Billu Barber (2009) Music Review

Marjaani is vintage Pritam with a hint of Mauja Mauja from Jab we Met. Love Mera Hit Hit oozes with synth, hindglish smear and of course, rhythm. Rocking and Reeling is vintage "Tere Bin" just faster. Ae Aa O is SRK's grand entry minus the Cinema lyrics that was heard roaring throughout the teaser trailer. Billu Bhyanakar is an interesting listen and the lyrics aptly support well. Jahoo Kahan is a potential favorite of mine. Khudaya Khair is pleasant throughout. Though Pritam is redundant and in the loop throughout , he hits the right notes with Katha Parayumpol's Hindi version. The soundtrack has done half of the job being a potential chartbuster, now let's see if Priyan can achieve what P.Vasu couldn't do for Kuselan. For one thing though, the album is 50-50 unlike the Tamil version, so half the battle's won.

2008: A Lookback

As we wrap up the year 2008 in about 10 hours (from where I live), let's have an overview of the ups and downs of this year:

BOLLYWOOD:

Compared to last year, this year was a mixed feeling. The last two releases of the year, RAB NE BANA DI JODI [SRK, Anuksha Sharma] and the Hindi remake of GHAJINI [Aamir Khan, Asin]. Both films went on to becoming big hits and of course a BIG relief to the industry after the deadly attacks from 26/11 in Mumbai. For details, check out the list below of what worked and what didn't?

Based off this list: http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/moviesreviewslistdatewise.html


JAN:

Halla Bol = Flop
Anthony Galsaves = Flop
Tulsi = Flop
Bombay to Bangkok = Flop
Sunday = Flop
Rama Drama = Flop

FEB:
SuperStar = Flop
Mithya = Flop
Jodha Akbar = Super Hit [First hit of 2008]

MAR:
Black & White = Flop
Kabhi Socha Na Tha = Flop
26th July = Flop
Race = Super Hit
One Two Three = Hit

APR:
Shaurya = Flop
Khuda Ke Liye (Pakistan Film) = Flop
Bhram = Flop
U, Me, Aur Hum = Average Hit
Krazzy 4 = Average Hit
Hope and a little Sugar = Flop
Sirf = Flop
Tashan = Disaster [The Yash Raj "flop" curse continued]

MAY:
Mr. White/Black = Flop
Anamika = Flop
Bhootnath = Average Hit
Jimmy = Flop
Jannat = Super Hit
Dhoom Dadakka = Flop
Don Muthuswami = Flop
Hastey Hastey = Flop
Woodstock Villa = Flop

JUNE:
Sarkar Raj = Average
Aamir = Flop [Critically acclaimed]
Summer 2007 = Flop
Mere Baap Pehle Aap = Above Average
DASAVATHAARAM [Released in Tamil in Mumbai, hindi dub yet to release]:
BLOCKBUSTER (History rewritten)
Khushboo = Flop
De Taali = Flop
Via Darjeeling = Flop
Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic = Disaster [Second Yash Raj Failure]
Thodi Life Thoda Magic = Flop

JULY:
Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na = Blockbuster
Love Story 2050 = Disaster
Contract = Flop
Mehbooba = Flop
Kismat Konnection = Average Hit
Money Hai To Honey Hai = Flop
Mission Istanbul = Flop

AUG:
Ugly Aur Pagli = Flop
Singh is Kinng = Blockbuster
Bachna Aey Haseeno = Hit [Yash Raj's first hit]
God Tussi Great Ho = Flop
Maan Gaye Mughal E Azam = Flop
Mumbai Meri Jaan = Average
Phoonk = Blockbuster
Rock On! = Blockuster (India), Flop elsewhere

***Rest of the films: Chamku, CKompany, Mukhbir = FLOPS***

SEPT:
A Wednesday = Super Hit [Also Critically Acclaimed]

***Rest of the films : Hijack, Tahaan, 1920, Last Lear, Ru Ba Ru, Hulla, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Saas Bahu, Rafoo Chakkar, etc = FLOPS***

OCT:
Drona = Disaster
Kidnap = Disaster
Ramchand Pakistani = Flop
Karzzz = Flop [Himesh Reshammiya's first flop and second film]
Shoot on Sight = Flop
Heroes = Average
Roadside Romeo = Flop [Another flop from Yash Raj, Animated film]
Fashion = Hit
Golmaal Returns = Hit

NOV:
EMI = Flop
Ek Vivaah Aisi Bhi = Average
Dostana = Super Hit
Dasvidaniya = Flop
Yuvvraaj = Flop

**Due to 26/11 attacks, Sorry Bhai and Oye Lucky went unnoticed, becoming flops.***

DEC:
Dil Kabbadi = Flop
Maharathi = Flop
Meerabai = Flop
Oh My God = Flop
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi = Super Hit [Becoming Blockbuster] (Yash Raj Blockbuster after last year's Chak De!)
Ghajini = Super Hit [Becoming Blockbuster]
Jumbo = Average (Animated film staring Akshay Kumar).

