My Life : Food, Music, People, Bakar

2007 : Best Dance Numbers

2008-01-06T04:25:00.000-08:00

I have divided the dance numbers into two genres. And then ranked them seperately
A. Party Dance Numbers
B. Hip-Hop

Category A - Party
Rank - Song Name - Movie
1) Deewangi Deewangi - Om Shanti Om
2) Sajna Ji Wari Wari - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
3) Bhool Bhulaiya - Bhool Bhulaiya
4) Dard-E-Disco - Om Shanti Om
5) Mauja Hi Mauja - Jab We Met
6) Hey Baby - Hey Baby
7) It's Rocking - Kya Love Story Hai
8) Jhoom Barabar Jhoom - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
9) Soni De Nakhre - Partner
10) Mast Kalandar - Hey Baby

Category B : Hip-Hop
Rank - Song Name - Movie
1) Rahem Kare - Cash
2) Move Your Body - Johny Gaddar
3) Ab To Forever - Ta Ra Rum Pum
4) Na Poochho - Cash
5) Naughty Naughty - Cash
6) Mahiya - Awarapan

A few more songs that deserve a mention but could not make it to the rankings :
· Yeh Dooriyan - Fool N Final
· Unke Nashe Mein - Shootout At Lokhandwala
· Yara Dhol Bajake - Dhol
· Dilruba - Namaste London
· Nach Le Soniye - Dus Kahaniyan

2007 : Best Soundtracks

2008-01-04T00:39:00.000-08:00

The parameters based on which these rankings have been arrived at are as follows :
1) Variety of Songs in the album - An album that has a mix of Melody, Dance, Love Songs etc. would be rate higher than an album having all good songs but of the same genre
2) Number of Good Songs in the album - How many good tunes are there in the album is also an important factor. An album having one exceptionally good song would be rated lower than an album having all good songs
3) Background orchestra on the songs - It's not just about the song's tune. Song's orchestration and packaging also makes a difference
4) Commercial success of the Soundtrack - An album that had good songs but went totally unnoticed has not been ranked very highly. I'll be mentioning them in a seperate blog

Ranking Movie Name
1 Om Shanti Om
2 Life In A Metro
3 Khoya Khoya Chand
4 Jab We Met
5 Guru
6 Salaam-E-Ishq
7 Namaste London
8 Sawariya
9 Taare Zameen Par
10 The Train
11 Dus Kahaniyan
12 Just Married
13 Awarapan
14 Cash
15 Bhool Bhulaiya

A few soundtracks that had really good songs but could not make it to the rankings :
· Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
· Chak De India
· Hey Baby
· Anwar
· Dhokha
· Dil Dosti Etc
· Manorama
· Shootout At Lokhandwala

2007 : Bollywood Music Rankings

2008-01-04T00:19:00.000-08:00

I’ve just started this new series of my blogs.

I’ll be rating the Hindi Film Music that released during 2007 under various categories and parameters.

Your feedback is always welcome.

Sawariya : Music Review

2007-11-29T14:47:00.000-08:00

Music Director : Monty Sharma
This guy used to work under Ismail Darbar as an Assistant. He had met Sanjay during HDDCS and Devdas.
Lyricist : Sameer

Tracks in alphabetical order :

