Pritam is something like the name of a national Cricket team. Just like countries have a national team and then a second grade national ‘A’ team for some tours, we have ‘Pritam’s music’ and then ‘Pritam A’s music’ for some movies. This one is Pritam A.
I was wondering if I should even listen to the album but then I thought of Sharman Joshi and Tabu’s Toh Baat Pakki and decided to give it a shot. Here is the result, nothing great.
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Tags: Akriti Kakar, Antara Mitra, Javed Jaffrey, Music Review, Pritam, Rana Mazumder, Richa Sharma, Ritu Pathak, Shweta Pandit, Sunidhi Chauhan
And Karan Johar’s next song arrives. OK, not Karan Johar’s song, but his production’s next movie’s first song is out and here goes their first song, Dil khol ke let’s rock which is actually a version of Elvis Presley’s 1957 song JailHouse rock. Thus, Karan Johar and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy go a step ahead from Pretty Woman which was a 1990′s movie. I need not think twice to guess that Karan would have got the rights for this one too.
It’s another matter that I didn’t like the song so much as the original one, even though I’m not a big fan of Elvis. Probably I didn’t like the voice of Anushka in the song (I hope it’s her) and for sure I don’t think Kajol and Kareena go with that rock voice right after Lata and Alka and Shreya Ghoshal. Still, if the song exists in a Karan Johar movie, it has to be a hit, and however liked or disliked by me, a song can never be not worth a hear if it comes from Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and that too one that was made by Elvis and that when it was listed on the 500 best songs ever.
Oh, btw, Suraj Jagan sounds good in the song.
Here is the video.
and if you want, here is the original JailHouse Rock from 1957. Colorized later, of course.
Tags: Anushka Manchanda, Kajol, Karan Johar, Kareena, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Song Review, Suraj Jagan, videos
Indian Idol has announced that one person from the top five will become Radio Jockey (RJ) for 93.5 Red FM. And if I come to think about it, it can be only Bhoomi who can become an RJ among the five.
In fact it’s quite possible that after seeing Bhoomi’s potential only the Radio people have decided to come up with such an offer.
Do you think there’s anyone else good enough to be a Radio Jockey?
Tags: TV
Salim Sulaiman’s Aashayein was such a long pending album, I was never expecting it to release. But it finally did. It seems in the long time they have added as many remixes as possible, that’s how I can see 13 tracks on the album, made out of 7 songs.
The album surprisingly starts with a Pritam song, Mera Jeena hai kya, sung by Neeraj Shridhar. Interestingly, the song is a bit different from their typical songs as this one seems aligned towards rock. I wonder why Pritam didn’t get KK to sing this one. KK and Nagesh Kukunoor has already been an old hit jodi. Good one but could be better.
Then the next, Dilkash Dildaar duniya comes which is again a Pritam composition and sung by Shaan and Tulsi Kumar. A beat-based song with a nostalgic feel. Shaan is fine but I’m not coming to terms with Tulsi very well. Okay song.
The third song, Rabba comes from Shiraz Uppal. Somehow, I don’t like Shiraz Uppal very much with lower notes. Shiraz is a guy who is best when he sings with his full throat. But here he sings more on lower notes and goes high only for ‘Rabba ye kya hua, Rabba ye dil gaya’ there too not so good I had expected. Some good lyrics and certainly not a bad song, but was expecting more from Shiraz. This is just okay.
Then comes the already heard Zubeen sung ‘Ab mujhko Jeena.’ The song starts somewhat like Summer of 69 but then it moves to a fast, inspiring type song. Can’t say much about the song as I’ve heard it way too much already. It’s even been my ringtone for a long time. So all I can say is the song is definitely good.
Next song of the album, Shukriya Zindagi, that starts on a lovely note and as Shafqat starts singing ‘chhan ke aayi to kya chandni to mili’ in an easy mood, you know you’re going to get an inspirational treat from Salim-Sulaiman and Shafqat. Beautiful lyrics by Mir Ali Husain in continuously second song.
As Shreya Ghoshal starts rendering Pal mein Mila Jahan, in her soft voice, with almost nothing playing in the background, you think it’s a sad version of some song, but then the song proceeds, and after a tough job done by Shreya, instruments appear in the background. A really good song and some superb singing by Shreya but I don’t know how many will have patience to listen to this song. Try to listen to the song anyway.
