Teen Patti : Music Review
Director: Leena Yadav
Lyrics: Irfan Siddique, Asif Ali Beg and Ajinkya Iyer
Music: Salim Merchant and Sulaiman Merchant
‘Teen Patti’ has created some buzz in tinsel town because of its casting coup of bringing together two legends of cinema; Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley. Teen Patti is a gambling 'n' grilling 'edge-of-the-seat' thrilling entertainer directed by Leena Yadav who had earlier showed her talent in ‘Shabd’. The music of the movie has been composed by talented duo of Salim and Suleiman. The musical scores definitely give clue about what to expect from this ‘dark noir feel’ movie. The background score is haunting and enticing.
The first track of the album ‘Neeyat Kharab Hai’ sets the album on fire. The number has jazzy tunes and appears deceptively alluring. Sunidhi Chauhan has proficiently handled this song that has volatile flows. Lyrics by Irshad Siddique lend adequate weight to the vocal prowess of Sunidhi.
Same song also has a remixed version of it and Abhijit Vaghani has done a great job here. Full of energy, remixed version of ‘Neeyat Kharab Hai’ has adequate glamour quotient.
'Intezar Mein Chupa Kahi' is more of a composition in rock-beat arrangement. Naresh Kamath has effectively made use of his booming baritones in this enthralling background score. Remixed version of this song will find takers among the rock lovers but definitely it is not the finest one in this genre.
The title track 'Teen Patti Ke Ghulam' is more of an average number sung by Salim himself. However the remixed version of the title track will definitely push up the tempo. The remix is more of disco-beat filler.
‘Life is a game’ is all about powerful voice of Big B. It has tangy English lyrics that have been made special by Amitabh Bachchan’s deep-throated baritones. This song has another version of it in the voice of Anoushka Manchanda and Sonia Saigal. The last offering of the album is 'Summertime' that looks more like a song designed to please international audiences.
All in all, the album loyally sticks to the theme of the movie. All the songs are in situational mould and will suit the mood of the viewers while watching the movie.
My Name Is Khan
When it comes to movies directed by Karan Johar, every aspect pertaining to the movie is larger than life. Add to the film, magical combo of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol and you start expecting signs of grandeur. Emotions are the backbone of all the movies of KJo. Remember his tear jerkers like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham and Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna? His latest offering ‘My Name is Khan’ has expectations of entire industry pinned on it. After the December’s blockbuster from another reigning Khan, 3 Idiots, this movie promises to be the harbinger of good times for Bollywood.
My Name is Khan bring together one of the most successful pairs of bollywood, yes, we are talking about Shahrukh Khan and Kajol. The film has been set in the backdrop of USA and seems quite different from previous KJo’s movies. Film’s theme revolves around prevalent ethnic disparities in the USA post 9/11. The music has been composed by Karan’s favorite troika Shankar-Loy-Ehsaan.
Music of the movie has mixed flavors of Sufism, melody and emotion. The album begins with ‘Sajda’ sung ever so beautifully by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Richa Sharma. The song will definitely not give you a feeling of newness yet its passion and poetic adulation will surely impress you.
Adnan Sami, Shankar Mahadevan and Shreya Ghosal have joined together for the next track ‘Noor-e-Khuda’. The song will move you by the sheer force of its profound and desperate pleas. All the three accomplished singers have given their best and song is sure to carve its niche. Ustad Rashid Khan’s has also added further value to the song. He is simply captivating while chanting Allah Hi Rahem.
‘Tere Naina’ has been made beautiful by the voice of Shafqat Amanat Ali. The composition is just brilliant despite the ordinary lyrics. ‘Rang De’ is full of spirit, punch and zest. Shankar Mahadevan does not normally let you down.
The theme of the movie has been composed by Pakistan's popular rock group, Strings. The theme is enchanting and dramatic just the way film is supposed to be. All in all, songs of ‘My Name is Khan’ are no revolution yet immensely likeable.
Striker: Music Review
Director: Chandan Arora
Lyrics: Jeetendra Joshi, Prashant Ingole, Nitin Raikwar, Swanand Kirkire, Gulzar and Blaaze
Music: Shailendra Barve, Amit Trivedi, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Swanand Kirkire, Vishal Bhardwaj and Blaaze
Striker is actually a crime fiction tale about carom player (Siddarth). The movie is supposedly based on a true story and has been fictionalized in the underbelly of Mumbai city. Striker failed to get a decent opening because of perhaps, low promotion and absence of any major profile. The movie was anticipated in certain quarters because of comeback of Siddarth who had managed to win many admirers with his performance in blockbuster ‘Rang de Basanti’.
Talking about music of the movie, it boasts of no less than six different composers the likes of which include Shailendra Barve, Vishal Bhardwaj, Amit Trivedi, Blaaze, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Swanand Kirkire. The album begins with vocal delights of Sonu Nigam’s enriching voice in ‘Cham Cham’. Music has been composed by Shailendra Barve who is known for his prowess over instrumentals. Song has a Sufi flavour it does manage to impress you.
Amit Trivedi has crafted composition for the next song, ‘Bombay Bombay’ that has Prashant Ingole and Siddharth behind the mike. It is more like a narrative background score. Music is just secondary here and it does have the feel to be liked by the listeners.
Up next is ‘Haq Se’ sung by Yuvan Shankar Raja who is a famous music personality in Tamil film industry. More of an offbeat composition, Yuvan has rendered his peculiar baritones to this experimental number. Song conveys dreams and ambitions of the lead protagonist.
‘Maula’ is the next number that has a feel of racy contemporary Sufi Qawwali. Song gives the lyricist Swanand Kirkire ample opportunity to showcase his vocal strength. Vishal Bhardwaj is next with his soothing ad compassionate voice in ‘Yun Hua’. Lyrics will definitely strike you and no prizes for guessing the name of the lyricist. Yes, it’s again the magical combo of Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar.
‘Pia Saanvara’ has been sung beautifully by Sunidhi Chauhan in low octaves. A soft number, it is more like a feel good song with elements of classic music in it. The album finishes with ‘Aim Lagaa' by Blaaze. A typical Blaaze number that has elements of rap and hip-hop. All in all, the album definitely has some quality and the talented ensemble of composers lend it a ‘different’ touch.