Chhabeela : A pretty average track. Lyrics aren’t great either. The song would have sounded better if someone with a naughty voice had sung it. Alisha could have done it better. Asha Bhosle would have been the perfect choice.
Daras Bina Chain Nahin : I couldn’t bear the track beyond 1:30 minutes. Simply shouting Sawariya / Allah wouldn’t help the track. I found it sensible enough to move on to the next track.
Jaan-e-Jaan : A decently melodious track. The song goes up and down at regular intervals. The song becomes really soft for the last two lines of each stanza. This is something really different tried by Monty. But I doubt if this song has much of a repeat value.
Jab Se Tere Naina : One of my favourite tracks of the album. A typical Shaan track. After a long time I’m hearing Dhafli being played in the background of a song. Good job Monty!
Masha Allah : Nice lyrics, Kunal Ganjawala has sung the song well. But he sounds too nasal at several places. That’s second good composition of the Album.
Pari : Kunal Ganjawala gets to sing once again. Not impressive.
Sawar Gayi : Shreya Ghoshal deserves all credit for this one. Though it isn’t a great song by any standards, but her sweet and melodious voice made me hear the whole song. By the time the song ended, I’d started liking it a little more than earlier.
Sawariya : Everything about this song is EXCELLENT. Be it the guitar chords at the beginning or the chorus sounds or the lyrics. The composition is really beautiful. But if there is one individual to whom the song really belongs, it is debutante Shail Hada. He’s done a marvelous job. This is the first time I’ve heard some good yoodeling after Late Kishore Da. The best song of the album. So let’s sing - Sawariya ha ha ha ha.
Sawariya (Reprise) : This is an unplugged version of the song. The focus is more on vocals and Shail Hada doesn’t disappoint here either. The lyrics are also re-written for this version. Observe the control he has over his voice in the last line of the Mukhda.
Thode Badmash : Shreya seems to be the favourite singer of Monty. A nice melodious composition. The composition has a flavour of Bairi Piya (Devdas).
Yun Shabnami : This song has the most variations (rather surprises). In the beginning you’ll feel like you’re listening to another soft and soulful number. But soon the song picks a little pace. Then you hear a beautiful jugalbandi of Violin and Sitar. Then the song turns into a qawwali. Finally the song ends the way it started - a soft and soulful number. Good work!!! Sheer Talent!!!

Monty has done a splendid job. The whole album isn’t upto the mark. But there are some really good compositions.
Monty’s made a mark and he’s here to stay.

Rating : 3/5

Om Shanti Om : Music Review

2007-10-11T04:18:00.000-07:00

As promised in my previous blog, here comes a Music Review of Om Shanti Om.

The tracks (in alphabetical order) :

Ajab Si : A great piece of melody composed by Vishal-Shekhar. They have proved that they aren't good in just that Hip-Hop genre. KK as usual has sung well. The surprise here is the lyrics by none other than Vishal Dadlani (the composer) himself. Even though he's been a lyricist for quiet a while now with credits like Tere Ishq Mein (Supari), Ek Nazar Mein Bhi, Mumbai Nagariya and Meter Down (Taxi No. 9-2-11), Kiss of Love (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom). This is definitely his best work till date.

Dard-E-Disco : The track starts with an Arabic touch. Sukhwinder impresses once again with this high-pitched song. This song would definitely rock the parties / clubs and discotheques for the next couple of months. Though the lyrics aren't great - "Dil Todh Gaya Mooh Modh Gaya, Woh Pichhle Mahine Ki Chhabbis Ko." But Javed Akhtar did mention in an interview that the lyrics have been written considering the plot of the movie and the situation of the song.
Dard-E-Disco (Remix) : No comments on the remix. Just added some pace to the song with a few English lyrics here and there.

Dastan-E Om Shanti Om : This song would definitely remind you of Ek Haseena Thi from Karz. Hats off to the lyrics by Javed Akhtar. The lyrics are so good, you feel like someone’s narrating a story to you. The other two good narrative songs which I can recall are Mere Paas Aao Mere Doston (Mr. Natwarlal) and Ek Haseena Thi (Karz).

Dastan (Remix) : A remix again. No comments.

Deewangi : Shaan and Udit Narayan team up yet again to deliver this foot tapping number after the Title Song of Partner. Female voices couldn't have been better than the husky Sunidhi and melodious Shreya. Farah Khan kept up to her promise and gave a chance to Rahul Saxena of Indian Idol 1 (though he gets to sings just one line - last line of second stanza). My favourite part of the song - "All the Cool Boys Come On Make Some Noise And Sing Om Shanti Om" in Sunidhi Chauhan's voice.

Deewangi (Remix) : Another remix.