TOTAL BLOCKBUSTERS: 6 [Non-Hindi: 1 [DASAVATHAARAM] ]
TOTAL HITS: 9
TOTAL FLOPS (including Disasters): 62
TOTAL AVERAGES (Above, hits): 9

OVERALL SUCCESSES: 24
OVERALL FAILURES: 62

Analysis: Not a good year for Bollywood overall. Perhaps the following years they should be tightening the screws in the quality of their films. Anyways, better luck next year.
-----------------------------------
What's there in 2009?: Lots of films to release in 09. Most of them were in production this
year but here are some films to look out for -

LUCK BY CHANCE - Dir: Zoya Akthar [Honeymoon Travels] *Farhan Akthar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Hrithik Roshan, and others.

BILLU BARBER - Dir: Priyadarshan. *Irfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Shah Rukh Khan [Guest Role] [REMAKE OF MALAYALAM BB: KATHA PARAYUMPOL.]

SHORTCUT (The con is on) - Dir: Neeraj vora. *Arshad Warsi, Akshaye Khanna, Anil Kapoor, etc. [REMAKE OF MALAYALAM BB: UDHAYANANU THAARAM].

RAAVAN (Modern Ramayana film) - Dir: Mani Ratnam. *Abhishek Bachchan, Ash Rai Bachchan, "Chiyaan" Vikram (official Hindi debut).

THREE IDIOTS - Dir: Raju Hirani. * Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi, etc.
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Kollywood

Kollywood witnessed a very BAD year and I mean bad. Starting from Pongal 07 with 3 flop/below average films [Bheemaa (delayed release), Pirivom Sandhippom, Malaikottai], only Pirivom was a break even!

More small films continued to release as flops continued to pour in. However by the time Tamil New Year came, the Telugu remakes saved the industry from collapsing. Case of : Santosh Subramaniam [Remake of Bommarillu] and Yaradi Nee Mohini [Remake of Aadavari Matalaku Aadavaru Verule].

One small film, Subramaniapuram, was a critical and a commercial success. Set across a villiage backdrop in the 80s that dealt with political assiasinations, the film was widely appreciated that it was released in multiplexes a week later after it's release. The film ran for 100 days.

If there was anything to look forward to this year, it was Kamal Hassan's DASAVATHAARAM. Released in Tamil and Telugu, the film crossed over the benchmark set by Rajnikanth's last film, SIVAJI THE BOSS. It's thrashed last year's commercial potboiler and has also garnered positive response from the public claiming that Hassan has portrayed the 10 avatars with perfection. A Hindi dub [Dashavtar] is expected to release soon up north.

The biggest laughing stock of 2008 goes to Rajnikanth, for his washout billingual, Kuselan (Katha Nayakudu in Telugu). Lemme tell you how it all started:

In the Malayalam film industry, a genius by the name of Srinivasan, who has written numerous mallu films with realistic approach, have all become big hits.

His latest film, KATHA PARAYUMPOL was released in 2007 December. The film, being made with a small budget, was a blockbuster overnight. The story revolved around Balan the Barber, trying to make ends meet with his poor barber business. He is the joker of his villiage and everything goes against his favor. Only his wife Sridevi [Meena] supported him throughout his trouble times. One day, a film unit enters his villiage, claiming that super star Ashok Raj [Mammooty; guest role] is staring in it. Word gets out fast that Balan and Ashok Raj are close friends/school-mates and the villiage start to dance to Balan's tunes in order to get a chance to meet Ashok Raj personally. What really set the film from it's greatness was the emotional climax.

Now coming back to the Tamil/Telugu remake. It was said that P.Vasu [Chandramukhi fame] was enticed by the film and wanted Rajnikanth to watch it. So, producer/actors Mukesh and Srinivasan previewed the film in Chennai's Four Frames theatre where Rajni was watching the film with great interest. He came out of the hall with tears while praising it to the skies.
It was then decided that K.Balachander would produce the film in Tamil and Aswini Dutt would do the same in Telugu.

