Saturday, October 30, 2010

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Abhishek Bachchan , Deepika Padukone

There are good expectations from the music of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. After all Ashutosh Gowariker has been an accomplished film maker and when it comes to films that bring with them a sense of patriotism (Lagaan, Swades), the music has always been a highlight. He may have moved on from A.R. Rahman to Sohail Sen but the latter's compositions in What's Your Raashee? had proved that the replacement was not a bad idea at all. Now that Ashu has entrusted Sohail to create a much bigger (and relatively serious) soundtrack in the form of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, one hears the album with keen interest to know if the man manages to deliver.

First things first - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey takes time to sink in. Music here is not bad by any means but it is not instant coffee that hooks on to audience in the very first listening. In fact one has to give the album a hearing - once, twice, thrice - and it is only then that the songs start registering themselves. This is what is evidenced in 'Yeh Des Hai Mera' which reminds one of the namesake tracks in Swades. However, the mood, treatment and setting of the song is totally different here as the revolutionaries get together to see that light at the end of the tunnel. Sung by Sohail Sen himself, this soft sounding number has a distinct Rahman touch to it and gives the album an expected start.

There is some fun immediately after with 'Naiyn Tere' following the same route as SD Burman's 'Dheere Se Jaana Bagiyan Mein'. This one is far peppier though and has a sweet innocent feel to it that makes you fall in love with it instantly. In the times when beats have taken over the proceedings, the world is dancing to the tune of 'Munni Badnaam' and rock is becoming an integral part of Bollywood compositions, 'Naiyan Tere' is like a whiff of fresh air. Credit must also go to Pamela Jain and Ranjini Jose who get the flavour of the first half of 20th century bang on and remind one of the eras gone by. 'Sad version' of the same song also arrives later in the album. This time around, the song is mainly hummed with instrumentals and chorus adding on the appeal.

What one was waiting for till now was an anthem song though and one finally gets to hear it in the form of the title song 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey'. Taking one back to the days of Lagaan, this anthem track comes with just the right kind of energy, pace, exuberance and styling that establishes loud and clear that one would hear this piece multiple times in the film's narrative. Following Rahman approach, right from the manner in which it is tuned to orchestrated, 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' - which is a kids chorus sung quite effectively by members of Suresh Wadkar Ajivasan Music Academy - should find audience for itself.

If you liked 'Naiyan Tere', rest assured you would play on 'Sapne Saloney' repeatedly as well. A love song about the protagonist promising his beloved all the dreams to eventually come true, provided he first attains what he has set out for in life, 'Sapne Saloney' has a serene appeal to it with no Western adulteration whatsoever. While Javed Akhtar's lyrics here are simple and effective, singing by Sohail Sen and Pamela Jain is heartfelt as well that makes it the kind of number which fits in perfectly well with the setting of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.

If you have caught the promo of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, you would have heard the 'Vande Mataram' piece that goes in the background. Full fledged version of this song is heard here with the words being translated from Sanskrit to Hindi. Cine Singers Association Chorus Group delivers quite well in this high energy track that should add on to the momentum that visuals are expected to create in this action-drama affair. A much shorter version of 'Vande Mataram' appears later in the album with just strings doing a good enough job to keep the composition flowing.

From this point on, the album is entirely made of instrumental tracks which have mainly been set for different moods in the film. 'Long Live Chittagong' carries the exuberance of Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey with a feel good factor to it that enlivens the proceedings. The longest of them all is 'The Teenagers Whistle' which again picks up from the title track Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey and makes one suspect if the sound of whistle would be a code call for the teenage revolutionaries in the film.

A pensive mood is created soon after with 'Surjya's Sorrow' and the way Sohail Sen brings flute, strings and chorus together, it does manage to make an impact. There is an instant shift in mood soon after with 'The Escape', as is expected from the theme, picking on pace and moving ahead quite rapidly. Last to arrive is 'Revolutionary Comrades' which starts off on a slow note with the sound of 'Yeh Des Hai Mera', continues to gain momentum and turn ferocious in his last one minute. Expect some dramatic fireworks at the juncture in the narrative when it appears.

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a good quality album which, as stated above, needs multiple hearing from audience before it settles in entirely. An album like this is different from what is being churned out week after week and since it belongs to an era gone by, it further needs to gain a solid platform for itself before it consolidates its position. While majority of album is situational - whether songs or theme pieces - and does register an impact in each of the tracks, the ones that should find instant attention are the title track 'Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey' and 'Naiyn Tere'. Later, as the film manages a standing at the box office, 'Yeh Des Hai Mera' and 'Sapne Salone' could also find an audience building over in the long run.