Dhoom Tana : The moment the song starts, you'll start visualising Jeetendra dancing with Jayaprada/Sridevi on a beach side/hillock with Gulal flying all over the place. The song has that trademark tempo of Bappi Lahri compositions - Naino Mein Sapna (Himmatwala), Ek Ankh Maroon To Rasta Ruk Jaye (Tohfa). The sounds of Dhol and Ghungroo run throughout the song in background, it fades a bit for the first two lines of each stanza and then suddenly comes back like a traditional Punjabi folk song. The bit sung in chorus - "Dhoom Tana Tanum Ta Na Na Na Na" is also nice. And yes, do observe the pace the track picks for the last 42 seconds. It's that typical Dhol sound heard in Panju marriages. Abhijeet and Shreya Ghoshal are perfect voices for this track.

Jag Soona Soona Lage : Amazing poetry by Javed Akhtar once again. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's voice has a magical touch, you'll always feel like listening to the song one more time. And I'm sure it's gonna run in the Movie's background many times like Rahat's earlier songs - Mann Ki Lagan (Paap), Jiya Dhadak Dhadak (Kalyug), Bol Na Halke Halke (Jhoom Barabar Jhoom) and Main Jahan Rahoon (Namaste London).

Main Agar Kahoon : Sonu Nigam is undoubtedly the best singer in Bollywood today. And he proves it yet again with this song. He has carried the song so well without any great instrumentation except for a light sound of Piano. Shreya Ghoshal also joins in the second stanza. When it comes to melodious duets nobody can beat these two (of the current breed of singers), be it Piyu Bole and Kasto Maza (Parineeta), Pal Pal Har Pal (Lage Raho Munnabhai), Janeman (Aryan).

Om Shanti Om (Medley) : This is like a trailer of the album. The transition from one track to another has been done beautifully by Vishal-Shekhar.

Om Shanti Om (Theme Music) : This one is a small one lasting just 57 seconds. But it's the same tone that you hear in almost all the songs in the Album.

Vishal-Shekhar have done a really done a great job. I would rate this as one of the Best Albums of 2007.

Rating : 4/5

Vishal-Shekhar...

2007-09-30T05:02:00.000-07:00

I have always loved the music of Vishal Shekhar and wanted to write a blog on them.

Their music has amazing melody coupled with heavy westernized orchestration. Shekhar is a trained Indian Classical Singer. On the other hand, Vishal is the lead singer of Mumbai-based Rock Ban Pentagram. Hence, their music is a combination of Indian Classical and Western Rock.

The kind of instrumentations they use can only be beaten by A.R. Rahman in Bollywood Music Industry.

A few (FEW... a pretty long list) of my favourite tracks composed by the Vishal-Shekhar duo :

Allah Ke Bande - Waisa Bhi Hota Hai
Sajna Aa Bhi Ja - Waisa Bhi Hota Hai
Dus Bahane - Dus
Deedar De - Dus
Right Here Right Now - Bluff Master
Say Na Say Na - Bluff Master
Rahem Kare - Cash
Na Poochho - Cash
Mind Blowing Mahiya - Cash
Cash (Title Track) - Cash
Zindagi Mein Koi Kabhi - Musafir
Ishq Kabhi Kariyo Na - Musafir
Saqi - Musafir
Tu Ashiqui Hai - Jhankar Beats
Dil Ne Tumko - Jhankar Beats
What’s Going On - Salaam Namaste
Subah Subah - I See You
Kehna Hai Jo - I See You
Kyon Aage Peechhe - Golmaal
Golmaal (Title Track) - Golmaal
Aazmale Aazmale - Taxi No. 9-2-11
Ek Nazar Mein Bhi - Taxi No. 9-2-11
Bumbai Nagariya - Taxi No. 9-2-11
Meter Down - Taxi No. 9-2-11
Musu Musu - Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
Woh Pehli Baar - Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi
Yeh Hai Meri Kahani - Zinda
Har Saans - Zinda
Zinda Hoon Main - Zinda
Tinka Tinka - Karam
Saiyan - Ta Ra Rum Pum
Ab To Forever - Ta Ra Rum Pum
Hey Shona - Ta Ra Rum Pum
Sajna Ji Wari Wari - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Halke Halke - Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

I just wish they continue giving such wonderful music which is a treat for the ears of all music lovers.

Their latest album Om Shanti Om also has fabulous music. I’ll be writing another blog on it soon.

