Hello Darling - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Celina Jaitly, Gul Panag, Eesha Koppikhar & Javed Jaffrey

It is ironical that despite the name Pritam attached to the soundtrack of Hello Darling, you play on the album with minimum expectations. There are couple of reasons for that. First and foremost it is not a quintessential romantic tale where one can expect the composer to come up with some of his best tunes. Secondly, the film has been in the making for quite some time now and due to the rapidly changing musical scene, one is apprehensive about what Hello Darling would have in the offing. Add to that the fact that it has been a while since one heard a popular soundtrack coming from the house of Subhash Ghai. Due to this, one doesn't get overtly excited to know what is in store from Hello Darling that has Shabbir Ahmed contributing with most number of songs (three) as a lyricist with Ashish Pandit and Kumaar coming up with a song apiece.

It was four decades back when 'Aa Jaane Jaan' was heard first in Inteqam. While there have been countless 'remix versions' that have been made in the last decade, it is for the first time that a new version has been created for a film. Just as has been the case in 'Aapka Kya Hoga - Dhanno' [Housefull] and 'Parda' [Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai] where new lyrics were added to the original tracks with just the 'mukhda' kept intact, the same holds good for 'Aa Jaane Jaan' too with Shabbir Ahmed adding his own words to the song. While Akriti Kakkar and Antara Mitra are fine behind the mike, the interspersing rendition by Javed Jaffery is totally 80s. Also, the sound of 'aau' a la Michael Jackson is totally passe. The song doesn't quite have in it to cover much distance here.

Thankfully, Pritam gets into his zone, well to some extent at least, with a 'dholki' driven 'Band Baaja' that hints of Imtiaz Ali school of music. Written by Ashish Pandit, this is a fun celebration number about a guy bringing himself to his bride's place with full arrangement of - as the lyrics suggest - 'Band Baaja'. Rana Mazumder, who has been working with Pritam for a while now, gets a major song to his credit as he goes full throated in a manner similar to that of Neeraj Sridhar and Mika and does a rather good job. Richa Sharma and Ritu Pathak bring in a folksy flavour to this song as well which is instantly likeable and is foot tapping. The song rightfully gets a 'remix version' for itself and one doesn't mind hearing it all over again.

It is time to hear something trademark Pritam from the very opening note of 'Dil To Saala'. Of course the song does seem 3-4 years late in the day but one doesn't mind that, courtesy the kind of spunk that Sunidhi Chauhan brings in her rendition. Foot tapping from start to finish, this number written by Kumaar has lyrics that go like 'Dil To Saala Ullu Ka Paatha Hai'. Well, all that one thinks at this moment is that after Kaminey, Lafangey Parindey and 'Ullu Ka Patha', what next could possibly be in store? Nevertheless, the number works as instant coffee and should be a fun watch on screen.

However, what follows next is barely passable as 'Attrah Baras Ki' makes one immediately feel that this could well be a song entirely designed by Subhash Ghai himself. Stuck in a time warp, right from Shabbir Ahmed's lyrics, Suzzane D'Mello's singing and of course Pritam's composition, there isn't much that makes you feel that the song has been created in the current decade. Until and unless the three leading ladies of Hello Darling sizzle on screen during this song, there isn't much life that can be expected for 'Attrah Baras Ki'.

Shabbir Ahmed also writes the last song in the album, 'Working Girls', which has Shweta Pandit, Ritu Pathak and Priyadarshini coming together as the women force. This has to be one of the weakest songs in the album as it doesn't go beyond sounding like an ad jingle. There is a Westernized treatment to the song but all it does is reminding one of the kind of title sequence songs from TV serials around women power.

There were never many expectations to begin with from Hello Darling so there is no disappointment as well after one is through hearing the entire soundtrack. In fact it is just fair that eventually there are at least a couple of songs that still turn out to be reasonably entertaining - 'Band Baaja' and 'Dil To Saala'. However, with the limited promotional window that Hello Darling has, it would be difficult for the album to sustain itself on the power of just these two songs, which by themselves are not exceptional to begin with.

Download MP3 Songs
01 - Aa Jaane Jaan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Band Baaja@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Dil To Saala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Attrah Baras Ki@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Working Girls@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Band Baaja (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Aa Jaane Jaan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Band Baaja@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Dil To Saala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Attrah Baras Ki@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Working Girls@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Band Baaja (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Rann - Movie Review

Read more! Cast :: Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Rajat Kapoor, Gul Panag, Neetu Chandra, Rajpal Yadav, Prakash Trivedi, Sudeep, Rahul Pendkalkar, Neena Kulkarni,Simone Singh, Iklaq Khan, Alok Nath

Ramgopal Varma is itching to tell a new story in his movies. You may garland him for his efforts or loathe him if you feel letdown, but you need to hand it to him for picking up stories that defy stereotype.

This time, in RANN, the maverick film-maker does an expose on the games the heavyweights in the media play to further their interests. RGV goes into the newsrooms and also behind it and throws light on the politician-industrialist-media nexus. Also, it's an insider's account of how news channels that are greedy for ratings sensationalize stories to grab eyeballs.

On surface, you don't want to know what goes behind the scenes and how, at times, news are 'created' by vested interests. But RANN scratches the surface and opens a can of worms. RANN also mirrors the fact that just like there are good and bad people in every field, there're some rotten ones in the media too who succumb to temptations and create news to climb the ladder of success.

