Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani : Movie Review

 

Can you remember when was the last time, people went mad on just one song and rushed to the theatres only to make a movie hit? Not in recent years, right? Well, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani did exactly that. Just in first 2 days, it has racked in 40 crores. That's a big deal. And who's smiling behind these figures? Its Pritam, whose utterly commercial, dhamaka hits made this movie sell like hot cake. Otherwise, Ayan Mukerjee is a name that is not 'this' famous that can attract people to the theatre. (Though, no doubt Ranbir is there too spell his magic). In short, YJHD is clearly a Pritam movie and not Ayan's.

 

Why? Because this is not that Ayan who made the cuddliest movie - Wake Up Sid. At places you see sparks of his touch, but those moments are only a few in this popcorn mush. Credit surely goes to him for some wonderful moments like Deepika-Ranbir in Udaipur, the final scene between dad and his son. Also, the first half was absolute fun, where Kalki shines with her tomboyish avatar. Its only the second half, that is a bit stretched and with many deja vu moments that are by now typical in

 

YRF/Dharma movies. Thankfully the songs save the day in otherwise dull development of story.

Talking about acts - Ranbir is ofcourse first rate as always. He speaks with his eyes. (and oh, that tattoo on right wrist :)) And with Deepika, he looks just perfect. Even better than their first one together (BAH). Deepika seems brightened up just by presence of him. And obviously, gives a perfect performance. Though this was her regular kinda role. (just changed places which she did in Cocktail). But besides looking stunning, her act too leaves a mark. In supporting cast, Kalki is the best one. (Meh, Aditya Roy Kapur - Mr Shake-head). In tomboy avatar she steals the show in second half, despite the fact that she portrayed a short / average part in next half.

 

Shot wonderfully in Manali and other parts of the world, the colorful pallette throughout the movie makes it look really good on screen. Just one complaint- too much of liquor talk / scenes there that one gets fed up by first hour itself. On the other hand, music gives the movie a solid support whenever the strings of screenplay gets loosen up. Not just songs, but the background score, done by Pritam, is fantastic. (add a wonderful added short track in climax).

 

Overall, YJHD is definitely a watchable movie. Becuase of leads' acts, its music and Ranbir and Ranbir. Yes, everyone had big expectations and obvious that is. But well, I think in our country everyone is so obsessed with Shaadi things, one can't resist it - not even our films.

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Raanjhanaa : Music Review

Tan thirke thirke mann behke behke - Yes, that's exactly how I felt after listening to this album. After that disappointment of JTHJ, I was absolutely sure that in Raanjhanaa, ARR is going to create magic, again. Given the director's choice for music (Tanu Weds Manu), and the setup for the film - Banaras, high expectations were obvious. And all of them are fulfilled.

Dreamy prelude starts Tum Tak and once Javed Ali steps in this semi-classical number, it absorbs you in the sound of the Ganga ghaats. Manjira, dholak, tabla and shehnai creates solid earthy experience. Add brilliant climax at 3:07 and excellent wordplay penned by Irshad Kamil. Javed Ali along with Keerti Sagathia and Pooja (who sounds so much like Sadhna Sargam) are in top form making this ear worm go on loop mode.

Title track, Raanjhanaa Hua starts on low key only to get picked up so well that makes you move your feet to the sound. Fast paced dholak sound is the star of this track. Shiraz Uppal and Jaswinder Singh's is an interesting combination for this one. Both of them perfects upbeat mood of mad lover. And very easily they croon those tricky lines. Oh and that inimitable Sitar piece by Asad Khan !! Madly in love with this song already.

Borrowing few verses of Amir Khusrau, Tu Mun Shudi makes an interestingly different composition that you can't categorize. At first it easily reminds of Rang De Basanti. Rabbi powers the vocals part along with Rahman himself. A word of warning : Do not listen this on any ordinary speakers. Get a pair of nice headphones or something else.

