All the other cast does a tremendous job and everyone looks their part.

On the whole, Paan Singh Tomar is a hard hitting and riveting biopic from the maverick filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia which motivates and inspires the audiences to respect athletes and should give a jolt to the Indian Government who should now take special care of them after watching this. This is the most authentic biopic made in Bollywood till date. Highly Recommended!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Kahaani Movie Review

Kahaani is a Bollywood Thriller Film Directed by Sujoy Ghosh who had earlier directed films like Jhankaar Beats, Home Delivery and Aladdin. Barring Jhankaar Beats, the other two have been box-office duds. With this film,he makes his foray into the thriller genre and makes a stunning comeback. Starring Vidya Balan in a role of a pregnant women searching for her missing husband in Kolkata, the film boasts of a great storyline and have been executed brilliantly.

The story begins with software engineer Vidya Bagchi (Vidya Balan), a seven months pregnant woman arriving in Kolkata from London, days before the Durga Puja. She is in search for her software engineer husband, Arnab Bagchi, who came to Kolkata with an assignment but suddenly gone missing. As she starts searching for her husband with help from the rookie cop Satyaki/Rana (Parambrata Chatterjee), she soon realizes that it wouldn't be easy. Arnab Bagchi just vanished in thin air, without any trace. To the city, her husband never existed. With extreme reserves of determination and resolve, Vidya Bagchi starts her own search through a cobweb of mysteries. 

The strongest point of this film is it’s story which is written by Sujoy Ghosh and Advaita Kala which is so intelligent and comprehensive that it makes the audiences sit up and admire the talent behind it.

The Screenplay by Sujoy Ghosh, Suresh Nair and Nikhil Vyas  is arresting and captivating as it doesn’t allows the viewer to take a breath. From the first scene to the last, the audience remains glued to the seats and the high suspense quotient makes it an edge of the seat thriller. But at the core, it is more than just a thriller as it deals beautifully with human emotions.  Cinematography by Setu is splendid as he captures the bylanes of Kolkata so realistically that it makes the film look all the more authentic. The crowded streets and the famous Durga Pooja Festival are all beautifully captured. Kolkata never looked so sexy. Editing by Namrata Rao is water tight binding the viewers for two hours. The Pace of the film is uniform throughout giving little bit clues in between leading to a spellbinding climax. I don’t remember when it was the last time when I was so thrilled and amazed by the climax of any movie.

Direction by Sujoy Ghosh is excellent and flawless. The film is for the intelligent and thinking audience and all credit goes to him. He doesn’t let go off even for a moment and has taken care of even the minutest detail. He is a master storyteller and shows his craft in this film which is his best work . Music by Vishal –Shekhar is awesome and provides a flavor of Kolkata. Although in the movie,there are only two songs ‘Aami Shotti Bolchi’ and ‘Ekla Chalo Re’, the soundtrack contains 3 more songs and all of them are soulful. Background Score by Clinton Cerejo is exceptional and heightens the impact of the tense moments and also increases the chill factor.

Now coming to the performances, Vidya Balan is the lifeline of the film. She sparkles the screen throughout and plays the role of a pregnant women with such perfection which no other actress can match. Her interactions with police inspector Rana/Satyuki played by Parambrata Chatterjee are excellent. The expressions of grief, eagerness and despair are well reflected through her performance. She emotes more from her eyes and her dialogue delivery is impeccable. Expect another National Award for the talented actress. Parambrata Chatterjee as Rana is a natural and restrained.  His character evokes sympathy from the audiences. Bob Biswas played by Saswata Chatterjee is chilling and interesting. His Character evokes dark humour. Nawazuddin Shah as Khan, a ruthless IB Officer is apt and does a fine job. All the other supporting cast have done a good job.

Kahaani is a perfect example of a thriller with an emotional layer with a brilliant story, skilful direction, awesome performances, haunting music and a nail biting climax. The film is flawless in all respects and is a landmark film in Bollywood. A Masterpiece!

Rating:5 Stars

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