The biggest blunder during the making of the film however was the changes made. For instance, Rajni's guest role was extended to 1 hour, serving no purpose at all. Secondly, Nayantara was casted in the film, having no purpose at all (and even a vulgarized pictured song on her.) Secondly, the marketing fools like Pyramid Samira, bought the film for 60 cr. whilist being made under 6 cr. claiming it was a full fledged Rajni film. Fourth, when the whole Tamil industry went on strike to protest the Kannadigas against the Hogenakkal issue, Rajnikanth (who hails from Karnatika) blasted his own state, hence by the time of Kuselan's release, it was stayed in Karnatika.

Being the beggar dog that he is, Rajni pleaded to his home state with an apologetic attitude that set hatred amongst the tamilians. Anyways, thanks to all the above, the film was the biggest washout in Tamil history. Even bigger than his washout 2 years ago, Baba. Biased sites like Sify.com blamed it on the choice of singers, excused evidence, etc. Sevearl magazines like Nakeeran, Kumudam, Vikatan made a nice mockery of Rajnikanth and still continued to do so. Another joker of 2008 goes to Vishal and Nayantara for that other dud billingual, Satyam/Salute. Hyped for Vishal's body and Nayan's seductive song, nothing did it for the two. Just more flops.

This set the industry in shock (Basically it was 26/11 for them, just hypothetically]. Because films like the late Jeeva's Dhaam Dhoom and Venkat Prabhu's Saroja were to release 2 weeks later, people were worried about the outcome. Nevertheless the latter films became good hits recovering the costs, but kuselan's problems weren't out of the woods just yet. Protests came from all quarters claiming that costs were recovered from the highly priced buy-out.

As a solution, Rajni had to fly back from the US to pay off the costs and as a saving grace, he agreed to do Shankar's most shelved project, Robot, now titled Enthiran. Also manging to cast Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, the film was co-produced by Ayngaran and Eros, but both had dropped out due to the recent economic recession. Sun Pictures, who gave a surprise hit to small film, KADHALIL VIZHUTHEN, joined hands with Shankar and released official still of the "leaked" Peru song shoots that sent Shankar in a frenzy to fire one of crew members and hire replacements. The leakage of the shooting continued with the shots in Goa and the receitn VIT Vellore.

Mani Ratnam had also announced a billingual in Tamil and Hindi titled Raavan and Ashokavanam respectively. A modern version of Ramayana featuring the GURU team of Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai respectively, also brought in Tamil actor Vikram to his "dream" debut in Hindi and also, a chance with work the Mani himself. In Tamil, Vikram and Ash will don the lead roles while Mallu favorite, Prithiviraj will be the villian while National award winner, Priyamani will don the villian's sister. The unit encountered problems with shooting in forests of Kerala as officials did not like the sets being put up. However problems were solved as Mani continued shooting. Recently it was reported that Mani has completed almost 60 % of the billingual amidst of the economic recession. Produced by Reliance.

Ranks of hit films:

DASAVATHAARAM
SUBRAMANIAPURAM
SANTOSH SUBRAMIANPURAM
YARADI NEE MOHINI

Biggest Laughing tortures of 2008:

KUSELAN & SATYAM (tied)
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What to see in 09?
--------------------------------
ASOKAVANAM

Kamal Haasan's next (Either Marmayogi or his recently announced THALAIVAN IRUKIRAAN with Mohanlal, Trisha, Saif Ali Khan, Venkatesh, Tabu).

Ghajini (2008) Music Review

A.R Rahman is associated with South Indian directors who made their foray into Bollywood. The likes of the great Mani Ratnam debuted with A.R Rahman (though the pair were together in Tamil since "ROJA", they debuted in Bollywood with DIL SE..) Though the film bombed, the music became a cult classic and it's still being played today. The famous style-fantasy of the the South, S.Shankar also debuted with NAYAK (also ARR) but it never made an impact, due to it's cliched factor associated with most South formulaic films.

Now it's 2008, and we got A.R Murgadoss debuting Bollywood with GHAJINI, a remake of his Tamil film that starred Surya, Asin, Nayantara and Pradeep Rawat. Released in 2005 with super-hit music by Harris Jayaraj (lyrics: Na Muthukumar), former associate of ARR, now it's Aamir Khan's turn to see if he tasted success with A.R Rahman along with Khan's favorite, Prasoon Joshi (the duo come again after Blockbuster hit, RANG DE BASANTI).

Unfortunately, the music's below par but let's not get hasty on "slow poison" and "give it time" reasons.