So keep waiting !

Ekta Mein Anekta

2007-03-20T14:41:00.000-07:00

(The Sister Humming)
Hmmm
Hind Desh

Hmmm
Hum Sabhi Ek Hain

Ta Ra Ra Ra Ra
Bhasha Anek Hain

Hmmm
Bhasha Anek Hain

Hmmm

(Brother Comes)
Yeh Anek Kya Hai Didi?

(Sister)
Anek Yani Bahut Sare

(Brother)
Bahut Sare
Kya Bahut Sare?

(Sister)
Achha Batati Hoon

(Sister Commentary)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek
Tare Anek

(Brother)
Taron Ko Anek Bhi Kehte Hain?

(Sister)
Nahin Nahin Dekho Phir Se

(Sister Starts Singing)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek
Ek-Ek-Ek Karke, Tare Bhaye Anek

(Brother)
Theek Se Samjhao Na Didi

(Sister)
Dekho-Dekho Ek Gilahri
Peechhe Peechhe Anek Gilahriyan

Ek Titli
Ek Aur Titli
Ek-Ek-Ek Karke, Ho Gayi Ab Anek Titliiyan

(Brother)
Samajh Gaya Didi
Ek Ungli
Anek Ungliyan

(Sister)
Haan

(Brother)
Didi-Didi Woh Dekho Anek Chidiya

(Sister)
Anek Chidiyon Ki Kahani Sunoge?

(Brother)
Haan-Haan

(The Sister Singing)
Aa aa aa
Ek Chidiya
Ek-Ek Karke, Anek Chidiyan
Dana Chugne Aayi Chidiyan

(More Friends)
Didi Humein Bhi Sunao Na

(Sister)
To Suno Phir Se
Ek Chidiya
Anek Chidiyan
Dana Chugne Baith Gayi Thi

Hai Ram
Par Wahan Byal Ne Ek Jaal Bichhaya Tha

(Brother)
Byal, Byal Kaun Didi?

(Sister)
Byal, Chidiya Pakadne Wala

(Brother)
Phir Kya Hua Didi?
Byal Ne Unhein Pakad Liya?
Maar Dala?

(Sister)
Himmat Se Gar Jut Rahe To
Chhote Ho Kar Mil Rahe To
Bada Kaam Bhi, Ho Gaye Bhaiya
Bada Kaam Bhi, Ho Gaye Bhaiya

Ek-Do-Teen

Chatur Chidiyan
Sayani Chidiyan
Mil Julkar
Jaal Lekar
Bhagi Chidiyan

Phurrr

Door Ek Gaon Ke Paas Chidiyon Ke Dost Choohe Rehte The
Aur Unhonein Chidiyon Ka Jaal Kaat Diya

To Dekha Phir Tumne
Anek Jab Ek Ho Jate Hain
To Kaisa Maza Aata Hai

(Brother Closing Fist)
Didi Main Bataoon?
Ho Gaye Ek
Ban Gayi Takat
Ban Gayi Himmat

(Friends)
Didi Agar Hum Ek Ho Jayein To Bada Kaam Kar Sakte Hain?

(Sister)
Haan-Haan, Kyun Nahin?

(Brother)
To Is Pedh Ke Aam Bhi Todh Sakte Hain?

(Sister)
Haan Todh Sakte Hain
Par Jugat Lagani Hogi

(Friends)
Achha Yeh Jugat
Wah Bada Maza Ayega

Hahaha
Hahaha

(Sister)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Friends)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Sister)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Friends)
Hind Desh Ke Niwasi Sabhi Jan Ek Hain

(Sister)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Friends)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Sister)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Friends)
Rang-Roop, Vesh-Bhasha Chahe Anek Hain

(Sister)
Ek

(Friends)
Anek

(Sister)
Ek

(Friends)
Anek

(Sister)
Suraj Ek
Chanda Ek

(Friends)
Tare Anek

(Sister)
Ek Titli

(Friends)
Anek Titliiyan

(Sister)
Ek Gilahri

(Friends)
Anek Gilahriyan

(Sister)
Ek Chidiya

(Friends)
Ek-Ek Anek Chidiyan

(Sister)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Friends)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Sister)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Friends)
Bela, Gulab, Juhi, Champa, Chameli

(Sister)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Friends)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Sister)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

(Friends)
Phool Hain Anek Kintu Mala Phir Ek Hai

What is a Ghazal?