Filled with eargasm caused by classical elements fused by flutes, tablas, sarangi, sitar - Banarasiya is a gem that only Shreya can sing this way, aptly backed by Meenal Jain and Anwesha. Prelude is amazingly worked out with Sarangi, and later by sweetest flutes and equally fantastic conclusion with Sitar. Words by Irshad, immersed in flavor of Banaras, strikes the chord instantly in the heart.

When you hear that ni ni sa sa ni ni sa sa in the prelude, and when you get goosebumps by first few seconds itself - you know its going to be a grandeur ahead. Piya Milenge takes you to that sufi trance in a way that ARR has mastered. Sung proficiently by ever dependable Sukhvinder Singh and KMMC Sufi Ensemble, the track reaches a new height at 3:38 - indescribable moment !

Another classical treat with four fabulous singers - Madhushree, Vaishali, Chinmayi and Aanchal Sethi-  Ay Sakhi is that giggling girlish tune (that reminded me of Eli Re Eli, flavor wise) sprinkled with teun teun, pe pe pe and what not. What stars here is Irshad's word, especially last paragraph. Loved the wordplay.

Dreamy Nazar Laaye has flavor of JTYJN. Filled with guitar strings, this duet by Rashid Ali and Neeti Mohan is easily a loveable one (despite of that much used word 'Mahiya'). The overall cuddly softness lingers in the mind. Another such song is Aise Na Dekho which is pretty much in league of JTYJN title track. Blame it on 'saxy' arrangements and ARR singing it for himself. But what makes this more endearing is the accordions and the whistles. Also, is it just me or mouth organ is there too?

Final one, The Land of Shiva is a wonderful ensemble of the sounds from the ghaats. Temple bells, conchs and heavy percussion. Everything is grand but too short the track is, it leaves you wanting for more.

As I told in first para, Rahman sir has blown away my speakers already, with the awesomeness of the earthy-classical-modern touch. (sorry, but in absence of proper words). Raanjhanaa is a real treat. Thank you Rahman sir. Thank you Anand L Rai for giving him this freedom.

My Picks : Tum Tak, Raanjhanaa Hua, Banarasiya, Piya Milenge, Tu Mun Shudi.

Tags: Rahman, raanjhanaa, raanjana, sonam kapoor, irshad kamil, abhay deol, rabbi, freedom song, tu mun shudi meaning, tu man shudi meaning, dhanush kolaveri first bollywood, Raanjhanaa music review

Lootera : Music Review

Ears get filled with sugary sweetness thanks to the lovely voice of Monali Thakur in Sawaar loon. Composed in a gorgeously minimal-earthy arrangements, the lilting melody gives perfect background for words of Amitabh Bhattacharya. Use of flutes and 'thaaps' reminds those works of Salil da. Easily the best of the album, that oozes 'Bongness'. Another such track is Monta Re (Oh my heart). Sung by Swanand Kirkire, the track is wonderfully crafted from each aspect. Add a fantastic, minute long conclusion, it transfers you directly to the land of Bengal. Both of these tracks perfectly set the mood for this movie with old world charm.

On the other hand, balance four tracks has contemporary sound, which at places reminds of Udaan. Of course, because the team is very much the same. Sung by Amitabh, Ankahee shines with wonderfully penned words dashed with sorrow, pain of incompleteness. Similar mood is throughout next three tracks. Led by piercing violins, Mohan and Amitabh's Shikayatein easily gives you goosebumps with that haunting signature tune. Dark Zinda is a string-heavy one where Amit does what he's best at - singing pathos. The last one - Manmarziyaan by Amitabh and Shilpa, is not something you have never heard (or maybe it will take time) nonetheless, a lovely track with brilliantly fused sounds of violins and strings and even Santoor !

Looking at the look of the film, Lootera has perfect sounds for the film. Even without any fusion, Amit Trivedi has created gems in form of Sawaar Loon and Monta Re. Wish other tracks, though they are top class, could've been of same genre. Still, this is one 'must hear' soundtrack, that shows how versatile AT can be. 