Guzzarish is a soothing number but half way through the song, Sonu Nigam (guest vocals), chips in an "ah" or two and then it hits you. Though Javed Ali got full marks for the song, one wishes that Nigam could've sung this one instead. Even after giving "Mastam Mastam" and "Dil Ka Rishta" from Yuvvraaj, I was merely hoping he would sing it (or rather, ARR compose a Nigam version of the song.) The song is predicted to be the "Suttum Vizhi" of this version and it's pretty slow for the former being a fast beat one. Still, this is a pick of the album.

Behka marks the return of Karthik (who's now a hotshot singer down south) to Bollywood after SAATHIYA's "Chori Pe Chori." Touted as "Oru Maalai", the tune just doesn't gel with the lyrics, to be frank here. It's sounds like one of the rejected songs from JAANE TU YA JAANE NA. The jazzy and hip beat compiled together and to top it off with Shankar-Eshaan-Loy's "ROCK ON!" chorus like chant that you can hear in the end of the song. The main problem is that Joshi tries to shoe horn in the urdu and meaninful lyrics into the song. It's overall an OK track, nothing groundbreaking.

Latoo with Shreya Goshal is "Rahatulla" thanks to the exact arrangements that can be heard here, espcially in the middle of the song. For someone who's used to giving soothing melodies like Ilayaraja's CHEENI KUM" or Vishal-Shekhar's "MAIN AGAR KAHOON", this one doesn't suit her well and I wonder why they didn't get Sunidhi Chauhan to do this song, she's used to it. Heck, the RAB BANA DI JODI song has her doing a disco type wala number. Chauhan would've done well, here with Goshal, it doesn't go well together, like chalk and cheese. Average composition.

Aye Bachchoo sounds like he's taken a page or two out of "ROCK ON!" and several of Music Director, Pritam Chakraboorty's hit albums, majorly, JAB WE MET's "Mauja Mauja". The tune's very 90ish rock and with Suzanne behind the mike (she's done DHOOM 2), nothing special nor there was anything in "X-Machi", basically filler tracks. Nothing great but could be catered for the masses who prefer this.

Kaise Mujhe has Benny Dayal again doing a souful and sad track with Goshal joining in later on. A good listen overall but will the audience have the patience to listen to this sad song. This is obviously the bonus track that Murgadoss had mentioned in Behindwoods.com's interview. From the hearings, it's likely to be Aamir thinking of Asin's "death" and so on. You can tell the arrangements give it a background score-ish material. Slow, but a good hear. Check out it's instrumental too if you enjoyed this track.

Ghajini's Hindi version doesn't create any hype on music. And frankly, after giving good scores like JTYJN, YUVVRAAJ, I would rather prefer the latter albums and enjoy probably Guzzarish, a little Behka, and Kaise Mujhe. As for the rest, nothing groundbreaking, just plain average.

Rating: ***

Gautham slams critics...

And how? Take a gander from the Sify.com/movies/tamil interview...

Some scenes like Surya going to US with his father’s consent to find Sameera seems illogical. Please comment?
It’s my story and my dad did that! He supported me to go and chase my love and let me clarify that in the film, Surya’s dad did not fund his trip to US but after finishing his duties as a son, he takes permission and goes on his own. I wonder why a section of people did not understand that. And I read someone writing that my hero was sent on a tour by his parents instead of treating him for drug addition! Well, let me tell you that my characters are etched from real life people and there have been cases of people getting out of drug addiction due to parental support and love.

When a hero flies 15 feet high in the air and then hits a train in a recent superstar film, people did not say it was illogical. But why are they saying that when my hero goes to US to chase his love, it is illogical??

The answer: Guess who just shot at Dharani's flopbuster, Kuruvi? Witty Dig I should say. Me thinks it has to do with when he intially approached Vijay to do a film together, but after Vijay heard the script, he offered him a "Thirupachi" DVD to watch and copy the sentiments from that into his script! The irony here is that Ajith, who WAS to do a film with Gautham for Sivaji Productions, had sacked him for Dharani instead!

Moral of the story: This is why one is living in ivory towers doing ridiculous films while the other gives good films by acclaimed actors.

[PREVIEW] Ghajini (2008) Song Promos

With only 3 days away from it's official Music Launch (let's hope T-Series gets it right this time!) someone in the interweb was kind enough to give us promos of the songs (15 sec versions if you will). With the exception of Guzarish, the other songs "Aye Bachchoo", "Kaise Mujhe", "Behka", and "Latoo" have been released [previews only!] I'll analyze it for you since well....I don't believe in piracy and all...