2007-03-19T10:51:00.000-07:00

Ghazal in short, is a collection of Shers which follow the rules of Matla, Maqta, Beher, Kafiya and Radif.
So to know what a Ghazal is, it is necessary to know what each of these terms mean.

Sher
It's a poem of two lines. Basically every Sher is a poem in itself. A Sher does not need anything around it to convey the message.

Eg. -
Har Ek Baat Pe Kehte Ho Tum Ki Tu Kya Hai
Tumhi Kaho Ki Yeh Andaaz-E-Guftgu Kya Hai

So Ghazal is necessarily a collection of two-line poems called Sher.

Beher
Beher is the meter of the Sher. Both the lines in a Sher must be of same Beher. And all the Shers in a Ghazal must be of the same Beher.
So Ghazal is a collection of Shers of same Beher.

Eg. -
Apne Hothon Par Sajana Chahta Hoon
Aa Tujhe Main Gungunana Chahta Hoon

Thak Gaya Main Karte-Karte Yaad Tujhko
Ab Tujhe Main Yaad Aana chahta Hoon

Radif
In a Ghazal, second line of all the Shers must end with the same word(s). This repeating common word is the Radif of the Ghazal. This tradition though is not found anymore in modern poetry.

Eg. -
Aaye Hain Samjhane Log
Hain Kitne Deewane Log

Dair-O-Haram Mein Chain Jo Milta
Kyun Jate Maikhane Log

Jaan Ke Sab Kuchh, Kuchh Bhi Na Jaane
Hain Kitne Anjane Log

Log is the Radif here.

Kafiya
Kafiya is the rhyming pattern which all the words before Radif must have.

Eg. -
Samjhane, Deewane, Maikhane, Jaane, Anjane in the example stated above.

Matla
The first Sher in the Ghazal must have Radif in its both lines.
This Sher is called Matla of the Ghazal and the Ghazal is usually known after its Matla. There can be more than one Matla in a Ghazal.

Eg. -
Sarakti Jaye Hain Rukh Se Naqab Ahista-Ahista
Nikalta Aa Raha Hai Aftab Ahista-Ahista

Ahista-Ahista is Radif in the Matla (the first Sher) here.

Maqta
A Shayar usually has an alias. There is generally a Sher in a Ghazal, usually the last one, which has the Shayar’s alias in it.

Mirza Asadullah Khan used Ghalib and is popularly known by that name.

Eg. -
Humko Maloom Hai Jannat Ki Haqeeqat Lekin
Dil Ke Khush Rakhne Ko Ghalib Yeh Khayal Achha Hai

To summarize :
A Ghazal is a collection of Shers (independent two-line poems), in which there is atleast one Matla, one Maqta and all the Shers are of same Beher and have the same Kafiya and Radif.

Few Points To Note :
1. Ghazal is just a form. It is independent of any language. Thus we may have Ghazals in Marathi, Tamil, French or any other language.

2. Some Ghazals may not have any Radif.

3. Although, every Sher should be an independent poem in itself. It is possible that all the Shers are on the same theme.
Eg. - Chupke Chupke Raat Din Aansoo Bahana Yaad Hai.

4. Modern poetry may not have a Maqta at all. Many Ghazals do have a Maqta just for the sake of having it.

Pritam : The Copycat (yet talented) Musician

2007-03-10T15:25:00.000-08:00

Pritam Chakraborty, popularly known as Pritam is an upcoming Bollywood Music Director. The following movies' music is by him :

Dhoom
Gangster
Woh Lamhe
Pyar Ke Side Effects
Garam Masala
Bhagam Bhag
Just Married
Bas Ek Pal
Chocolate
Ankahee
Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai
Apna Sapna Money Money
Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena
Dhoom 2
Hat Trick

“Wow, what a track-record. Consistency ! Phenomenal ! Adbhut !” That’s a natural reaction of any person who doesn’t know him too well.