Finally, Chala Aaya Pyaar brings in Mohit Chauhan. A quite slow, deep song with some romantic lyrics. Somehow after ‘Pal mein’ the song sounds a bit sad as it seems to mix with its predecessor, but as Mohit comes towards the higher notes in the song, you start liking it. Good use of percussion, loved the tabla in the song. Go for it, but it may need some patience before you fall for the song.
Shankar Mahadevan is a choice of many composers when it comes to deep songs, and even more when there are less instruments in the background, as Shankar has got some awesome power in his voice. Therefore, after Raajneeti’s Dhan dhan dharti re, he gets to sing another earthy song with less instruments and more singing. And the song is none other than Shreya sung Pal mein mila Jahan’s male version, but Shankar gives the song much more power than Shreya did. I guess people would like this one more, if they have enough patience to decide.
After this, the album has five remixes but I wouldn’t even hear them as of now, after listening to seven songs already. Oh, btw, there is one sad version of Shukriya Zindagi which is again a wonderful listen for those who appreciate one minute long instrumentless pieces. Cuz I was a fan of Aashayein slow version and always played the song after the slow version.
Overall, the album is not bad, but not very good either. While no song is actually bad, only a few, namely ab mujhko jeena, shukriya zindagi, pal mein mila jahan look upto their level. Mohit Chauhan and Shiraz Uppal are a bit below their own set standards. The biggest problem is that few songs in the album catch you instantly, though I hope many of the songs will sound just perfect in the movie as background.
All I’d say is, I had some more aashayein from aashayein.
Tags: Mir Ali Husain, Music Review, Neeraj Shridhar, Pritam, Salim Sulaiman, Sameer, Shaan, Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, Shiraz Uppal, Tulsi Kumar
I love Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. But when it comes to Karan Johar, I suddenly become skeptical. I know Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have given some fabulous music for Karan’s movies from their first song together (Kal ho na ho, title), but somehow I think Karan doesn’t use the full potential of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and I think there are several proofs of it. Take any ‘different’ song of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and you know it’s not from a Dharma movie (Exceptions are invited).
Now that Karan Johar’s next product We are Family is coming, some of the details are coming out and I’m again getting a feeling that the music of the film will be same again. The typical that happens to be in his movies: one or two songs with a Sufi touch, one party song, like in a bar or something, maybe one philosophical, and quite surely a sad version, and definitely one theme. I think though that after MNIK, WAF also may have one rock-ish number as Suraj Jagan is there again.
For example, I know there is a song called Rehem-o-Karam in the movie and by the very words, I smell a Sufi song. Not that I don’t like Sufi songs but hasn’t he had enough of them in MNIK already? By the way, the song Rehem-o-Karam is sung by Vishal Dadlani along with Shankar Mahadevan. I wish Rehem-o-Karam turns out to be a rock number but chances look kind of bleak.
I know Karan knows what he is doing and I also know that the songs that come out will be wonderful, and at the same time hit, superhit. But I think this way, music loses, and at the end, we lose.
Anyway, all I can do for now is anticipate and guess, until the music release, which is reportedly scheduled for first week of August, though I was expecting end of July, guessing 28th. And all I wish is that I’m proved wrong, and KJo and SEL bring us the best music we have ever heard. Amen.
Update: Here is the detailed soundtrack of the movie.
- Ankhon Mein Neendein – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Shankar Mahadevan (5:02)
- Dil Khol Ke Let’s Rock – Anushka Manchanda, Akriti Kakkar, Suraj Jagan (03:57)
- Reham O Karam – Vishal Dadlani, Shankar Mahadevan (05:47)
- Hamesha & Forever – Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Tara Waaliya (04:51)
- Sun Le Dua Yeh Aasmaan (Theme Slow Version) – Shankar Mahadevan (03:53)
- We Are Family (Theme) – Dominique Cerejo, Clinton Cerejo, Neuman Pinto, Vivienne Pocha (02:48)
Tags: Akriti Kakar, Anushka Manchanda, Karan Johar, music, preview, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Shankar Mahadevan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Suraj Jagan, Vishal Dadlani
With Salman Khan’s Dabangg, Sajid Wajid are back, and after the success of Veer’s music, this time they come up with one more song with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, and this one is called Tere Mast Do Nain. The song is a romantic, melody, with a slight ghazal-ish mode and some beats that are going to stick in your head, and to your tongue.
taakte rehte tujhko saanjh savere,
naino mein basiyaan jaise nain ye tere,
naino mein basiyaan jaise nain ye tere,
tere mast mast do nain,
mere dil ka le gaye chain,
mere dil ka le gaye chain,
tere mast mast do nain..
