Lekar Hum Deewana Dil: Music Review

Starring: Armaan Jain & Deeksha Seth

Music Composer: A.R Rahman

Expectations have always been set very high for A.R Rahman music. Unfortunately, we have not seen much of Rahman's compositions as of recently. A.R last produced Raanjhanaa in 2013, and earlier this year Highway in Bollywood. After the Slumdog Millionaire success, A.R has diverted his attention away from Hindi and Tamil cinema and onto Hollywood. Just last month he composed the music for Million Dollar Arm, where we see Mad Men's John Hamm's journey to India to recruit India's finest cricket players for baseball. Needless to say, all the movies mentioned here, regardless of cinema, have been all spectacular.

It is not unusual for Rahman to compose for a smaller movie like, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, because these are just the kinds of small ventures Rahman would usually do. In Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, we see newcomer and supposed grandson of Raj Kapoor, Armaan Jain, merge with Bollywood first timer, semi-seasoned Tamil/Telegu actress, Deeksha Seth, in yet another Bollywood film on the joys of young romance. Basically, this is a soundtrack around the likes of Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na. Coincidentally or not, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil's soundtrack, like Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na's has a song as its namesake, this time from Yaadon Ki Baraat.

Deeksha Seth and Armaan Jain "Maloom"

Lekar Hum Deewana Dil begins with Khalifa featuring A.R Rahman, Shweta Pandit, and Suzanne D'Mello. A.R Rahman definitely draws some influence from M.I.A's portions from Oh Saya from Slumdog Millionaire. This song, however, takes a unconventional, but interesting techno/electronica vibe fused with a middle eastern beat. Rahman's portions and music compositions are on point here as usual, but if I had to name one the downfall of this song would be the contribution of the two female vocalists which are utterly unnecessary. 4/5

The second track on the album, Maloom, one of least memorable songs in Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. This song again feature A.R Rahman, but with Hriday Gatani and Jonita Gandhi. This song has a careless feel is enhanced with light instrumentals like guitar and whistling. Lyrically beautiful and musically simple, this song takes a different route from Khalifa. This is exactly what you would expect to see from a movie like Lekar Hum Deewana Dil. The song does take a slightly annoying quality when an over eager female voice, probably Jonita Gandhi, intrudes. Though is one of the most refreshing songs on the album. 4/5

Pakistani vocalist, Shiraz Uppal vocalizes Ala Hada. This song has a light airy feel like Maloom, but manages to uplift more. This is quite reminiscent of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na's muisc, especially with the guitar, but separates itself into a song with more refined taste. We hear smoother instrumentals like violin and chimes throughout this song, to further blend into the soft tones of Uppal . 3.5/5

One could only guess what kind of song Mawali Qawwali is by the name, but even if you did you would be wrong. Yes, Deeksha Seth is the dancer in Mawali Qawwali. This song by Raghav Mathur and Tanvi Shah is one of the most annoying songs I have heard in a long time. If the first couple seconds don't turn you off initially some banjo mixed with annoying voices with grate at your insides and irritate you to no end. Please don't bother with this one. Too much going on. 1/5

Just the average hike through the forest with the essentials

Beqasoor is Lekar Hum Deewana Dil's only slow romantic duet, skillfully crooned by Nakash Aziz and Sheweta Pandit. There is not really much going in terms of piano instrumentals, all the changes of pace in the two vocalists voice. 3.5/5

When you click on a song titled Tu Shining, you already know its going know its not going to be. This song is heavily populated with English words, sung annoyingly by Hriday Ghattani. This song starts ok, but as it picks up the pace it gets inversely irratating. Not as bad a Malwali Qawwali, but still not good. I only wonder what Rahman was thinking for this one. 3/5

In the end, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil's soundtrack does not live up to A.R Rahman's usual hype. Take the few good songs and leave the horrible songs here. Some songs still have the Rahman magic, but the others definitely do not.

My Picks:  Maloom, Ala Hada, Khalifa, Beqasoor 

Read My Other Reviews:

Ek Villain Music Review

Humshakals Music Review

Raanjhanaa: Music Review

Music Director: A.R Rahman

Starring: Sonam Kapoor & Dhanush

So if you didn't know, A.R Rahman is back in Bollywood with a new soundtrack. It's Raanjhanaa from the makers of Tanu Weds Manu. A.R didn't really leave us with much memorable tracks in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, so I'm hoping this time he fares better.

So Raanjhanaa stars Sonam Kapoor with the Tamil actor, Dhanush. Unfortunately, Abhay Deol makes an extended appearance in the film as well (not a fan). The movie is slated to be released on June 21st. So far the trailers for Raanjhanaa look good, though I am still unsure what the movie is all about. Anyway, lets get down to the music.

Our first song is Raanjhanaa by Shiraz Uppal and Jaswinder Singh- You may remember Uppal from "Roya Re" from Dhoka. It's great to see him back, especially in combination with Jaswinder Singh. It is a very triumphant traditional, feel good song. However, is the title song in the movie, so it does title songs, attachment have like "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. 3.5/5

Next we have Banarasiya sung by mainly Shreya Ghoshal, with contributions from two other female vocalists: Anwesha Gupta, Meenal Jain. This is the sole female folk song with Shreya at the heart. Her voice is sweet and soulful through the highs and lows. The flute and drum instrumentals are beautifully done draw you in. However, the song doesn't have a hook till these instrumentals. 3.5/5

