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.
Paa
One of the most appreciated movies of recent times is Paa. Directed by renowned Ad man Balki, movie has earned critical as well as commercial success on the box office. Movie stars Amitabh Bacchan in never before seen role, Abhishek and Vidya Balan. The music of the movie has been composed by incomparable Ilayaraja who comes back to bollywood once again after the successful Cheeni Kum. He is from a different league altogether. We need not to say further about the man who is definitely one of the all time greats Indian music composer.
As expected, with Ilayaraja at helm, songs were supposed to very different and they actually are. He has repeated his Cheeni Kum magic once again. The album begins with ‘Mudhi Mudhi’ sung by Shilpa Rao. The magic of Ilayaraja is clearly on fore in this song. The way, he has used piano, violin and percussions, one will be forced to remember his golden days. The same song has two more versions in Udhi Udhi and Gali Mudhi. The former is a extension of the original whereas later one has been sung by Shaan.
The next track is ‘Halke Se Bhole’ that has sung by a group of kids, more like a chorus. Quite a normal song which is more like an assembly school prayer. The next number is ‘Hichki Hichki’ rendered beautifully Sunidhi Chauhan. Quite a lively and sediuctive song this one is. The next number is quite surprising as it has been sung by Big B himself sans his trademark baritone. ‘Mere Paa’ is more like a narrative theme. The last and impressive song of the album is ‘Gumm Summ’. Sung by Ilayaraja’s daughter Bavatharini with help from an effective chorus, it is a sweet melodious song. All in all, those lookin for some soulful music and different ones should go for Paa.
Kurbaan: Music Review
Kurbaan was one of the most anticipated movies releases in recent times. Movie boasted of big banner, impressive star cast and impressive music. The music of the movie was given by hit pair of Salim Merchant-Sulaiman Merchant whereas lyricist was Niranjan Iyengar. An array of impressive singers like Sukhwinder Singh, Kailash Kher, Marianne D'Cruz Aiman, Salim Merchant, Vishal Dadlani, Sonu Niigaam, Shruti Pathak and Shreya Ghoshal have lent their voice to the beautiful and soul-stirring songs of the movies.
The pair of Salim-Sulaiman in recent times has emerged quite impressively. Songs of Kurbaan are anything but run of the mill stuff. Songs are genuinely different and slowly grows upon you. The album has five songs and one remix one. The album begins with impressively sung ‘Ali maula’. Salim Merchant has truly done wonders with this song. Probably he should sing more often. Songs has quite less musical arrangement and is very impactful. The remixed version of the same song is also there in the album which is relatively faster and has more orchestration.
The second number of the album is ‘Dua’ that has been sung by two of the top singers Sukhwinder Singh and Kailash Kher. It is quite fresh and the singers have done a commendable job. Song also has a qawwali touch, which makes it even more interesting. Title track ‘Kurbaan hua’ follows after. Sung by Vishal Dadlani, it is more of a rock number but impressive nevertheless.
The next song is ‘Rasiya’ which is perhaps the best song of the album. Shruti Pathak has done a terrific job behind the mike. It is more in a semi-classical mould. The last song of the album is pleasing romantic number ‘Shukran allah’ sung by Sonu Niigaam, Shreya Ghoshal and Salim Merchant. It is a soothing song that will stay with you.