Download Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey MP3 Songs
01 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Yeh Des Hai Mera@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Naiyn Tere@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Sapne Saloney Hai Sach@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Vande Mataram (Revised Sanskrit To Hindi)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Long Live Chittagong@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - The Teenagers Whistle@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Surjya's Sorrow@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Vande Mataram@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - The Escape@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Naiyn Tere (Sad)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Revolutionary Comrades (Soft)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com


01 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Yeh Des Hai Mera@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Naiyn Tere@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Sapne Saloney Hai Sach@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Vande Mataram (Revised Sanskrit To Hindi)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Long Live Chittagong@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - The Teenagers Whistle@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Surjya's Sorrow@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Vande Mataram@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - The Escape@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Naiyn Tere (Sad)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey - Revolutionary Comrades (Soft)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

Watch Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Videos


Friday, October 22, 2010

Jhootha Hi Sahi - Movie Review

Read more! Cast :: John Abraham, Pakhi, R Madhavan, Raghu Ram, Anaitha Nair, Manasi Scott

Every film should be judged purely on the basis of its merits/demerits. Comparisons or drawing parallels with another film, even if it's helmed by the same director, is not right, in my opinion. But if the posters/billboards/newspaper ads/promotional material of JHOOTHA HI SAHI has an eye-catching line that screams 'From the director of JAANE TU YA JAANE NA', if not comparisons, the expectations from JHOOTHA HI SAHI do multiply five-fold, since JAANE TU YA JAANE NA was, in terms of economics, the biggest hit of 2008.

Sadly, Abbas Tyrewala's new offering JHOOTHA HI SAHI falls flat for this reason [it doesn't meet the expectations] as well as several other reasons. What comes across is unexciting, boring and lethargic. Moments make a love story work and JHOOTHA HI SAHI never reaches there. It lacks the fizz and heart, to put it bluntly. Also, the chemistry between the lead pair - John Abraham and Pakhi - is plastic.

Another department where the film fumbles, besides writing, is its music. It's an unspoken rule that love stories should be embellished with terrific music, but maestro A.R. Rahman's compositions in JHOOTHA HI SAHI are lifeless.

When Siddharth [John Abraham] wakes up one night to a call from a desperate man threatening to jump out of the window, he isn't prepared for what lies ahead. A mixed-up phone number. A desi suicide helpline in London. And various callers demanding that Sid give them a reason to live. Or else... Until one fateful night, Mishka [Pakhi] calls. And they both discover an unlikely bond.

Sid becomes her nameless friend. Her faceless philosopher. And she becomes his reason to rethink about life. Along the way, he also lies to her. Lies about his exciting adventures and daring escapades. The mountains he has climbed and the sharks he has tamed. Until the day they accidentally meet. And Sid falls in love.

How can he tell her the truth? That he's just a simple bookseller? With four friends, a small apartment and a girlfriend whom no one likes and he doesn't love.

The first and foremost thing that you expect from a film is an engrossing story and of course, a cohesive screenplay that keeps your attention alive for the next two hours. But the screenplay [Pakhi] is devoid of moments that bring a smile on your face at the end of the screening. Ideally, one would expect the focus to be on the principal pair, but the sub-plots [the friends and their sequences] dominate a good chunk of the film. And that, consequently, makes the film verbose, talk-heavy, tedious and verrry lengthy.

On retrospection, the female protagonist [Pakhi] comes across as a confused character, who finds stability in her life when John stages an entry, but goes back to her ex [Madhavan] for no particular reason. And the moment she does that, she drops John like a hot potato. That's not all, she, all of a sudden, dumps her ex too and goes back to John. Thanks to this reason, the character comes across as someone who's stone-hearted, cold and confused and that's also the reason why you don't jump with joy when the lovers unite towards the end.

Also, like I pointed out earlier, the multiple tracks in the film are a deterrent. The track of the gay couple is silly and unimaginative, while the relationship between the aggressive and dominating pregnant sister and her Japanese fiance is weird. Also, if the sensibilities of the film are Western and the humour British, the ending becomes Bollywoodish conveniently. The entire sequence at the bridge looks so filmy.

Director Abbas Tyrewala has filmed a number of sequences impeccably, but the writing is flaccid and the prime reason why the film fails to register an impact. Rahman's music is of the fast-forward variety and that's all the more surprising since the duo [Rahman and Tyrewala] had come up with a winning score in JAANE TU YA JAANE NA.

John makes a sincere attempt to look the part, but he's awkward, especially in sequences when he stammers. Pakhi is a complete miscast. She looks too matured and has her limitations as an actor. Amongst the sundry characters, Raghu Ram is noticeable. R. Madhavan should avoid such flimsy characters.

On the whole, JHOOTHA HI SAHI is an absolute letdown in terms of content. Given its high costs on one hand and weak merits on the other, the film will make a big hole in the pockets of its investors.


