Mausam Music Review

 As the saying in Trade Parlance goes "Behind every succesful eternal love story there is an equally successful musical score", Pakanj Kapoor's directorial debut Mausam which is a love saga spanning across ages is ought to have a sound musical score to instill an emmotional connect with its audience.

With backings of a commercially viable composer Pritam and actor par excellence Pankaj Kapoor donning director's hat nothing less than a quality product would satisfy our musical quest.

The album starts off with a soul stirring Rabba Main Toh Mar Gaya Oye which initiates with its signature flute tone and takes the listeners in the make believe world that only those in true love can identify with.This is a song that can easily find an entry in any of Yash Raj's love stories, remember Tujhme Rab Dikhta hai, due to its timeless charm and melody. Lyrics by Irshad Kamil deserves a special mention here, as they are the perfect amalgamation of simplicity and astuteness..The sugar filled vocals of Shahid Mallaya takes this compositon to an altogether different level.Certainly a chart-buster that is not subject to repeated hearings.The song appears again with a reprise version in the voice of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who adds another dimension to it with his experience and expertise.

Next, Sajh Dhaj Ke sung by Mika is your run of the mill fast paced track that may find patronage among the youth vying for Shahid's dance moves but has nothing new to offer except the raunchy lyrics and energetic dhol beats that elevate  it to some extent. Seems the song was designed to enhance the universal reach of the album as such songs usually become rage among masses.Not a worth follow up to classic Rabba.

The album regains its class with whimsical vocals of Hansraj Hans in Ik Tu Hi Tu Hi which begins with a heart wrenching aallap and keeps in you grip with its delirious melody and lyrics. The fact that Hansraj Hans is seldom heard, gives this song  a invigorated demeanor. Certainly a food for soul kind of music which depicts the state of protagonist's longing for love quiet efficiently. .The song has another version crooned by Wadali Brothers in their prevalent qawali style but fails to match the rawness of its original.

The fourth track, Poore Se Zara Sa Kum Hain by Ustaad Raashid Khan a semi-classical number  is  absolutely enthralling for the connoisseurs of  music and sung with so much passion and class that makes you sit up and admire the talent of both the singer as well as the composer. The track would definitely go down as one of the most accomplished works of pritams's career. Highly Recommended.

Then comes Aaag Lage Us Aag Ko , a track seems to take its bearings from  Manmohini from Hom Dil De Chuke Sanam is a energetic folk piece giving rustic feel ably supported by high octane drums. Being more of a situational number, will have limited appeal and may not generate much heat at the countdowns like other songs of the album.

Last in the stock Mallo Mali  a complete opposite to its predecessor is an instant chart-buster with a pritam's stamp engraved all over it. Sung  brilliantly by Tochi Rana of Siabo fame , the song is a dancers delight and set to rule the pubs once the movie hits the marquee as it is enriched with techno beats which are  testimony of the pub culture..Definitely a rollicking finale to the album!

Mausam has to be Pritam's most versatile if not best work till date and will certainly be a milestone in his already illustrious musical journey. Its good to be churning out successful and massy album like Ready, De Dana Dan to name a few but no harm in producing gems like Mausam once in a blue moon because if the former assure you success the later is a food for your creative buds! Looking forward for more such work from you in future.Certainly an album for all Mausams! Grab your copies asap!

Rating:- ****1/2

Aarakshan Movie Review.

After the colossal success of  his previous venture Rajneeti, Prakash Jha makes a comeback with his latest social-political magnum opus Aarakshan(Reservation) to woo the cinema lovers this weekend. Some movies are meant for entertainment while some  act as source of enlarging your knowledge base and this movie like many other Prakash Jha's works is a testimony of the second category as it throws light on the quirky topic of Aarakshan. The demon may be familiar to some but is still naive for major section of people especially the masses.But on the flip side, the movie seems to be a half baked attempt on the topic as focus shifts to how education system today is reeling under the political influence and is seen as a medium of making money like any other business in the second half of the movie..So the result is a riveting and  intriguing first half while a rather subdued and filmy second half which drags to the limit of testing one's patience. But somehow this flaw is overpowered by the earnest performance from Mr. Amitabh Bacchan the pillar on which this flick gets its foundation.

The movie apart from tackling the Arakshan issue , is basically a story of Amitabh Bacchan a college dean and the people his world surrounds with on both personal and professional front and the hardships they have to face because of this issue.But the film suddendly takes U turn in its second part focusing more on the aspect of commercialization of education in today's scenario depicting clash between two coaching institutes taking much of its zing and novelty.

Technically the film's background score is among one of its aces. Cinematography provides it the required grandeur and scale. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is strictly average to say the least as the need of a potential chart buster is sorely felt.Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi are eloquent as per the situations
in the movie. Prakash Jha has handled this subject with a certain poise and dignity which was expected from the director of such stature.The fact that movie never takes any side to convey its point is his biggest triumph. Dialogues provide the apt dramatic element to the proceedings.

Coming to performances, Saif Khan pitches a fiery and earnest portrayal of dalit in the first half but somehow his role lacks the meat in second half where he is mostly relegated to the background due to  Mr Bacchan onslaught. Deepika Padukone  performs  her part with utmost sincerity and her scenes with Mr Bacchan exudes warmth. Manoj Bajpai excels in some scenes while less convincing in others. The fault lies in his characterization  which seems to be a caricature of old formula movie villains.
Pratiek Babbar surprisingly delivers a rather weak and inconsistent performance as his expressions fell flat in many dramatic sequences.But one man on whose shoulders this movie rests, Mr Amitabh Bacchan gives an awe inspiring portrayal  of a idealistic college dean trapped under the vicious circle of Aarakshan. His dailogue delivery, mannerisms and expressions are a treat to watch. His quest to perform any role to perfection even at this age certainly proves to be an eye opener for many current crop of actors as well as budding aspirants.  