Our main Sufi song of the album is Piya Milenge by Sukhwinder Singh, Sufi Ensemble. A.R combined with Sukhwinder is always a magical combination. Surely everyone recalls Chaiya Chaiya.  Sufi pieces are beautifully laced through this song, while Sukhwinder focuses more with instrumentals for a slight rock feel. 4/5

Ay Sakhi features three female voices taking equivalent parts: Madhushree, Chinmanyi, Vaishali Samant.  This song consists group of women singing and talking with each other. It's not enjoyable to listen to in leisure, but it will probably make sense so where in the movie. I deleted this one. 2/5

Our romantic duet of Raanjhanaa,  Nazar Lagi sung by Rashid Ali, Neeti Mohan, Nakash Aziz. This is one of my favorites on this album. It is a laid back melody complete with slow guitar. I haven't heard Mohan's before, but her voice goes well with Ali's. Every Rahman soundtrack needs a number that really slow and dripping in love, this is it. 5/5

Rabbi Shergill is back in Tun Mun Shudi. The contemporary cool guy solo song, basically is the male counterpart of Banarasiya. It is uplifting and has interesting multilayers of vocals and instrumentals. 4/5

Our slowest number of Raanjhanaa is Aise Na Dekho is sung and composed by A.R Rahman himself. It comes as no surprise that this song sounds sounds good. In the background we have slow jazz beat, but at the same time the songs stays close to the traditional sounds with the instrumentals and the whistling. It almost sounds like an unplugged version. This one an old school charm. 4/5

Rahman loves his instrumental numbers. The Land of Shiva is able to measure up to his past ones. I've always been a huge fan of Rahman's instrumentals. "Ishq Dance" from Jab Tak Hai Jaan and "Liquid Dance" from Slumdog Millionaire were amazing. This one is great. Its suspenseful, with a lot of bell ringing and horn blowing. Its almost as if you were trapped in a chaotic mandir. 4.5/5

Another romantic number Tum Tak by Javed Ali, Keerthi Sagathia, Pooja Vadiyanath excels. Traditional instrumental all the way through, as well as lots of traditional singing techniques. The female voice works well with Javed Ali's in this instance, to give this romantic number a fun, playful feel. There are a lot of hooks and variety to this song. Every time I listen to it I notice something new. 4.5/5

Overall Raanjhanaa is a great soundtrack that gets better as we go through the tracks. Compared to the Bollywood music releasing these days, this is a gold. Good job Rahman!

My Picks: Nazar Lagi, Tum Tak, Tun Mun Shudi, Piya Milenge

Check Out my Other Reviews:

Issaq: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-review-issaq_21.html
Ghanchakkar: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-reviewsghanchakkar.html
Lootera:http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-review-lootera.html
Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani: http://bollywoodbegum.blogspot.com/2013/06/bollywood-music-review-yeh-jawani-hai.html

Comments Welcome!
BB

Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Film Review

Director: Yash Chopra

Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif

So I finally got around to watching Jab Tak Hai Jaan. I know, I'm really really late...NetFlix just added it to their streaming collection, so if you haven't seen it, you should.

Katrina Kaif and Shahrukh Khan in the song "Saans" from JTHJ

Unfortunately this is the last film that Yash Chopra directed before his death last year. Jab Tak Hai Jaan has magic in parts and is aesthetically gorgeous, just look at the picture of Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif above.

I wish more seasoned actresses were featured in this film. We have the young Anushka Sharma (Akira) who plays the role of a struggling reporter trying to do a story on Shahrukh Khan (Samar). Much like her debut film, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Anuksha Sharma still looks too young for Shahrukh Khan. In Jab Tak Hai Jaan, she comes across as an infatuated, immature teenager. Her character matures slightly in the middle, but its not good enough. Anuskha plays the same bubbly, over the top character that we have seen play in other films, like Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl and Band Baaja Baraat. She is a vital character to push the plot, but I don't buy her chemistry with to Shahrukh Khan for a second.

Does this not look like a father and daughter picture? 

So, when Indian Army bomb diffuser Samar lends Akira his jacket, she coincidentally discovers a diary in his pocket telling the story about Samar's lost love, Katrina Kaif (Meera). The love story between Meera and Samar is illustrated to us in a flashback, after Akira dashes a few curses out and speaks about her one night stand.

The love story between Meera and Samar is cutest thing in the movie, and you can see definite chemistry between Kaif and Khan. Shahrukh Khan is charming as Samar, but it is like all the other roles we have seen him in. After he looses his love he acts like his bitter character from Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, and when he is in love he acts like his character from Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham.

Angry Samar versus Romantic Samar

The flashbacks between Meera and Samar are the best parts of the movie. Meera plays a woman who is already in engaged, so it is interesting how the love story plays out. The parts with Akira and Samar don't really catch the attention much. The movie is definitely longer than it should be, especially when the medical drama parts are added into the mix. 

 Jab Tak Hai Jaan  is not the typical love triangle, because it is so obvious who Samar should end up with in the end. Little pieces of  story line aren't believable. How could a snow shoveler/ waiter, suddenly become the top bomb diffuser in the Indian Army.

Shahrukh calmly walking away from a bomb or JTHJ

Why would he agree to take Akira who is bordering on crazy with him on such an important mission? Why does the church Meera goes to always empty? And of course that whole underground dance scene.

The background score is all right. It is not a stellar as you would expect it to be, coming from A.R Rahman. We have Saans and Heer being the best. Jiya Re is also good if you want an upbeat number. A couple of  Yash's enchanting scenes and beautiful cinematography is all you should expect from Jab Tak Hai Jaan. Hopefully Shahrukh Khan's next film is better. 

Much Love,
BB