Download Jhootha Hi Sahi MP3 Songs
01 - JHS - Cry Cry@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - JHS - Maiya Yashoda (Jamuna Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - JHS - Hello Hello@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - JHS - Do Nishaaniyan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - JHS - Pam Para@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - JHS - I.ll Be Waiting@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - JHS - Maiya Yashoda (Thames Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - JHS - Do Nishaniyaan (Heartbreak Reprise)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - JHS - Call Me Dil@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - JHS - Cry Cry@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - JHS - Maiya Yashoda (Jamuna Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - JHS - Hello Hello@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - JHS - Do Nishaaniyan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - JHS - Pam Para@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - JHS - I.ll Be Waiting@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - JHS - Maiya Yashoda (Thames Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - JHS - Do Nishaniyaan (Heartbreak Reprise)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - JHS - Call Me Dil@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

Watch Jhootha Hi Sahi Videos



Friday, October 15, 2010

Break Ke Baad - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Imran Khan , Deepika Padukone

After a rather quiet 2009 that saw a sole album release for Vishal-Shekhar - Aladin - the composer duo is on a roll. They had a peppy outing in I Hate LUV Storys, gave to audience a quality wholesome score in Anjaana Anjaani and now are delivering music for yet another young romcom Break Ke Baad. With Vishal & Shekhar staying on to be the first choice for many a filmmakers when it comes to music for an outing seems to be designed on the lines of Hollywood romcoms, their coming into Break Ke Baad is not a surprise. What's surprising though is to see Prasoon Joshi on the credits as a lyricist with whom Vishal-Shekhar are working for the first time. However, since Prasoon has worked in last three films made by Kunal Kohli (Hum Tum, Fanaa, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic), it is understandable as well. One looks forward to check out what does this unique pairing has to offer in their first outing together.

Expect something unconventional, yet striking, in the opening track of the album - 'Adhoore'. This isn't a word which is common when it comes to Bollywood lyrics. Also, it has a hint of sadness to it due to the meaning that it carries. Still, Vishal-Shekhar do an amazing job in making a cracker of a track that gets on you in the very first listening. A contemporary urban track that is miles away from being a conventional 'lambi judaai' affair, 'Adhoore' works for its modern take on love. Add to this fact that Vishal Dadlani is quite effective behind the mike as well along with Alyssa Mendonca and you know that this song has in it to find a way up in the charts. The 'remix version' further ensures that club hoppers won't mind playing it on at top volume all over again.

Neeraj Sridhar is a regular with composer Pritam and has delivered a dozen odd chartbusters with him already. However, when it comes to Vishal-Shekhar, they have used him quite sparsely. This is the reason why when one sees them roping in Neeraj for 'Ajab Leher', one waits to check out what they really have to offer. First thing that they succeed in achieving is to make Neeraj sound different. Of course, his voice - as heard before in many a song - is quite pleasant but he goes ahead with a different take in this fun number where the protagonist seems to be having a good time talking about his 'padosan'. Shekhar Ravjiani, Vishal Dadlani and Rhys D'Souza play a supporting role as back up vocalists in this song which basically belongs to Neeraj. A sweet number with a simple tune to it which is pretty much akin to a nursery rhyme, 'Ajab Lehr' should look good on screen and take the narrative forward.

When you read the credit details, it is hard to decipher what exactly would the lyrics 'Dhoop Ke Makaan' actually convey. Coming from Prasoon Joshi, one can expect a poetic outing every now and then and it is no different in case of the number in question. Also, one can see a strong Gulzar influence here as well. Nevertheless, the song is pretty soothing on ears, whether it comes in its regular or 'acoustic' version. The way Shekhar Ravjiani goes on to sing this one, it is crystal clear that the composer was just hiding behind his talent as a singer for long. His voice has that intrinsic happy feel to it, something which was the hallmark of Udit Narayan, and this is what that makes even this supposedly sad track turn out to be pretty engaging. This song which also has Sunidhi Chauhan and Hitesh Sonik as the co-singers may not reach out amongst masses but for those who like their music to be soft and carry a quality feel to it (a la 'Kucch Kam' in Dostana), 'Dhoop Ke Makaan' is the one to be played on a repeat mode.

The album picks up pace with 'Dooriyan Hain Zaroori' which again has a sad meaning to it, reason being that it deals with the distance that comes in due to a break up. Still, all credit to the way it has been designed that one never feels dejected, let down or bored when this song plays. In fact this track that has been designed as soft rock has some very good arrangements coming into play that turn it into an out and out youthful urban affair that should work amongst the cosmopolitan crowds. Monica Dogra, a rock band member, is pretty effective in this well paced song with Vishal Dadlani ensuring that he justifies his own inclusion as a singer.

By this time around, it is apparent that Break Ke Baad is the most loaded Vishal-Shekhar album ever, reason being that they also appear as singers in almost all songs, barring one. This solitary song where they have entrusted another singer to totally drive the proceedings is 'Main Jiyoonga' which has now-getting-popular Nikhil D'Souza taking centre-stage. Though there are additional vocals by Mikey Mcclearyu and Gino Banks, it is Nikhil who seems to be having all the fun in this yet another soft rock track which deals with the aftermath of a break and looking forward in future. Any sadness here though? Naah!

The same arrives in English as well with Vishal Dadlani giving an altogether different impression of him as a singer here. While he has been doing his bit with vociferous songs like 'Dan Te Nan' [Kaminey] in the past, it is nice to see him going subdued, yet energetic, for this fun take on living life to the fullest. Of course a track like this does have a restricted audience for itself but in the context of the film, it should fit in pretty well.