Tags: Arshikha Loey, Lyrics, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sajid-Wajid, Salman Khan
Petrol prices are up. So are fares of buses, and cabs, and autos. Well, bus fares have gone Rs 1 up on every ticket, be it Rs 3 or Rs 11. Not a very good ratio but still OK. Cabs have raised their fares too. And now the autowallahs also are trying to get the price raised, and frankly, I do not mind if they do get that, if only they were charging meter fares.
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Bandish might be a rock band but as they launch their album, they give out variety, some good and some not-so-good. But at the minimum, the album is worth a listen. Here is a review.
The album starts with a KK sung tere bin which sounds very much like some composition of Pritam. The way song starts abruptly doesn’t trouble you much but the album starting with such a typical song can for once make you skeptical, even though the song is good. As the song moves towards the end, more rock elements add up, but certainly not what I was expecting to hear. Okay.
The second song, Bandish, featuring Pete Lockett is more of a rock song that I was expecting. The music given by the band is wonderful as it has not just instruments but vocals also as part of it. The lyrics are inspiring and the music is good, fast, but not all hard rock. So even people with less taste in rock may like it.
Khuda Bakhsh/Tere bina featuring Krishna sounds like Bollywood material, but one of the better ones there. The song has completely Indian music with a percussion base. Something like what Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been singing nowadays. Krishna has a signature style of singing such songs and he does full justice to the song. Good one.
The next in line is a remix of KK’s tere bin. A typical remix. Reminds me of Gangster, Woh Lamhe and Showbiz.
Meethi Baatein Teri is next and I can assure you Bandish is not really rock. They have quite varied genres and this song belongs to a totally different one. Meethi baatein teri is a soft, slow number, sounding somewhat like an Aryans’ song, especially with the voices. The song is good but the way they say aankhen or aankhon se sounds bad as they say it like ‘Khan,’ from the epiglottis, which is not the way. So just okay.
The next, ‘I believe in you‘ is one of the best songs of the album. A completely English, romantic piece sung in a voice that reminds me of Bryan Adams and a nice aalap in a female voice running in the background. Not really the rock I know, but quite towards it. Whatever it was, I just loved this one.
The next song Mahi features Krishna again and this one is completely Bollywood style and will certainly remind you of Jatin-Lalit days. I don’t exactly where I have heard such music, probably in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Anyway, if you move ahead of that, you will find that Krishna sings the song wonderfully and with a few effects, the song sounds pretty good. A bit-too-slow but lovely piece of music and Krishna’s singing. I’d say listen to it once. And continue if you like it.
In the end comes a traditional one that I have heard number of times by number of people in the past few years. And somehow I love it everytime, by everyone. This time it’s Bandish who sing Dumadum mast kalandar. This one is a live piece, that is with added crowd effects. The crowd effects might not sound real but the band has left no stone unturned in making the song sound good and it pays off. Wonderful listen.
Overall, Bandish is a fine album with some songs okay, some good and some very good. The title and I believe in you are the best pieces while dumadum mast kalandar gives the same punch even now. Krishna is good in his both songs though his Mahi goes a bit too Bollywod way. KK somehow disappoints even with his good song as it’s way too typical. But the final verdict says the album is worth a try at the least.
Tags: KK, Krishna, Private Album, Rock
Salman Khan’s Dabangg is again composed by Sajid-Wajid and this time they are back with a big league of singers comprising of Sukhwinder Singh, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal. Here is the song list of the movie. As per reports and common sense both, Tere Mast do nain is the one to watch out for.