The movie, though may be deviating from its roots through mid half, certainly deserves to be seen for its refreshing take on the issue, skillful direction and towering performance of Mr Bacchan.
Socially relevant movies are seldom found in bollywood and if its presented with a slice of commercial
elements wooven in between then its certainly makes for a compelling watch. Recomended to reserve your seats for Mr Bachhan!

Rating : ***1/2

Top 10 Songs for August 2011

10. Jalebi Bai-Double Dhamaal


  9. Go Meera Go-Bbuddha Hoga Tera Baap


  8. Saathiya- Singham


  7.Character Dheela-Ready


  6. Teri-Meri-Bodygaurd


  5. Bhag D.k - Delhi Belly


  4. Aye Khuda- Murder 2


  3. Dhunki- Mere Brother Ki Dulhan


  2. Rabba- Mausam


  1. Senorita- Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Movie Review

Remember any film in recent times that  had a perfect amalgamation of commercial as well as art-house cinema woven so craft fully into one ? Well, Zoya Aktar's second outing Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara  serves as the ambassador for bridging the gap between two mediums of cinema that are poles apart and this is what makes this film a unique experience altogether .ZNMD had to shed the baggage of Dil Chahata Hai as comparisons were being made since its first promo caught the viewers' attention and thankfully it does succeeds in doing so as the two films may be similar thematically but are as different as chalk n cheese in terms of characterizations of the protagonists and storytelling.

The story is basically about three friends Arjun, Imran and Kabir who head for their long pending road trip and how this trip serves as a medium of self realization, strengthening of relationships and overcoming of fears, forms the crux of this skillfully executed film. Each of the above three characters though looking simple from the outset is multilayer-ed with either some past grudges or dilemma attached to them. How they sort out their midlife crisis during the course of this life changing journey makes this film an intriguing venture.

For a film on male bonding , the camaraderie between its  protagonists is the driving force in making it a success and ZNMD excels in this department as the chemistry showcased by Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay is so believable and realistic that you resonate them as friends for real rather than friends for reel and this is the biggest triumph of this movie..

Although the movie is a cinematic treat in totality but the scenes that make it a repeat watch are:-
- The first interaction scene of the trio where they decide the trip schedule gives a slight insight into their characters.
- The altercation between Hrithik and Farhan after the phone incident throwing light on their their sour relationship escalates beautifully between the realms of humour and drama.
- The scene where Hrithik comes out of the sea putting aside all his in-habitations  and past burdens for a carefree life  ahead is surely a stuff what classics are made off!
- The pranks played by the trio on strangers is sure to bring the house down .
- The scenes where the trio play games to find out each others problem is thoroughly enjoyable and exudes warmth..
-   Scene where Katrina tells Hrithik to enjoy life and live for the moment rather than thinking about future act as an eye opener.
- The scenes where Farhan addresses the bag as Bagwati deserves a special mention.
- The online interactions between Abhay and Kalki  bring smile to your faces.
- The scene where the trio get drunk and make fun of doordarshan is a delight to watch.
- Farahan's interaction with his biological father Naseerudin Shah is sure to bring a lump to your throat.
- The climax where the three musketeers make a pact about overcoming their fears is simply magical and inspiring.

Technically also the film is on par with any international movie with cinematography and background score being topnotch. The films captures Spain in all its glory and enigma and will serve as a perfect tool of boosting  Spain tourism. Dialogues by Farhan Akthar are a refreshing change from what we are used to see in recent movies and are more closer to reality. Poetry by Jaaved Akthar is a sheer delight and provides depth to each character .Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy should easily rank among their best works with Ik Junoon and Senorita being outright chartbusters.But it is Zoya Akthar's direction skills and crisp screenplay that provides it the magical touch and makes this film a cut above the rest. Making a road movie is not an easy thing and Zoya Akthar deserves an honorary mention for that!

Performances in this film are ones to be treasured for life. All  the characters seemed to be tailor made for their roles.Hrithik Roshan as Arjun shows a rare sight of his acting talent which is far from the larger than life characters he is used to play. The transformation from a money minded snob to a carefree guy is so smooth and believable that it would go down as one of his most nuanced and effortless performance having command over both dramatic and comic sequences..Take a bow Mr Roshan,you are as convincing as a common man as you were as a superhero which speaks volumes of your acting capabilities.  

Farhan  Akthar as Imran is a complete revelation and brings the maximum laughs with his impeccable comic timing  and husky dialogue delivery. As a guy who may seems to be very happy go lucky and a flirt from outside but deep routed  inside, Farhan is quite natural and  sure to increase his fan following after this movie. .

Abhay Doel as Kabir pitches in one of his most restrained performance and is a perfect anchor of the group providing the much required calmness and stability to the interactions.The dilemma of a confused bachelor has been perfectly showcased by him with a rare subtlety.

Katrina Kaif for once has been completely sync with her character and portrays cheerful and full of life Laila with utmost conviction. Kalki Kochien as nagging and possessive fiance does full justice to her role. Naseerudin Shah leaves his mark in a impressive cameo.Rest of the cast provies able support.

Some movies  are meant to be enjoyed till they last while some are meant to be cherished for lifetime and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara belongs to the second catagory. Watch it for the mesmerizing performances, foot tapping music,fresh storyline, skillful direction and above all the message it conveys without ever preaching once that life is ment to be enjoyed and lived sans any fears. Missing this would be a crime as such films come once in a blue moon.Without a shadow of doubt the best film this year. Highly Recommended!


Rating:- ****1/2