Break Ke Baad is an unconventional album, especially when one looks at it from the Bollywood standpoint. Change is good and it is slowly but steadily, audience too are warming up to conventional sound. Rock On was a prime example of that, the music of which was dismissed by many in the first hearing. However, when compared to Rock On, Break Ke Baad still has some elements that augur well with the romcom affair. While this is a quality album for sure, what has to be seen is the way the songs are picturised, promoted and brought to audience. If the film is a success, the songs should only take further leaps amongst the target audience which basically comprises of urban youth who have a taste for modern sound.

Download Break Ke Baad MP3 Songs


Watch Break Ke Baad Videos


Aakrosh - Movie Review

Read more! Cast :: Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu, Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Amita Pathak, Raima Sen

Shameful as it may sound, honour killings still exist in many parts of the country. The misconception is honour killings are all about the murder of a female family member by one or more family members, since the perpetrators / wrongdoers believe that the victim has brought dishonor / disrepute upon the family by having a relationship with a man of different religion or social status or marrying against the parents' wishes.

The fact is men are also victims of this practice, especially when it affects the reputation of a particular caste and community. Many grooms have been killed by the father or brother of the bride and this is exactly what AAKROSH attempts to highlight.

Made with right intentions, AAKROSH enlightens you on the caste system which continues to be at its rigid best, with people from the rural areas refusing to change their attitude towards marriage. Having said that, I'd like to add that AAKROSH is strikingly similar to the Hollywood film MISSISSIPPI BURNING, which, reportedly, was loosely based on the FBI investigation into the real-life murders of three civil rights workers in Mississippi in 1964.

After attempting a series of some pleasant, some forgettable laughathons, ace director Priyadarshan embarks upon a hard-hitting drama that draws one's attention to a relevant issue in a non-compromising approach. But there's a flipside too: This one's a dark film. Also, a number of sequences in the narrative can make you uncomfortable [the brutal killings especially] and the spoken language, at places, is harsh, acidic and volatile.

Final word? A gripping fare.

AAKROSH revolves around a lower caste guy who, along with his two friends, goes to his hometown Jhanjhar. These three students go missing soon after. The government appoints CBI officers Siddhant [Akshaye Khanna] and Pratap [Ajay Devgn] to investigate the matter.

Investigating in Jhanjhar becomes a tough task for these officers as the local police [Paresh Rawal], with the help of local bigwigs, refuse to co-operate with the two officers. Besides, the officers cannot break the ice with the locals, due to years of fear instilled in them. The effect of their investigation causes mayhem in Jhanjhar, with the wrongdoers spreading terror and killing people in broad daylight.

There's no denying that Priyadarshan is a creative thinker with an amazing ability to handle comedy as well as intense drama. In AAKROSH, the director succeeds in giving an effectual and authentic look, but there's a problem: The unnecessary length, which dilutes the overall impact of the film. The first half is excessively lengthy and the second, though crisp, could've also done with trimming for a stronger impact.

A number of sequences hold your attention and I'd like to single out the penultimate 20 odd minutes, which leave a stunning impact. Also, the chase sequences - all of them - are executed with panache, especially the one when Ajay chases a key suspect on rooftops. But, like I pointed out earlier, a film like AAKROSH is dark and brutal and therefore, has its limitations. Also, the screenplay [Robin Bhatt, Akash Khurana] vacillates between engaging and not-too-engaging moments at times.

There's not much scope for music in the film and even otherwise, Pritam's score is bland. 'Issak Se Meetha', an item song filmed on Sameera Reddy, is strictly okay. Cinematography [Tirru S] is striking, while the sepia look gels well with the theme of the film. Dialogues [Aditya Dhar] are well-worded and powerful when required.

Ajay and Akshaye, known for intense acts, deliver bravura performances. Ajay pitches in a remarkable act, establishing himself as one of the iconic actors of the country. Akshaye is superb yet again and only someone who has complete understanding of the craft could've delivered such a fine performance.

Bipasha, who was seen in LAMHAA in a deglamorised role, has turned extremely sensitive and serious towards issue-based films. Though the length of her role isn't much, she sinks her teeth in the non-glam role and delivers a really fine performance. Paresh Rawal is menacing as the uncouth cop. In fact, this is amongst Paresh's best works. Reema Sen is excellent. Amita Pathak doesn't have much to do. Jaideep Ahlawat is good. Pankaj Tripathi is perfect. The remaining actors enact their parts well.

On the whole, AAKROSH is not the standard Bollywood fare with the usual song-and-comedy routine. This one strikes a punch. Being an issue-based cinema, it will magnetize the thinking viewer and the intelligentsia mainly. It should find more flavor with the North Indian audience.

