Raja Natwarlal: Music Review

 Music Composer: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Starring: Emraan Hashmi & Humaima Malik

The music of Raja Natwarlal has high expectations from the beginning. The Hindi music album not only has Emraan Hashmi's name behind it, but also South Indian music director, Yuvan Shankar Raja's. To raise the bar even higher the film's namesake the critically acclaimed, Mr.Natwarlal, which had a weighty music score with, Pardesia. Raja Natwarlal, starring Emraan Hashmi and Pakistani actress, Humaima Malik, is a romantic comedy, so expect a fusion of fun and passion. 

Raja Natwarlal's soundtrack begins with Bollywood's favorite singer, Arjit Singh, singing Tere Hoke Rehengay. This song starts slowly at first with a slow piano and slowly melts into slow electronic beats. Our music director sticks with the usual Hashmi style of his former K.K songs, with the "Ooo ooo" that we saw in "Zara Sa" from Jannat 2 and "Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai" from Gangster. This songs toggles between dramatized keyboard, electronic beats, and guitar, and evolves into a Western classical song as the percussion picks up. There is quite a variety of instrumentals in this songs that are brilliantly swirled together with Singh's strong vocals, leaving nothing wanted. A truly unique song. 4.5/5

Yuvan Shankar Raja really brings in the South Indian flavor into Dukki Tikki. This fun dance number is exactly something you would expect to see in a comedy. Expect an interesting video paired with this one. Complete with whistling and horns, this song is one of the more pleasant different sounding songs that Mika Singh has done before. 5/5

The unconventional qawwaliesque number Kabhi Ruhani Kabhi Rumani is by far the best song on the Raja Natwarlal soundtrack. Intricate classical instrumentals pair beautifully Benny Dayal's voice to breathe life into the song. Just like Tere Hoke Rehengay it transforms dramatically, but in a more refined elegance. The slow tabla playing in the back with skillful chimes and piano sets this song apart from the typical qawwali number. 5/5

We have found Raja Natwarlal's item number in Namak Pare. Our music director is again able to offer something new to the table, utilizing popular singers Mamta Sharma and Anupama Amod in a different way. This song fuses Western instrumentals, classical Indian instrumentals, and the classic South Indian song. Anupama's voice works well to complement Mamta Sharma's voice, although he doesn't get much in. From the beginning this song is able to hook the listener. 5/5

The songs of Raja Natwarlal takes an unusual turn with Flip Your Collar Back. It is very catchy, and offers variety like its predecessors, but the hook of the song doesn't seem to work exactly. Perhaps because it gets really gritty and annoying with the "Flip your collar back off to the sides". This song seems like it could potentially turn into a popular dance craze, like Dhinka Chika, but it does not play too lightly on the ears. 2/5

Tere Hoka Rehengay (reprise) is sung by Shweta Pandit. This song tends very acoustic, and the softer beats allow Pandit's voice to shine brighter through. This song is refreshingly a lighter take on the original song, and besides the lyrics is not very similar from the original. As good as, if not better than the original song, this song truly shines as one of the masterpieces of the soundtrack. 5/5

Raja Natwarlal's soundtrack is by far one of the best of this year.The precision of the soundtrack surpasses all of Emraan Hashmi's previous soundtrack With almost every song having the potential to become a hit, this movie should propel further in cinema. Yuvan Shankar Raja does an amazing job of pulling all different types of genres and musical elements together to create a skillfully produced album. 

My Picks:  Kabhi Ruhani Kabhi Rumani, Tere Hoke Rehengay (reprise), Dukki Tikki, Namak Pare, Tere Hoke Rehengay 

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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 

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Zanjeer: Music Review

Music Directors: Chitrantan Bhatt, Anand Raj Anand, Meet Bros Anjan and Ankit

Starring: Priyanka Chopra, Ram Charan, Sanjay Dutt

"Not so most comfortable with this hug"

The Zanjeer remake's marketability is off to a rough start with the introduction of the Telegu actor Ram Charan, however Priyanka Chopra will absolutely be the the saving grace when it comes to bringing in the audiences. The three music composers have a lot on their hands with the Zanjeer soundtrack, as it will be compared to the original. 

Zanjeer begins with Mumbai Ka Hero featuring Mika Singh and Talia Benson. This Chitrantan Bhatt
composition the typical roguish hero song that Mika Singh is popular for with bits and pieces of rap and speaking verses tossed in the middle. Its reminiscent of "Udd Udd Dabangg".  I'm sure that Talia Benson is responsible for the horrible female rap intrusion in the middle. Here's a lyric from it, "Oh my god is that your gun?!! Can I hold it pleeeease???" This song offers nothing new and certainly nothing listenable. 2/5

Pinky: Lesser than Munni
Greater than Sheila

The soundtrack continues with the item number Pinky featuring Mamta Sharma and the Meet Bros. This song falls into the Sheila-Munni item number craze. It lacks anything special and almost sounds like a leftover nineties composition. The lyrics are tasteless. [The song picturized on the left] This Meet Bros Anjan Akit composition is a loser. 2/5