This guy has been lifting tunes from all over the globe and using them as a shortcut to fame.

When everyone’s blaming Anu Malik for lifting tunes, this guy would definitely surpass him in the race. Just that Anu Malik picked songs like Macarena, Last Christmas and many of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s tracks amongst others (which were too popular in India to be overlooked).

And our guy Pritam has lifted tracks that people might not have heard at all. He seems inspired by Bisleri’s punchline - “PLAY SAFE”

My vocabulary is really poor. But a word I just can't stop using here is Plagiarism.

Plagiarism : Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another artist, and the representation of them as one's own original work. (Source : www.wikipedia.com)

Where I learnt this word from is a story in itself. That would need another Blog on Prof. Sankaran from TAPMI.

So here the list goes for Pritam :

Dhoom Machale (Dhoom) - Mario Takes A Walk (Jesse Cook)
Dil Bole Shikdum (Dhoom) - Sikidim (Tarkan)
Ya Ali (Gangster) - Ya Ghali (Guitara)
Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai (Gangster) - Sacral Nirvana (Buddha Bar)
Lamha Lamha (Gangster) - Kal Shab Dekha Maine (Waris Baig)
Bheegi Bheegi (Gangster) - Prithibi (Mohiner Ghoraguli)
Tu Jo Nahin (Woh Lamhe) - Tu Jo Nahin (Sunny Benjamin John)
Kya Mujhe Pyar Hai (Woh Lamhe) - Tak Bisakah (Peter Pan)
Tell me Is This Love (Pyar Ke Side Effects) - A Mi Manera (Gypsy Kings)
Ada (Garam Masala) - Ana (Amr Diab)
Dil Samundar (Garam Masala) - Kuzu Kuzu (Tarkan)
Chori Chori (Garam Masala) - Hai Rabba (Dr. Zeus)
Bhagam Bhag (Bhagam Bhag) - Hey Mambo (Rosemary Clooney)
Hai Ishq Yeh Kya Ek Khata (Bas Ek Pal) - Arabiyon Ana (Yuri Mrakadi)
Zahreeli Ratein (Chocolate) - Aadat (Jal / Atif Aslam)
Halka Halka Sa Yeh Nasha (Chocolate) - Breeze from Saintes Maries (Jesse Cook)
Bheega Bheega Sa Yeh December (Chocolate) - Bheega Bheega Se Yeh December (Abrar Ul Haq)
Dil Mein Baji Guitar (Apna Sapna Money Money) - Sheloha Shela (Miami Band)
Akhiyan Na Maar (Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena) - Chhalla (Waris Baig)
Jal Jal Ke (Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena) - Arabiyon Ana (Yuri Mrakadi)
Jhoom (Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena) - Joy Of Pepsi (Britney Spears in Pepsi Advt.)

This list might not be exhaustive.

But on the flip side, I really like some of the songs composed by Pritam. He’s given some really good original compositions :

Ankahee - Believe me it was the best album of the Year 2006. Unbelieveably good, unbelievably Pritam and unbelievably original. The songs are really powerful and leave an impact on both your heart and mind. It’s a story told through songs - Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen's short love story. The movie was a disaster at the Box-Office, and hence the music went unnoticed.
Pyar Ke Side Effects - Jane Kya Chahe Man is another composition that touches the heart. All credit goes to Pritam.
Infact what prompted me to write this blog was another song of this movie - Tell Me Is This Love. The song was really nice and I just loved it. Later I found that it was a note-to-note copy of A Mi Manera by Gypsy Kings.Couldn’t forgive him for this one.
Woh Lamhe - Chal Chalein Apne Ghar and Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena are two more really nice compositions by Pritam. James (Bheegi Bheegi - Gangster) has lent his heavy voice to the former song, and it really makes you believe that his potential is being majorly underused in Bollywood.
Just Married - The movie has some really nice peppy numbers like Ram Milaye Jodi and Baat Pakki. Gudgudi needs a special mention here. Pritam’s trademark melody (Ankahee kinds) can be recognized without much effort.
Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai - Sharara Sharara was another song which topped the charts on most of the countdowns for several weeks in a row. The song became so famous that Shamita Shetty is still known as the Sharara Sharara babe.