Download Aakrosh MP3 Songs
01 - Isak Se Meetha@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Saude Bazi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Man Ki Mat@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Isak Se Meetha (Dhol Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Sasural Munia@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Ramkatha@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Isak Se Meetha (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Saude Bazi (Encore)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Isak Se Meetha@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Saude Bazi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Man Ki Mat@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Isak Se Meetha (Dhol Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Sasural Munia@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Ramkatha@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Isak Se Meetha (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Saude Bazi (Encore)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

Watch Aakrosh Videos



Knock Out - Movie Review

Read more! Cast :: Sanjay Dutt, Kangna Ranaut & Irfan Khan

Several factors compel you to ponder over your decision whether or not to watch KNOCK OUT...
  • There's talk that KNOCK OUT is a blatant copy of PHONE BOOTH. If you've watched the original, why watch its clone?
  • You rush to a nearby cineplex only if the film excites you and in this case, the buzz is missing.
  • Sanjay Dutt - the lead actor - hasn't been a part of a worthy film, post MUNNABHAI. That automatically robs the sheen from the film.
You can't turn a blind eye to the fact that KNOCK OUT borrows from PHONE BOOTH. Even otherwise, a man held hostage in a telephone booth by a sniper automatically compels you to think that PHONE BOOTH is the prime source of inspiration, but what follows after a point bears no resemblance to that film. In fact, KNOCK OUT also bears an uncanny resemblance to A WEDNESDAY, although the two films are as diverse as chalk and cheese in terms of how the storyline progresses.

KNOCK OUT is a thriller that keeps you hooked at regular intervals. The best thing about the film is that it remains focused to the plot and there are no deviations [thankfully!] in terms of songs, comedy or any other parallel track. Of course, there are hiccups, but the finale and the message it conveys camouflages the defects largely.

KNOCK OUT takes place almost entirely inside a public phone booth on a busy street. Bachchu aka Tony Khosla [Irrfan] uses the phone booth to carry out all the odd jobs he's into. After one such call, when Irrfan is about to leave the phone booth, the phone rings and he instinctively picks it up. On the other end of the line is a menacing caller [Sanjay Dutt].

The voice demands that Irrfan stay in the phone booth or else, the caller would destroy his marriage [Rukhsaar plays Irrfan's wife] and ruin his reputation of an investment banker. Irrfan tries to hang up the phone, but the voice on the phone threatens to kill him. Stuck in the phone booth, he's forced to ward off anyone who tries to get him out, including a drug addict.

The drug addict is shot dead by the caller and the police as well as the media arrive on the scene. The caller makes Bachchu dance to his tunes for a valid reason.

Come to think of it, KNOCK OUT is a difficult film to execute because the two characters - Sanju and Irrfan - never cross paths, except for a fleeting moment towards the end. In fact, they are constantly talking to each other over phone. Now watching a man trapped in a phone booth [for the entire film] could make the viewer restless. But the engaging screenplay and the energetic pacing keeps the viewer on toes. You just don't know what to expect next, since the story doesn't follow the beaten path.

What sets it apart from not just PHONE BOOTH, but also other films [including LIBERTY STANDS STILL] is the fact that Sanju is not out to settle personal scores with the wrongdoers [Irrfan, Gulshan Grover]. He wants to book those who have cheated India by stashing unaccounted money across various banks abroad. In fact, the finale is the best part of the enterprise and stirs up patriotic feelings.

On the flipside, the film tends to get repetitive at times. The middle of the second hour stagnates, albeit for a few minutes. Also, there's a reference to a woman that makes Sanju extremely emotional. One assumes that the woman is linked to Sanju is some way, but that remains a mystery all through.

Mani Shankar illustrates his ability as a fine storyteller. His handling of the subject is commendable. Also, the director employs the split-screen style to tell the story, which comes across very well. Cinematography [N. Natarajan Subramanian] is striking. Action scenes [Allan Amin] are vibrant. However, the one-on-one fight in the climax or prior to that, when the cops enter Sanju's apartment and Sanju kills all of them single-handedly, should've been avoided. It robs the film on realism. Dialogues [Shiraz Ahmed] are razor sharp and an asset. I wish to make a special mention of the background score [Sanjay Wandrekar, Atul Raninga], which is truly fantastic.

The casting is just perfect. Sanju seems to be in form after a really long time, after MUNNABHAI in fact. Besides, the performance is consistent from start to end, which only goes to show the involvement of the actor in the script and director. Irrfan is akin to a chameleon. Cast him in any role and he emerges trumps. A lesser actor in his place and KNOCK OUT would've got knocked out. Kangna is efficient, as always. But her diction is faulty at places.

Gulshan Grover is excellent. He plays the corrupt politician with natural ease. Sushant Singh is first-rate. Rukhsar is good in a brief role. Apoorva Lakhia carries the stern look well. Asif Basra does a commendable job.

On the whole, KNOCK OUT is a watchable fare, but its English title and also Sanjay Dutt's box-office pull, which is minimal currently, will act as deterrents. Therefore, the film will require a very strong word of mouth to find a foothold.