Chitrantan Bhatt composes another song in Zanjeer called Lamha Tera Mera. This romantic song by Wajhi Farooki and Palak Muchhal separates itself from the soundtrack with its lighthearted upbeat flavor. These two are a great duo and work so well together to create a special, uplifting song. 5/5

We have another Ankit Bros composition Kochey Pathan Ki Zubaan (Qawaali). It contains all the necessary elements of a qawaali and even features Sukhwinder Singh along with Shabaab Sabri and the Meet Bros. It sounds very similar to Agneepath remake's qawaali number, Shah Ka Rutba. However, it is a mediocre composition that had the potential to be so much more 3/5

Kaatilana is another item number from Zanjeer, but more retro sounding than the traditional Pinky. Shweta Pandit sings her heart out against the disco beats. This song is situtational could definitely danced at a critical part of the movie and compares to Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai's Parda Hai Parda.  2.5/5

The Proper Way to Catch Criminals
Dance In  High Heeled Boots and Shorts

The third item number is Shakila Banoo exclusively features Shreya Ghoshal. Composer Anand Raj Anand knows how to bring in a unique flavor while blending old school with new school, and urban with rural. Ghoshal's voice is naughty enough to pull off this number. Shakila Banoo is high in spice, bringing in various instruments like the tabla and harmonium  and really distinguishes itself from the other two item numbers in Zanjeer. 4/5

Thankfully, there is only one remix in Zanjeer that is Kaatilana M.B.A Club Mix. The song is definitely better this time around due to the extra beat that the other version was lacking previously. Who knows what M.B.A stands for here? Hopefully not a degree.3/5

In the end, the Zanjeer soundtrack is mediocre. The plethora of item numbers overwhelms the soundtrack and lowers its quality as a whole.  The composers seem as if they weren't trying to produce anything special and they certainly didn't except for the two outliers below.

My Picks: Lamha Tera Mera, Shakila Banoo 

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Satyagraha: Music Review

Music Composers: Salim-Sulaiman, Aadesh Srivatava, Indian Ocean

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Kareena, Kapoor, Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal

I honestly had no idea about Satyagraha till its music release. Its a pleasant surprise to see that this movie has such a huge star cast for a movie which such a meaningful .  I'm also pretty excited to know that this is  another creation  from the Salim-Sulaiman duo, as well as the other talented composers. Since this is a modern political thriller, my expectations are low about the quality of the music. Expect many many situtational numbers.

The first song on the soundtrack, is the title track, Satyagraha, a twist on the traditional song, "Raghupati Raghav Rajaram".  We can hear various stylistic approaches. At first we hear rock and then the song simmers down into a mellow melody. In the back is a touch of electronica, over the classical singing. Our artists, Rajiv Sundaersan, Shweta Pandit, and Shivam Pathak sound as if they are singing three different songs. This song is interesting approach to a traditional song , but it seems scattered in its initiation . 3.5/5

It seems these days all music composers are concerned with is producing some kind of techno/electronic music. This second song Aiyo Ji falls into this craze. Sharda Pandit gracefully croons this number all the way through, and Salim Merchant comes in at intervals to say "Aiyo Ji Aiyo Ji".  The beat overpowers this song, as well as Salim Mechant's parts. A calmer beat would have been a better alternative. 3/5

Salim-Sulaiman steps aside for a little bit, and lets composer Aadesh Srivatava take over for Raske Bhare Tore Naina. This song saves the Satyagraha with gifted singers, Shafqat Amanat Ali and Arpita. With the delicate vocals and restrained rhythm this song is exactly the beautiful refinement the other two songs were lacking. Complete with pianos and Indian instrumentals, Shafqat Amanat Ali's voice is truly exceptional.  With gorgeous classical intrusion from Arpita in unison with the instrumentals, this song is just perfect. 5/5

Janta Rocks, let's say unexpected, in Satyagraha. While the other songs are somber and serious in quality, this one is strangely upbeat. The Meet Brothers and Keerthi Sangathia team up for this odd number which stretches for an unbearable seven and half minutes. Weird. 2/5

Composed by Indian Ocean, Hum Bole The, is our rally song in our political thriller. Its hard rock, with one of the most interesting guitar arrangements I have heard this year in Bollywood. The singers Rahul Ram, Amit Kalam, and Himanshu sound justly angry and bitter. This song will go well with the political unrest that will be featured in Satyagraha, but it may tend to annoy the listener if listened without the backdrop of the movie. 3/5

Aiyo Ji (Remix) takes the whole techo beat further, and makes it little better. It doesn't really change the outcome of the mediocre quality of the song. Raske Bhare Tore Naina (House Mix) introduces in a techno element as well, taking away from the restrained quality of the first song. The moaning in the beginning doesn't help the case either. 2/5

In the end Satyagraha doesn't really find its footing off screen The music has the potential to work well along with the film, and it is not definitely up to the Salim-Sulaiman par anyone is used to.  The songs escape into the techno realm too often and don't leave a lasting impression.

My Picks: Rakse Bhare Tore Naina, Satyagraha

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