A Yash Chopra Romance gets a name : Jab Tak Hai Jaan

The much awaited announcement is finally done. In a rather disappointing way - getting hint from Anand Bakshi's hit song from Sholay - the Yash Chopra Romance - starring Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma - is titled Jab Tak Hai Jaan ! 

Well, the poster seems a modified stuff of what the leaked photos were all about. But main star here, in the poster is Gulzar saab's words. Check out for yourself.

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English Vinglish : Music Review

Shilpa Rao and Amit Trivedi's combination hits the perfect chords in Badla Nazara (English Vinglish) instantly. Thankfully, the angrezi lyrics don't annoy here, it rather makes it a superb listen. 'Aflatoon, hai junoon' part is killer. The track repeats as AT as sole singer, works fine as always.  Penned by Swanand Kirkire, Dhak Dhuk has wonderful lyrics which are brilliantly put into the tune by Amit, with Garba beats and flute - this one lingers in your mind for long. Manhattan - is clearly a situational one, yet works with the fast beats and the vocals of Clinton + Bianca Gomes. While Gustakh Dil is a standard, predictable 'pathos by AT' template, sung by Shilpa Rao. Lastly, taking cue from Marathi folk, Navrai Majhi - is a cheerful, foot tapping mix of sounds. Sung by Swanand, his mother Neelambari Kirkire and Sunidhi Chauhan - the track is addictive.

A perfect - verfect soundtrack for the movie. Amit Trivedi continues spreading brilliance with his own - tried tested sounds.

My Picks : Dhak Dhuk, Badla Nazara

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Student Of The Year : Music Review

I don't understand the fascination with the English lyrics to make a song 'happening'. In most of the songs, it kills the mood in this rather mixed bag album of Student of The Year (SOTY). Radha is the perfect example for this. Starting with very interesting piece sung by Shreya, the song picks up with (lame) English lyrics, but its the Vishal's part, the looped 'radha teri chunri...' saves the track and making it an ear-worm. Shreya has done a perfect job here. Oh wait, there is a surprise - Udit Narayan, though as a cameo, he steals the show. Taking cue from prelude of 'Adha Ishq (BBB)', Salim, Shekhar & Sunidhi's Ishq Wala Love is flawless. Ratta Maar - with its 3Idiots inspired lyrics, has interesting tune and use of chorus, making a fine listen. 

Glitch comes in form of The Disco Song. Yes, the Disco Deewane. Some says its superb, some says its not. I am in the later category. The newly added 'pacey beats and other ingredients' work only when the original Nazia Hassan lines appear. While next two tracks Kukkad and Vele - both are just good to play loud in a car, in North India, specifically. Finally, the mashup - a fine mix that doesn't harm much as the last tracks do. 

Can't believe this is the soundtrack of a KJo film ! Vishal-Shekhar has given some great sounds through this year. Here, its opportunity wasted or  performance (producer) pressure ?

My picks : Radha, Ishq, Ratta. 

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Heroine : Music Review

This is time one need to do something about two things : Stop making item songs and Give RFAK a break. No matter both the things work for a moment, but that's it. Halkat Jawani is worth a little bit, because of the use of instruments in otherwise typical item material. While a carbon copy of Yeh Honsla (Dor) - RFAK's Saaiyyan is yet another, RFAK song. Borrowing fast paced beats of Fashion's theme, Main Heroine Hoon has wasted Aditi Singh Sharma's vocals in 'cringy' lyrics. (main heroine hoon..yeah yeah....Oh Come On !) Suspiciously sounding like O Saiyyan (Agneepath) - Khwahishein by Shreya offers better sound. But pick of the lot is Tujhpe Fida that sounds good as long as its being played. Though no shelf life of this track either.

After Fashion (which was a perfect soundtrack for the film) this one by Salim-Sulaiman disappoints by a soundtrack that has nothing notable to offer.