Download Knock Out MP3 Songs
01 - Knock Out@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Khushnuma Sa Ye Roshan Ho@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Jab Jab Dil Mile@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Tuhi Mere Hum Navaa@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Gangubai Pe Aai Jawani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Khushnuma Sa Woh Mausam@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Jab Jab Dil Mile (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Knock Out@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Khushnuma Sa Ye Roshan Ho@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Jab Jab Dil Mile@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Tuhi Mere Hum Navaa@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Gangubai Pe Aai Jawani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Khushnuma Sa Woh Mausam@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Jab Jab Dil Mile (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Guzaarish - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Hrithik Roshan & Aishwarya Rai
Despite a minimal instrumental backing, Sanjay Leela Bhansali proves his arranging acumen in the ambient title song. The harmonica, the violin have all been perfectly placed to make the song instantly addictive. Also helping it on its way is the rendition by KK and Shail Hada. That said, one cannot ignore the resemblance to tracks from some of his older movies, particularly HDDCS’s title song. Sau Gram Zindagi is a very 90s-sounding ghazal-based tune given a modern orchestral packaging, and coming in Kunal Ganjawala’s voice it works quite well. Shail Hada reappears with Rakesh Pandit to deliver the poem-like Tera Zikr. Though the poem-line rules out an attractive tune for the song per se, SLB kind of makes it up with the arrangement. And wonderful singing by the vocalists, especially Rakesh.

And then things start going wrong. In Saiba, Bhansali’s attempt to fuse the Latino sound with Vibhavari Joshi’s semiclassical vocals falls flat. Somehow they don’t seem to meld well. KK’s Jaane Kiske sounds quite a bit like the title song in its general feel, but lacks the quality the latter has in orchestration. The only thing that keeps the track going is KK’s reliability. The composer bounces back with the next track, Udi, where the Arabic elements in arrangement make for a wonderful listen coupled with Sunidhi’s exuberance.

In Keh Na Sakoon SLB once again returns to the orchestral melancholic theme of arrangement and ends up being one too many in that line. Shail Hada does a good job behind the microphone but that is not enough to prop this one up. Chaand Ki Katori is an excellent display of Harshdeep Kaur’s vocal brilliance and it is her singing for major part that makes the song enjoyable. Daayein Baayein sounds like a mellow version of Saawariya’s title song and works in a similar manner, KK doing the honors for a third time. Dhundhli Dhundhli is credited to Shankar Mahadevan everywhere on the net, who the vocalist definitely is not. Roop Kumar Rathore may be. Apart from that conflict of facts I found nothing very interesting about the track, the orchestral arrangement getting way too tedious by now.

A decent debut as composer from Sanjay Leela Bhansali which would have been much better had he cut down on the number of songs, especially the similar-genre ones. But that was the case with Saawariya too. One would have expected SLB to learn from his past mistakes. Hope he’s done that at least on the movie front.

Download Guzaarish MP3 Songs
01 - Guzaarish@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Sau Gram Zindagi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tera Zikr@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Saiba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Jaane Kiske Khwaab@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Udi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Keh Na Saku@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Chaand Ki Katori@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Daayein Baayein@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Dhundhli Dhundhli@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Guzaarish@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Sau Gram Zindagi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tera Zikr@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Saiba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Jaane Kiske Khwaab@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Udi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Keh Na Saku@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Chaand Ki Katori@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Daayein Baayein@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Dhundhli Dhundhli@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Friday, October 8, 2010

Golmaal 3 - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Shreyas Talpade, Kunal Khemu, Mithun Chakraborty

Fun. That's in one word to describe the expectation that one has from the music of Golmaal 3. Films coming form the house of Rohit Shetty have time and again celebrated life and are aimed at youth. Whether it is Golmaal, Golmaal 2, All The Best or Sunday, music in each of these films has been vibrant with no single dull moment. This is what one expects from Golmaal 3 as well that has composer Pritam and lyricist Kumaar coming together. With the film being third in the series, one expects double the fun this time around, if not the triple.

It's time for some 'Golmaal' all over again as K.K., Anouska Manchanda and Monali Thakur come together for a high on energy title track. The beginning is exactly on the same line as what one would have expected here, which means that the sound of ' Golmaal Golmaal' is heard all over again. The 'remix version' ensures though that there is a lot of spunk ready to be exploited on the dance floor.

Next to come is a song about togetherness, 'Apna Har Din', which is all set to be picturised on the entire principal cast of Golmaal 3. A fun number with a touch of carnival mood to it, ' Apna Har Din' (which also arrives in a 'remix version') has a 70s style composition with Shaan and Anouska Manchanda sounding genuinely happy while crooning this one. However, the overall impact that the song creates is that of being a situational number.

'Ale' sounds better though and goes full throttle in getting the club mood on. In fact after listening to it a couple of times, one does tend to remember the kind of beats and rhythm that one had heard in the title song of Tum Miley. The song is good but not the kind that makes one stand up and hail it as the next huge chartbuster. A foot tapping track nevertheless with youth written all over it, this Neeraj Sridhar and Antara Mitra sung number is about a bunch of friends who have paved their own path and don't care much about the outside world.

Surprisingly, the best song of the album comes at the very end. One expects at least one massive chartbuster from Pritam in each of his albums. In Golmaal 3, it is 'Desi Kali' which has all in it to rock the charts in its arrival. A smash hit from the word go, 'Desi Kali' has the kind of beats and rhythm that ensure that you get a hang of the song in the very first listening. With Neeraj Sridhar and Sunidhi Chauhan coming together for this song, they ensure that this one turns out to be one of the more popular songs in the offing. Deservingly, there is a 'remix version' of this club track as well which brings on some more spice in the album.