Pritam was born in a music family. He took his first lesons in music from his father - Prabodh Chakraborty, who runs a Music School for children. He had very keen interest in music right from childhood and had learnt Guitar while still in school.

Pritam does know music and has given some really nice songs to us. He's done a course in Sound-Engineering and also learnt African Music.

High time he stops copying and brings out some original stuff. That'll definitely win him more laurels and awards than what he's been doing till now.

The very reason why Gangster wasn't nominated (according to me) for Filmfare Awards inspite of having such wonderful music was the same. The movie had just one original composition Mujhe Mat Roko. All the remaining songs (Ya Ali, Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai, Lamha Lamha) were copies.

Movie-Review of Ghost-Rider...

2007-03-03T13:29:00.000-08:00

Just like any other Friday we wanted to watch a movie (A new release) on Friday 23rd Feb.

The plan was to watch Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

But then life has it's share of goods and THE bads.

Thanks to :

Ruchi's Trip to Coorg.
Dhruv's enthusiasm to watch (and show) Ghost-Rider.

It was a horrible movie. Well, horrible would also be an understatement.

Remember watching Chandrakanta on DD-1 on Sunday Mornings at 10 AM after The Jungle Book.

The movie was two levels (atleast TWO LEVELS) above Chandrakanta.

The story in brief (Trying to save your time and money, I'm sure you'll feel nice in case you haven't seen the movie) :

A father and his young son work as Stunt-Men in a Circus. One night, the son sees the devil in his dream. The devil tells the son, that his dad is suffering from Cancer and will die in a few days. The Devil says - "If you work for me, I'll cure your Dad's Cancer". The son agrees and signs a treaty with his blood.

Seeing the movie's standard I was expecting some fundoo dialogue from the son.

May be Amitabh's super-hit dialogue from Deewar. "Haan, main sign karoonga, lekin pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao, jisne mera baap ko chor kaha tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne meri maa ko gali deke naukri se nikal diya tha; pehle us aadmi ka sign le ke aao jisne mere haath pe yeh likh diya tha; Uske baad, uske baad, mere bhai, tum jo kagaz pe kahoge us par main sign karoonga."

The next day his father's health is fine But the Devil (Duniya kam harami thode hi hai) makes his father die while performing a stunt. The logic - "I promised to cure your Dad's Cancer, that I did. I didn't say that I won't kill him"

The son, bound by his khooni-hastakshar has to work for the Devil. Akhir Sign jo kiya hai, woh bhi khoon se, lekin woh to sapne mein kiya tha (whatever the logic).

Now the Son (Nicholas Cage) has to work for the Devil as a GHOST-RIDER. Suddenly in the midnight, Nicholas Cage's face is on fire, you can see his skull (only the skull), his bike suddenly grows in size, the tyres are also burning. he's now a Ghost-Rider.

Jab andhera hota hai, aadhi raat ke baad. Nicholas Cage nikalta hai. Ghost-Rider bankar.

He can now do anything :

He can make people turn to ashes in a second.
When he drives his bike through the streets, all buildings around get damaged. The glasses burst, powercuts, etc.
And the roads also have a deep imprint of his bike’s tyres. It becomes like our Intermediate Ring-Road in Bangalore. One side of the road is fine, the other side is a nightmare.

There’s also a scene in which a horse runs faster than the Ghost-Rider’s Bike. You are right, the horse is also on fire.

Overall, the movie was a torture. A definite DON’T WATCH.

Reminded me of Indian Movies/Serials like Chandrakanta, Hatim-Tai, Alif-Laila, Son-Pari, Shaktimaan, etc.

What's in a Name?

2007-03-03T12:26:00.000-08:00

Naam se kya lena kaam dekho yaaron...
So True...
This is just to give credit for my blog's name to Guchhu a.k.a. Vineet, my childhood friend...
Beats anyone on this planet when it comes to humour and contextual one-liners...
So here's a Salaam to Vineet...
And I get going with my first blog...