RANN is a serious film and RGV knows what he's talking this time. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that you recall RGV's SARKAR while watching RANN, even though the two films are as diverse as chalk and cheese. You recall SARKAR because RANN is an equally powerful film that shows a world we've only seen from the exterior.

RANN is for those who enjoy serious cinema. It's more for the intelligentsia, for the thinking viewer. Definitely not for those who seek refuge in frivolous masala capers.

Vijay Harshvardhan Malik [Amitabh Bachchan] is the founder of a private news channel, India 24/7. A upholder of journalistic ethics, his channel is battling for survival. Jay [Sudeep], his son, looks at his father's news channel purely as a business enterprise that must make profits to justify its existence. He hates that his competition [Mohnish Bahl] is doing better than him.

The story takes a turn when a corrupt politician, Mohan Pandey [Paresh Rawal], decides to use the channel to his advantage by using Vijay's son-in-law Navin [Rajat Kapoor]. Pandey aspires to be the Prime Minister and indulges in a vicious campaign against his political opponent.

Navin is the most insecure man on earth and won't rest till he becomes the number one industrialist in the country. He, in turn, involves his brother-in-law Jay in Pandey's game plan.

A film like RANN would fall into the pit if [i] its writing wouldn't be razor-sharp and [ii] the choice of actors would be incompetent. RGV's movies, generally, are embellished with competent actors who deliver super performances. In this film, every member of the cast shines in his/her role, the length of the role notwithstanding.

The writing is watertight and convincing. Besides, the subject matter has been presented in the most simplistic manner, which makes it easy to decipher. However, the episode showing Riteish's investigation tends to get confusing at one point, but the climax compensates for the minor hiccups here and there.

Amit Roy's cinematography is eye-catching. Dialogues are power-packed. In fact, one can identify with the well-penned dialogues. The background score plays a crucial role. It heightens the impact of various scenes.

Amitabh Bachchan is spectacular yet again, especially towards the finale. His speech and the way he delivers it are remarkable. Sudeep is terrific. To stand up to giants like Bachchan and Paresh Rawal is no mean achievement. Riteish is only getting better and better with every film. In fact, he surprises you constantly.

Paresh Rawal, seen in an RGV film after a long, long time, is at his vicious best. Rajat Kapoor is incredible. Mohnish Bahl gets the role of a lifetime and he sinks his teeth into it. This film should open new vistas for him. Gul Panag is natural and so easy on the eyes. Neetu Chandra does her part well. Suchitra Krishnamoorthy is too good. Rajpal Yadav contributes to some funny moments. Neena Kulkarni and Simone Singh are perfect for their parts.

On the whole, RANN is truly a well-made film. No two opinions on that. The film should be patronised by viewers of serious, sensible cinema. Recommended!

Download MP3 Songs
01 - Besharam@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Gali Gali Mein@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Kaanch Ke Jaise@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Mera Bharat Mahaan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Rann Hai @review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Remote Ko Baahar Phek@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Sikkon Ki Bhook (The Vande Mataram Song)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Rann - Music Review

Read more! Cast :: Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Paresh Rawal, Mohnish Behl, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, Rajat Kapoor, Gul Panag, Neetu Chandra, Rajpal Yadav, Prakash Trivedi, Sudeep, Rahul Pendkalkar, Neena Kulkarni,Simone Singh, Iklaq Khan, Alok Nath

By now we are all well aware that Ram Gopal Verma’s movies don’t have songs just thrown in. His characters don’t break into a jig, nor are they singers. His movies have songs which are played in the background and suit the mood and setting of the scene. Obviously, such is the case for Rann, RGV’s brand new movie!

Besharam sung by Abhishek Naiwal who sings it like a war cry is a track which spits anger on the things happening around. It sounds more on the lines of Aarambh from the movie Gulaal.

Gali Gali Mein sung by a very effervescent JoJo is a funny yet very relevant track on the current state of our country. The music is ok, but gets too noisy at times.

The best track of the album comes in the form of Kaanch Ke Jaise sung by the ever dependable Sukhwinder Singh. It’s a track in which the protagonist laments rules. The lyrics are profound and metaphorical.

Kunal Ganjawala comes to rap on Mera Bharat Mahaan, which talks about all the ironical things happening in our country. It is ok in terms of lyrics, but the music sticks out like a sore thumb.

The title track Rann Hai is again a track which portrays anger through some wrong things happening around. Sanjeev Kohli sings it well, but the tone of the song is repetitive.

Remote Ko Baahar Phek is a fast-paced rap number sung by Jayesh Gandhi. It is more like a bunch of words have been thrown in without any rhyme with a few news channel headlines for good measure. It may work well in the movie, but as a stand-alone track it’s a naah!

Sikkon Ki Bhook The Vande Mataram Song starts off with some breaking news headlines from different news channels. Sung by Vardan Singh, this one too falls in the same genre as the previous tracks of this album.

Multiple music directors don’t do justice to this album, and the tracks have no appeal as a stand-alones. Most of them sound repetitive unlike Varma’s earlier movies which had some memorable soundtracks.

Download MP3 Songs
01 - Besharam@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Gali Gali Mein@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Kaanch Ke Jaise@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Mera Bharat Mahaan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Rann Hai @review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Remote Ko Baahar Phek@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Sikkon Ki Bhook (The Vande Mataram Song)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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