0 Bittoo Boss : Music Review

Mika's 'Bittoo sab ki lega's groove gets you hooked, but - its the new low Bollywood has found for the sake of few days of fame. Thanks to DK Bose's success and our poor rating system, no one bothers to re-think before making such thing. Kaun Kenda is a predictable, inspired from ShukraanAllah - yet lovely because of Sonu+Shreya. Next Kich Lag Gayi is a 'bhel puri' of all the hit 'punju' material, foot tapping -yes, new - no. Audi (Tenu Tak De) starts on average note, but ends as addictive hip hop punjabi mix. Mika's second track Kabootar - duh, what was that Raghav?? Composer Gajendra Verma's Man Jaage comes as relief. Shahid Mallya's smooth vocals does the trick.

Overall, a passable soundtrack that must work for the movie. But what's with too much of Punjabi Lyrics? Isn't this a Hindi movie?

Tags: Bittoo boss, bittu boss, bitu boss, music, songs, review, movie, bituu, boss, songs review, tracks, pulkit samrat, amita pathak

0 Something about Ekla Cholo Re and Kahaani

Just when I was in love with the movie, in love with the song, I get to hear the original [means originating from the land, by people, where the song belongs to] 'Ekla Cholo Re'. Frankly speaking, till date I had not heard any of the versions except one from Rahman's OST for Bose : The Forgotten Hero In that one, only two lines were used. But this time - after hearing 5 different versions, it makes me feel that the one featured in Kahaani - sung by Amitabh Bachchan is not upto the mark - that the legendary song deserves.

Why Mr Bachchan as the singer, that's the first question. Personally, I feel Sujoy needed a big name to be associated with the film. And how bigger can it get, but Big B himself singing a song for a film he is not featuring into? That must be the reason. Now, my question is - why him, and no other Bong artist who has lived this song throughout his life. I don't know any bong male singers who could have done better job here, but checkout the first version I have posted in below playlist - by Shreya Ghoshal. So soothing and flawless singing and perfect pronunciations. Yes, the pronunciations is a problem with Big B's version. Even a non-bong like me could identify that glitch, imagine rage of Bong people who love this song like anything else. And about that mish-mash of English and Hindi lyrics, I am fine though with that thing, but I feel it steals the soul, making it rather a peppy version. On the otherside, checkout Usha Uthup's version and how smoothly it transcends into both Bengali and English.

Here are versions by Shreya Ghoshal, Usha Uthup, Lopamudra Mitra, Kishore da and Suchitra Mitra. Please listen to it and let me know whats your view about this. (This is a playlist, hit 'next' button for next video)

Thanks @mittermaniac for recco of these wonderful versions of Tagore's masterpiece. 

1 Call Me Rashid : Music (album) Review

As I assumed, guitarist Rashid Ali's album is (of course) Guitar heavy. Lovely strings in most of the tracks. Album starts off with Faraaz's classic Jin ke dum se- originally composed by Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan, with refreshed arrangement by Rashid, sounds engaging. Though it seems Rashid's accented prounounciations works against him, but later on, repeated listens made me love the track because of that. Except this one (and Ayrilik) all the tracks are composed by Rashid Ali and penned by Raqueeb Alam. Next Parda Parda has that Turkish flavor and addictive beats. Raqueeb's words does the trick. Totally addictive one. Lyrics are highlight here.

Starting off with Bangladeshi singer Faria Chaudhary, Ayrilik (means Seperation) is a haunting folk song from Azerbaijan. With addition of Urdu lyrics to the original, and 'Rahman'isq arrangements the track sucks you into it easily. While Saahil Hai Kinara is has that lazy, cozy feel into it. An old time pop ballad stuff, made special by strings and vocals of Rashid. Lovely lilting tune.  That repeats as an Instrumental reprise too. Reminds his similar works from films. Next Soch Zara has an uplifting tune, this is I feel, is the weakest one from the album. Or may be, I will like it on more listens, its just that by the time I reach this track, I have already listened much of Rashid's voice. (The standard problem of a solo album).

Another guitar led track that comes in two versions - Something on Your Mind and Sookhi Nadi. Former is in English, penned by Rashid, later one is in Hindi/Urdu.  Wonderful vocals in both the tracks. What arrangements in both ! Zarra Zarra is the one I haven't listened as much as other tracks. May be its the unlimited loops of same phrase in the beginning of track that made me skip. Have listened similar tune somewhere (by Rahman), may be, don't know. 

The album has three instrumental tracks too. Baila - as the name suggests, is based on Baila genre. Perfect Latino sound with almost non-stop strings. While mentioned earlier, lovely Saahil Hai Kinara Hai has instrumental version too. While the third one, Tears of Joy has traces of Soch Zaraa, in slower tempo that sounds good over the original track. And lastly, we have this 'remix' version of Kabhi Kabhi Aditi. A shorter one, with minimal arrangements, I am in love with this charming song, all over again. 

Thanks to A R Rahman, who gave platform for such a fantastic album. All the tracks has that international quality, fantastic arrangements and quality stuff. I am not surprised if Rashid Ali  comes up with a full fledged movie score. But I will be pleased if he continues to shine in Indipop scene that is getting revived these days. 

My Favorites : Parda Parda, Saahil Hai Kinara, Jin ke Dum se, Ayirilik

Tags: Call me rashid, download, buy, album, rashid ali, rahman, km music, rashid ali, kabhi kabhi aditi remix

0 Kahaani : Movie Review

Vidya does it again. Yes, she is the star of the show all over again. But this time, she's not alone - a powerful, strong and riveting narration that boasts of a killer touch by Sujoy Ghosh - accompanies Kahaani to make a masterful work. Hats off to the writing team Sujoy, Suresh Nair and Advaita. Another star of the movie is Kolkota. Never have I seen such detailed, such dedicated frames for the city of joy. Colorful, crowded, alive and mysterious - Kolkota drives the movie when no one else is there to do so.

All of you know the storyline - pregnant Vidya Bagchi comes Kolkota to find her missing husband only to find twists, tales and surprises on her journey. Vidya shines through out her role as a lady who often is determined, often broken and often charming. She changes color so smoothly and so perfectly, it surprises the viewer like anything else. Its always a delight to see her on silver screen. Oh, and did I mention her little little moments on the screen when she interacts with children - lovely.

Rana - the police officer who helps Vidya on her quest - played by Parambrata Chaterjee - is a find for Hindi films. He charms you with his act that often is endearing and mostly perfect to the core. Actually, the characterization is so perfect that it is hard to forget just any face we see through out the movie. Be it the (scary) Contract killer, charming little kid in the guest house - Vishnu, the IB guys, IB head and even the five minutes appearance of Chaiwallah ladka. Nawazzuddin Sheikh perfects his part of an IB agent bound by duty.

I knew there will hardly be any songs in this out and out thriller. But still, Vishal Shekhar's score totally complements the spirit of the movie. Even though there are only bits used in the movie. On the other hand, background score is by Clinton Cerejo !! He totally makes it a goosebumpy affair with his dark tunes. Superb work. And Oh My God the climax - the sounds of Durga Puja - makes it more intense.

See, how gibberish my review is - it happens, when a movie occupies my mind so much that its hard to put the words together. Phew.. do not - DO NOT miss this 'Mother of a Story' - Kahaani. Hats off Sujoy Babu.

Tags: Kahani, movie review, kahaani, vidya bagchi, balan, bida, sujoy ghosh, Bob Bishwas, Sashwata chaterjee, darshan jariwala, indraneil, who is vidya's husband in kahaani,