Tags: Arshikha Loey, Master Saleem, music, preview, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Sabri Brothers, Sajid-Wajid, Salman Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Sukhwinder Singh
As I watched the trailer of Salman Khan’s Dabangg, I was just loving it and cursing the producers why they released the trailer so early. Well, I’m in love with the trailer now and want to watch it. Anyone in doubt?
OK. If you are in doubt, here is the reason. For Salman Khan, there are two key areas: Fights and Comedy. And as I saw the trailer, I was sure I was going to plenty of both in the film, whatever be the story. My guess is, I can watch Dabangg to simply have a good time. Watch the trailer and decide for yourself.
Still in doubt after watching Inspector Chulbul Pandey? I guess not. 
Tags: Salman Khan, videos
It’s been ten years.
I still remember, when I switched the TV on, a lady had won Rs 40,000, Yes, ‘ F o r t y T h o u s a n d ‘, and she could win 80,000 if she answered this question right. And lose it all, and get just 10,000 if she answered it right. She had some idea but then, how could one risk so much money on just an idea? So she decided to quit. And then Amitabh Bachchan asked him, _____ ji, yadi aapko is sawal ka jawab dena ‘hota’ to aap kya jawab detin?
Lady: Option C. Mohinder Amarnath.
Amitabh Bachchan: Computer ji, ______ ji keh rahi hain ki wo Option C ko lock kartin, batayiye sahi jawab kya hai….. OOoooh, ye sahi jawab hota.
Long sighs everywhere. The lady has a face with a natural expression that is confused whether to be happy or sad. And me? I’m still under the spell. Probably even today as I live the moment again. That was the magic of KBC. Of that legend known as Big B.
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Tags: Amitabh Bachchan, KBC, TV
A good vocabulary is a thing we all crave for, and use many methods told at times. But the results are never as we want them to be. And though many techniques enrich our vocabulary, the level we want to achieve or the techniques claim is seldom obtained.
A simple fact is that building a good vocabulary is not easy, whatever technique you use and whatever claims several advertisers make. But it is not impossible either. You need to understand a few simple things and take care of them while working on your vocabulary. And the first one is, the earlier you start, the better you do. So, let’s start.
Today is the Best Day
Next week is not the best time. Next month is too far. Tomorrow has never come till date. Yes, if you want to start, today is the best day to start. The earlier you start building a good vocabulary, the better it is. But if you haven’t started it yet, there is no point in thinking why. Find your material, make a dictionary handy, and start today.
Be Regular
If there is one key to learning, it’s being Regular. Once you start, remain regular whatever happens. Doing fifty words a day and leaving four days makes no sense and you won’t get results. Do less words if you have less time on some day or stick to only revising old words, but do not leave a day.
Dharma Productions’ next, the much hyped, much in demand, Kajol, Kareena, Arjun Rampal starrer, Stepmom’s remake, is finally here. Here is the trailer that is running on TV nowadays, with the song that I can here in the background:
Look at us, We are a family,
all of us, we are a family..
Tags: Lyrics, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, videos
It’s strange to see how Yash Raj Films suddenly picked an unknown composer called R Anandh for their new project Lafangey Parindey. Lafangey Parindey is the new movie of Pradeep Sarkar who has made Parineeta and Laaga Chunri mein Daag and this time moves to a totally different genre.
The album starts with a rock-ish title song sung by another newcomer called Rohit Sarkar. The song has a punch feel attached to it and Swanand Kirkire’s lyrics quite help that. Nothing great but the song certainly sounds good as a background in the promos. I think good promotion will make the song popular for at least some time, till the release or so.
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Tags: Anushka Manchanda, Deepika Padukone, Music Review, Neil Nitin Mukesh, R Anandh, Rohit Sarkar, Shail Hada, Shilpa Rao, Suraj Jagan, YashRaj
Hum Yaadon ke Sang is the second album of Raeth, the band that is remembered for Bhula do. 
Their second also looks quite similar as the band still sounds Atif’ish, but not bad, and though they cannot say themselves totally fresh, they don’t sound too stale to listen to either.
The album starts with title Hum Yaadon ke Sang jee gaye which is a typical, known type of semi-rock with typical and okay lyrics. Not a great listen but not bad. The good thing about the album is that this is not the best song of the album. And btw, of course, the song sounds better at higher volume.
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Tags: Music Review, Pakistan, Private Album, Raeth
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