My Picks : Tujhpe Fida

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Barfi ! : Music Review

From the whistle prelude to the accordions throughout the song, Ala Barfi ! takes you back to nostalgia. Heart warming words of Swanand Kirkire, sung by Mohit Chauhan makes you go drool over the track instantly. Reminding you of Kishoreda's mannerisms, Mohit is at his best. And Oh ! There is another version of the song. With different arrangements, this time, by Swanand himself. The thing I couldn't understand is - why is he shouting? Anyways, tune wise, the track is fabulous. Not easy to get it off your head.

Minimal arrangements and laid back, lazy croon of Nikhil Paul George - Main Kyaa Karoon is charming. Penned Ashish Pandit, this one, is standard Pritam template, that works perfectly as always. Vocals of Nikhil is highlight over here. Listen to it again an again, you won't be tired. Third track, Kyon - again has that old world charm. Wonderfully sung by Papon and Sunidhi, the melody is stirring. Not to forget the words that shines through penned by Sayeed Qadri.

Starting with faint aalap by Arijit Singh, Phir Le Aaya Dil (Reprise) assures the awesome ride ahead. This 'ghazal'eque track with tablas on one hand and wonderful orchestration on the other. This one, is just pure bliss. But wait - there is a more serene version of this one. The original - Phir Le Aaya Dil - sung by Rekha Bhardwaj, is an absolute treat with strings of guitar. Both of these are gems of the album.  Pritam does perfect justice to Sayeed Qadri's poetry.

Next, Aashiyaan, is a cheerful one. With 'bouncy' vocals of Shreya accompanied by Nikhil Paul George, the freshness of this peppy track is unavoidable. Last one - Saanwali si raat, is a song that you want to hear in sheer dark night, with all lights switched off. That cuddly-wuddly song you would love to go to sleep while listening to it. Swanand's words scores again, just loved the second para of the song. And Arijit's singing - oh man. In love with the song already.

Pritam, after FKS, again gives a heart warming soundtrack. There is something about the team Anurag+Pritam that always give the best results. Pritam's best till date - Life In a Metro, and now this. The hit maker is hitting the right spots again and again this year. This Barfi is absolutely high on taste that you can't resist.

My Picks : Phir le aaya, Saanwali si raat, Kyon, Ala Barfi !

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Ek Tha Tiger : Movie Review

Salman, and his movies. Except some really bad one, I mostly like them. The fan-boy in me, always cheers for his performance, no matter how heavy masala movie it is. But this - is something different. Kabir Khan's Ek Tha Tiger turned out to be a disappointment for me. Despite of having 'Bhai' on board, the 'yrf'ied screenplay kills the experience that could have been quite a ride. 

Starting off slow (after a prolonged 'introductory fight of Tiger), the story takes ages to build up with even more slower mannerism of Tiger, aka Bhai. Sparks are only there when we see Katrina up there with him. And the chemistry of both provides relief in rather dud developments. They are charming to see together. Few lovely moments between the two (like the ball dance on stage) and then, a predictable twist. And interval. You know, what's going to happen next, in second half. 

And exactly, movie goes to that standard route. with some sight seeing of  'phoren' locales. It leave one wondering, what exactly is the story-line. What is the 'spy's mission'. Ah, forget it. You are watching a Yashraj Movie. Better title this as 'Love Story of a spy'. Slow second half is absolutely cringe-worthy with a daredevil spy falling in love so desperately that he might sacrifice his duties instead for his love. Ah..well. Finally, after half an hour into the film and there is some action. A fantastic chase scene, in which, surprisingly, Katrina outshines Salman. Absolute joy to watch her in such mode. The scene, followed by yet another longer chase, made me think 'oh, finally, now the film is on the right track' and voila !! The movie gets over ! Out of no where, a voice over declares the finale. Man !! If this is it, where is the premises, that was shown in the Trailer?

Salman, is as usual, a charmer without any doubt. With all that goofy acts mixed with action and humour. But here, Katrina impresses the most. Wish there could've been far better screenplay, the efforts of all departments would not go wasted. Even in Kabir Khan's previous - New York, all the candy floss was there, but it ran through a concrete story line, that is missing here. 

Final word : Stuff for die hard fans. Kat-Salman chemistry shines in between flawed storytelling, or the lack of it. Ek Tha Tiger, disappoints. Hoping for a better sequel, outside this production house. 

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