Last to arrive are a couple of songs from Disco Dancer - 'Disco Dancer' and 'Yaad Aa Raha Hain'. Since the film features Mithun Chakravorty in an important role, inclusion of these two songs does not come as a surprise. None of the two songs are presented as-is though and have been re-arranged slightly to go well with the contemporary times. While Bappi Lahiri sings 'Disco Dancer', it is Sudesh Bhosle who comes behind the mike for 'Yaad Aa Raha Hain'.

Golmaal 3 has a chartbuster in the form of 'Desi Kali' with instant recall value coming from title track 'Golmaal' as well. The other two tracks - 'Apna Har Din' and 'Ale' add on to the situational appeal as well. As expected, the music of Golmaal 3 is a fun ride that should go well with racy visuals, which is the hallmark of Rohit Shetty cinema.

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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Action Replayy - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai, Neha Dhupia, Randhir Kapoor, Om Puri, Kirron Kher, Rajpal Yadav

There are good expectations from the music of Action Replayy. After all more often than not, music of Vipul Shah has been popular with the masses. Though London Dreams couldn't find a wider audience, music of Namastey London, Waqt as well as Aankhen had worked with the audience. Even otherwise, his production Singh Is Kinng boasted of chartbuster music. With Pritam at the helm of affairs who pairs up with his lyricist partner Irshad Kamil all over again, you do expect a good soundtrack. However, you are not quite sure about the genre it would belong to. Whether the music would turn out to be out and out romantic or would it have a strong element of fun to it? Let's find that out.

What catches your attention even before you play on the album is the sheer number of songs that have been included in Action Replayy. Really, after the likes of Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani or a Love Aaj Kal [incidentally both of them have Pritam as a composer], Action Replayy has to be the heaviest album around. There are as many as nine distinct songs with remixes of four of them. For an Akshay Kumar starrer, this has to be the biggest musical album ever since one can remember.

First to arrive is 'Zor Ka Jhatka' and call it incidental but the song indeed leaves a 'zor ka jhatka' from the very first note. This one is a thumping hit for sure, as evidenced in the manner it keeps a relentless pace right through its four minute duration. Indian in appeal and carrying a theme (evils of marriage) which is not hard to relate, 'Zor Ka Jhatka' is a fun track that has Daler Mehndi pairing up with Richa Sharma. Both the singers thoroughly enjoy their stint behind the mike and this is visible in the energy that comes along. A sure shot chartbuster which has Master Salim singing for the 'remix version'. However, it is the Daler Mehendi version you want to go back to.

A complete mood shift is enabled with 'O Bekhabar' which has a distinct Yash Chopra feel to it. Swiss Alps and chiffon sareers aren't difficult to be visualised in this romantic track where Shreya Ghoshal gives yet another good account of herself. This one belongs to the kind of Bollywood tracks that have never failed for decades. Pritam along with Irshad Kamil grasp the 'pyaar mohabbat' theme well and present a melodious song to the audience that they won't mind listening on a repeat mode.

If you have seen the promos of Action Replayy, you wouldn't have missed listening to the sound of 'Nakhre'. A fun celebration track that brings on a carnival affect, 'Nakhre' is a true blue retro track that has singer Francois Castellino getting the Elivs Presley mood recreated. While the intentions are noble here and the core tune right as well, it is the singing that makes one a tad dissatisfied. In an attempt to recreate the Elvis magic, the final result isn't as desired that makes one feel that 'Nakhre' (which also appears in a 'remix version') could have been far better.

However, the disappointment doesn't stay on for long as Sunidhi Chauhan and Ritu Pathak come together for the 'holi' number 'Chhan Ke Mohalla'. Really, this one turns out to be as instantly catchy as 'Zor Ka Jhatka' and turns out to be yet another chartbuster knocking on the doors. With a Laxmikant Pyaarelal flavour to it, 'Chhan Ke Mohalla' reminds one of their 70s compositions and is instantly likeable. Also, there is an instant element of seduction to it, something which is expected from a 'holi' number, which further makes one listen to the 'remix version' with added anticipation.

What comes next though is a song straight out of Pritam territory with 'Tera Mera Pyaar' turning out to be a song that would have been gladly picked up by Bhatts or Imtiaz Ali. A soothing love song with Karthik, Mahalakshmi and Antara Mitra doing quite well to get the lovey-dovey mood on, 'Tera Mera Pyaar' (also arriving later in the 'remix version') continues to add on to the different moods of Action Replayy. By this time around, one is sure that the soundtrack is a mix of love songs as well as fun numbers which leads one to check out what next is in store.

This is the reason why one is not surprised when it is a fun dance number that comes in immediately. 'Dhak Dhak Dhak' has Mika going ballistic and after hearing it a couple of times, you too join all the fun. With a core Indian feel to it, 'Dhak Dhak Dhak' - a dance number - never really rests and maintains its tempo right from start till the end.

