The last time that the extremely talented, versatile and the highest paid director of his times, Rajkumar Santoshi, tried his hand at comedy, the result was the iconic cult classic ANDAZ APNA APNA, starring two relative newcomers, Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.
The film may not have set the box office on fire like his hard hitting, action flick, GHAYAL, but till today it remains a favourite of young and old alike. Music has always been a highlight of Santoshi's films and it will not be wrong to say that he is one of the pioneers of item/ dance numbers in films.
Who can forget, 'Chamma Chamma' (CHINA GATE), 'Aaiye' (GHATAK) and 'Aisa Jadoo'(KHAKEE) from his films? And with numero uno composer Pritam weaving his magic, along with his ever dependable lyricist, Irshad Kamil, we know that the music department is in safe hands and one can expect lots of chartbusting music, especially in view of the fact that audio giants, Tips Films are producing this romcom.
So, as expectations galore, let's check out the music of this Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif starrer, both of whom have always been associated with good quality music.
Snatches of 'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri' in the teasers of APKGK where enough to indicate that there is chartbuster on its way and sure the first song that kicks off the album is the one that will rock for quite sometimes, as Pritam's chart toppers always do.
Like the title track of RDB's KAMBAKKHT ISHQ, this number too goes down the same line, the extremely hummable 'mukhda' 'Kuch yaar nazar nahin aata, Ghar baar nazar nahin aata, Sansar nazar nahin aata, Jab pyaar hota hai.' K.K is the right choice for a song which is mostly sung in high pitches, the 'mukhda' as well the 'antara', in order to convey the deep, passionate love of the protagonist.
And item queen, Sunidhi is as always in her elements and the presence of 'Ek Glassy' Hard Kaur, the Punjabi rap queen from UK, enhances the success quotient of the song. The track will definitely set the screens on fire and will ensure another hit track for the new super star in the making, Ranbir Kapoor, and number one actress, Katrina Kaif.
'Main Tera Dhadkan Teri Remix' by DJ Suketu just focuses on heightened tempo and rhythm and the original was already too racy and needed no remixing at all.
Its Hard Kaur's show all the way as the gritty rap queen comes out all guns blazing in her version, 'Follow Me'. Pritam had done it earlier with Snoop Dogg in SINGH IS KINNG and this time he chooses the irrepressible Hard Kaur, who not only renders the composition in her trademark rap style but also pens some situational lyrics which are full of attitude. Music arrangement wise this song is certainly the best with some of the funkiest guitar strummings and the infectious synthesized background rhythm.
Atif Aslam and Pritam set many a romantic heart fluttering with 'Pehli Nazar Mein' (RACE), but 'Tu Jaane Na' is more like those 'sufi' based love ballads that Pritam composes for the Bhatt-Emraan ventures.
The song features as many as four times in the album. The first or the simple version is sung by Atif Aslam. And this too is a pale shadow of what Pritam successfully churns out for the Bhatts, and the song refuses to grow despite repeated hearings.
Atif tries hard but fails to impress and may be Javed Ali would have done more justice to the number. The composition (mainly due to its tune, especially in the chorus) sounds more like a devotional number rather than a song of separation and longing.
The 'Tu Jaane Na Remix' version (by DJ Suketu) sung by Atif Aslam is certainly more peppier and the slow drawl tune of the original gives way to a faster rhythm.
The third version, 'Tu Jaane Na-Reprise' by Soham, Rana Mazumadar and Ashish Pandit is a touch more likable; thanks to some lovely singing by the talented artists and the Indian musical instruments used in the song lend a touch of authenticity to it.
And there is not an iota of doubt that the 'Tu Jaane Na Unplugged' version by the talented trio of brothers Kailash Kher, Naresh and Paresh is simply the best and all credit to Kailash and company for the earthy flavour imparted to the number, which sounds good without too much instrumentation.
As the song 'Oh By God' opens with a line from the modified version of Kishore Kumar's evergreen classic 'Eena Meena Deeka' followed by electronic 'shehnai' music used during marriage ceremony, one looks forward to a zany entertainer.
However, the song turns out to be another average dance number that relies too much on addendums without the support of a good tune, so it fails to impress despite massive efforts to pump up the volume by king and queen of dance numbers, Mika and Sunidhi. And may be keeping that in mind, thankfully there is no remix of this cacophony.
The film swings like a pendulum; at one moment, it takes off and at another, it just drops. The track between the gangster (Zakir Husain) is uncalled for and lengthens the movie unnecessarily. As for the track with Rahul (Upen Patel), it's very, very long.
Just one question to Ranbir Kapoor and the people who have marketed this film: was it necessary to time the break-up story (if at all it is true) with girlfriend Deepika Padukone a few days before the release? I mean, C'mon, Ranbir can get the audience into the theatres on the strength of his performance. He does not need cheap publicity gimmicks to create a buzz about the film. On second thoughts, maybe Ranbir had no choice but to play to the market and make sure the film capitalized on the 'initials'. Love be damned.
Darshan Jariwala, Govind Namdeo and Zakir Husain have come up with the most unconvincing performances in recent times. Stuck with a poorly etched character, they find it difficult to move beyond first gear and stutter and stop at most times. At best, you can label their characters silly. All three are very good actors, mind you. Ranbir Kapoor, stuck with the same formula, (poorly etched character) comes up trumps. His role, too, has neither meat nor meaning, yet, he manages to blaze through on the sheer power of his acting abilities.
This kid has star power written all over him. Even the silliest scenes he turns on the top of its head. You cannot help but marvel at the ease with which he consumes his lines; so much passion for even a dead role.
CHECK OUT: 'Prem' ki ghazab kahani…
Yes, that's what Raj Kumar Santoshi's latest offering is. Prem (Ranbir Kapoor) runs Happy Club along with his friends. Their motto is simple; keep everyone happy and help lovers in distress. As president of the club, Prem and his gang go to any length to make sure two lovers get married. Even if it means getting the one he loves Jennifer, (Katrina Kaif) married off to the one she loves.
There are enough comic situations to justify that this is a comedy but not enough substance to validate the overemphasis on love. In the end, it's more a masala flick than a comedy.
But thanks to Ranbir, this film becomes bearable and there are moments he has you in his grasp, either with his performance or simply by his sheer presence. Katrina Kaif looks pretty as usual and has done a good job. However, I get a feeling that she has been miscast in this role. But when you look at it from the distributors and marketing point of view, this is a super jodi. I'm sure we will see more of them together.
The film swings like a pendulum; at one moment, it takes off and at another, it just drops. The track between the gangster (Zakir Husain) is uncalled for and lengthens the movie unnecessarily. As for the track with Rahul (Upen Patel), it's very, very long.
Just one question to Ranbir Kapoor and the people who have marketed this film: was it necessary to time the break-up story (if at all it is true) with girlfriend Deepika Padukone a few days before the release? I mean, C'mon, Ranbir can get the audience into the theatres on the strength of his performance.
He does not need cheap publicity gimmicks to create a buzz about the film. On second thoughts, maybe Ranbir had no choice but to play to the market and make sure the film capitalized on the 'initials'. Love be damned.