My Picks : Sawaar Loon, Monta Re, Ankahee, Shikayatein.
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Monta Re (Lootera) Lyrics, Meaning, Translation

Kaagaz ke do pankh leke, Uda chala jaaye re
(with wings as fragile as paper, its flying)

Jahaan nahin jaana tha ye, Wahin chala haye re
(Where it shouldn't go, it goes there only)

Umar ka yeh taana baana, samajh na paaye re
(It doesn't understand those complicated rules of ages)

Zubaan pe jo moh maaya, Namak lagaye re
(Those worthless attractions, luring it)

Ke dekhe na bhale na jaane na daayre
(It doesn't look back or front, it doesn't know its limits..)

Disha hara kemon boka
Monn-ta re..
(This silly/mad heart of mine, is directionless)

Fateh kare kile saare, bhed jaaye deewarein
Prem koi sendh laage.. Sendh laage re laage
(After winning all the castles, breaking all walls (obstacles),
it still thinks 'love' is a crime)

Agar magar bari bari,
Jiya ko yoon uchhale,
Jiya nahin gend laage, gend laage re laage
(Yes, no, this and that, it confuses itself with this dilemma,
not a heart, but it looks like a ball, that way)

Maati ko ye chandan sa, maathe pe sajaye re
(Confused, it thinks this sand is sandal, and puts on forehead)

Zubaan pe jo moh maaya, namak lagaye re
(Those worthless attractions, luring it)

Ke dekhe na bhale na jaane na daayare,
(It doesn't look back or front, it doesn't know its limits..)

Disha haara kemon boka
Monn-ta re..
(This silly/mad heart of mine, is directionless)

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Tu Mun Shudi (Raanjhanaa) song lyrics : Meaning, translation

Tu mun shudi, tu mun shudi
Muntu shudam tu mun shudi
[I have become you, and you've become me]

Rangaley rangeele ne ladke bade, haan
[Vibrant, Vivacious are we boys]

Rehnde hawawan di ghodi te chadhe
[Riding High on the horses of wind]

Hai nidar dil da safar
[Fearless is the journey of our heart]

Ho nidar dil de hum safar
[Fearless should be the companion of our heart]

Rajj ke
[Fully]

Humse wafayein lena
[Borrow deep sincerity from us]

Taaza hawayein lena
[Borrow fresh breeze from us]

Tere layi hum chaand khareedenge
[For You I will neither buy the Moon]

Haan...Bungalow na denge
[Nor get you a luxurious bungalow]

Par chain ko la denge
[But will surely get you Bliss]

Sab aunde saanu ehoje kartab ne...
[We know of all such tricks]

Humse wafayein lena
[Borrow deep sincerity from us]

Taaza hawayein lena
[Borrow fresh breeze from us]

Tu mun shudi, tu mun shudi
Muntu shudam tu mun shudi
Tu mun shudi, tu mun shudi
Muntu shudam tu mun shudi**
(**These two lines are taken from verses written by Amir Khusrau)

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Ghanchakkar : Music Review

Sung by Amit, the title track Ghanchakkar Babu starts off the album in a perfect note for this mad film. Fused with funny 'Chinese' sounding chorus and hilarious lyrics by Amitabh, the track is addiction. The wordy riot continues throughout other three tracks as well. Richa Sharma's lazy-casual tone in Lazy Lad, backed by 'womaniya chorus' portrays absolute fun caricature of the Ghanchakkar. Ditto with Jholu Ram. The best of the lot words it has. And whoa ! Altaf Raja singing the song ! Added bits of him in standard 'shayari' style are brilliant addition. Qawwali'sque Allah Meherbaan does work after a few listens. Sung by Divya Kumar, the track seems situational but still fun while playing it.

Ghanchakkar is one soundtrack that is totally dedicated to the context of the film. Not a single track can be seperated from the film that we can feel even without watching it. After Aiyyaa, this is another such album by Amit Trivedi. Definitely, we want more of such, keep them coming AT.

My Picks : Lazy Lad, Jholu Ram
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