Next to arrive is 'Luk Chup Jaana' which is yet another track that has the potential to make it into the charts. This one again requires just half a listening to realise that it has a Pritam stamp all over it. In fact one is surprised that this well orchestrated and arranged dance number sung by Tulsi Kumar and KK hadn't arrived in the album a little earlier. It really deserved to and if promoted well, could be one of the highlight tracks in the film.

Even with so much to offer, the platter doesn't get empty with Pritam churning out yet another number - this time a rock track - 'I Am Dog Gone Crazy'. Though the lyrics suggest an out and out whacky number, which is not really the case as singer Suraj Jagan keeps his vocals under control. Rather than turning out to be hardcore rock that leads to a restricted audience for itself, it stays within boundaries to auger well with the quintessential Bollywood followers as well.
Shreya Ghoshal, the only singer in the album to enjoy two solo tracks for herself, returns with 'Baki Main Bhool Gayi'. A love song that has a definite tempo to it and moves ahead with some racy beats, 'Baki Main Bhool Gayi' may not be the chosen one from the crowd. Still, as a part of the package in Action Replayy where there is no full moment, this last song in the album as well manages to make its own contribution.

Action Replayy is a fun album and better than what had initially expected. In fact while it is 'Zor Ka Jhatka' followed by 'Nakhre' and 'O Bekhabar' which are being currently promoted, there are quite a few other songs that deserve to find attention for themselves. With exactly a month to go for the release of the film, one would definitely want to see more of 'Chhan Ke Mohalla', 'Luk Chup Jaana' and 'Tera Mera Pyaar' at the least. An entertaining album that doesn't have a single dull moment.

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Friday, October 1, 2010

Allah Ke Banday - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Sharman Joshi, Faruk Kabir, Naseruddin Shah

One doesn't play on the music of Allah Ke Banday expecting anything that would be a quintessential feel good affair. After all the film, as the promos and the title suggest, is pretty much a gritty dramatic tale revolving around children and crime. Hence, you expect a theme score that would be haunting to say the least, a la Ram Gopal Varma films like Satya, Company or the Sarkar series. With multiple composers coming together for different songs in the album, you look forward to the kind of songs that would primarily play in the background with lip synch numbers being totally out of question.

The album gets a hard hitting start with Chirantan Bhatt coming up with exactly the kind of sound in 'Maula' that one expected from Allah Ke Banday. Sung in high pitch by Hamza Faruqui and Krishna, this fusion between sufi and rock does bring in the kind of high intensity impact that Allah Ke Banday required. Sarim Momin gets the right lyrics in place as the protagonists' plea before God to make life better for the underprivileged.

Next to arrive is a Kailash Kher, Naresh & Paresh creation titled 'Kya Hawa Kya Baadal'. Written and sung by Kailash Kher, the track has a sad intrinsic feel to it. However, what takes the song down is the fact that it turns out to be pretty sad not just in the way it is sung and the theme that it conveys but also the way it overall sounds. Clearly, this one just doesn't go anywhere and though it does aim at bringing on the theme feel of the film, the overall sound of 'Kya Hawa Kya Baadal' is such that you aren't really excited to check out the much longer version that appears later.

New entrants Tarun & Vinayak come up with a two minute long piece 'Rabba Rabba' which has director/actor Faruk Kabir himself coming behind the mike. This is the same song which is currently playing in the promo and is strictly situational. A rock number which has lyrics by Ravi Khote, this song yet again gets into the territory of lost childhood and innocence. However, even as one starts warming up to a little extent, it reaches an end.


Sunidhi Chauhan goes almost unplugged for 'Mayoos' with just about a couple of instruments playing remotely in the background. As the title itself suggests, this one Sarim Momin written song has a sad feeling to it. This is understandable though as this film couldn't have afforded to carry anything feel good. Despite the fact that this Hamza Faruqui number does turn out to be better than the couple of songs before it, it would be challenging for 'Mayoos' to make its presence felt outside the narrative of the film.

There is an attempt to get some fun in place with Ishq Bector playing the double role of composer and singer with the track 'Kaala Jaadu'. Sarim Momin writes for this situational track that could be set in the juvenile prison. Sounding so much like an 80s track, it is barely passable and though it tries to bring on the fun element on it, the maximum impact it may manage to make it within the context of the film if picturised well.

Allah Ke Banday was never expected to be a commercial score. However, despite this limitation, the overall results are not the kind that would make one gaga about the intrinsic quality that the album would have brought with itself. One now looks forward to what the film has to offer because it sounds far more promising.

Download Allah Ke Banday MP3 Songs
01 - Maula@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Kya Hawa Kya Baadal@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Rabba Rabba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Mayoos@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Kaala Jaadu@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Kya Hawa Kya Baadal (Full Version)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Maula@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Kya Hawa Kya Baadal@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Rabba Rabba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Mayoos@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Kaala Jaadu@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Kya Hawa Kya Baadal (Full Version)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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