Aye Bachchoo - (Singer: Suzanne [of Dhoom 2 fame])
Think Miley Cyrus with the early 90s rock thrown in. As predicted earlier, this is 90% [I'm sure on this one], Jiah Khan's song [ala X-Machi.]

Behka - (Singer: Karthik)
Bascially a "slower" song with beats thrown in rhythmically. Think Oru Maalai but slower. That's it. In fact, the song could be dubbed Rahman's "Oru Maalai".

Hai Guzzarish -(Singer: Javed Ali, Guest Vocals: Sonu Nigam)
Everyone's heard (and seen) this song featuring shirtless Aamir, before he goes bald, and Asin dancing/running around the desert. Ali is good but I'm disappointed that Nigam didn't sing this song, a little bit of his punch would've given this song some depth. This song is pretty much a toss-up between Suttum Vizhi and the "bonus" track that Murgadoss explained in Behindwoods interview,

Kaise Mujhe - (Singers: Benny Dayal/Shreya Goshal)
You know what? I take what I said earlier about a toss-up back. This is indeed the "bonus" track. Why? The word "kismat" is said by Dayal here and it's no doubt the "post-flashback with Asin" depression song. So ladies and germs, this is the BONUS track and I'm sure of it. Also, be sure to check out it's instrumental version.

Latoo - (Singer: Shreya Goshal)
Does Rahatulla ring any bell? The zany English lyrics do [courtesy of Pravin Mani] Seems like ARR been inspired by one of Pritam's songs to compose this one.

My early thoughts: Aside from Guzzarish and Kaise Mujhe, I'm not that impressed with this Ghajini, but once I get the CD Saturday, I hope to change my opinion.

If I say anything negative now, ARR fans will have me at my throat ranting either I have "no music sense", "give it time to grow on you" or "wait till the CD's out" and stuff. I tell you, no matter how bad it sounds [read: Sivaji, Azhagiya Tamil Magan, Sakkarakatti], they praise it to the skies.

So until then, we wait for Saturday. Until then, Yuvvraaj is your best bet, or Harris Jayaraj's Ghajini. Check back Saturday afternoon for the Ghajini vs Ghajni review.

Ghajini postponed!

Word from T-Series reported that the audio launch is delayed for next Saturday (the 22nd/23rd) respectively. This was under speculation for a long time considering that the pre-orders weren't opened nor taken and it was too good to be true.

So until the audio's out, my column will be pushed to next Saturday. Until then, have yourself some Yuvvraaj for Friday's release.

Vaaranam Aayiram Movie Review (2008)

Just a day before the film releases, when the best combination of both Music and Direction suddenly break apart, you think for a minute it's a publicity stunt, especially coming from the duo behind MINNALE (2001), REHNAA HAI TERE DIL MEIN (2001), KAAKA KAAKA (2003), GHARSHANA (2003), VETTAIYAADU VILAYAADU (2006), and PACHAIKILLI MUTHUCHARAM (2007).

But after you watch their last film together, it's really heartening to see the most beloved combo break apart, even after 7 years. The same thing happened to Jatin-Lalit back in 2005, when their last release was Aamir Khan's Blockbuster film, FANAA.

Back on the film, do yourself a favor and go watch VAARANAM AAYIRAM. Why? Factors are that:

1) Surya - Gautham Menon after the super-hit KAAKA KAAKA (2003)
2) Harris Jayaraj delivers in Music
3) Lyricist Thaamarai and Na. Muthukumar
4) The Cast/Crew.
5) The Screenplay.

All said, Gautham Menon succeeds with 4/5 factors. The Screenplay is excellent with a brilliant first half. It's the second half that drags a bit and could be easily trimmed down.

Krishnan (Suriya) is in his deathbed after being diagnosed with lung cancer and seconds before his death, he requests his son, Surya (Surya again) to see him one last time. Meanville, the news of his death is conveyed to Surya, now an Army captain, who suddenly remembers his wonderful time with his father as well his journey of life.

The moment when the flashback comes, you're fastened into your seats and driven by the sheer amazement of Surya and his body language as both the father and son. Another thing to point out is the makeup and the grooming of young Surya's getup in the 90s (Reminds you alot of Ajith Kumar's early debut days ala Kathal Kottai.) The story is well driven and directed and kudos goes to the dialogue writers for some of Krishnan's funny liners.

Now coming to the flaws. One, the second half. The second half starts promising but then shifts to the Delhi kidnapping case. While it's intriguing, it however ends up becoming VETTAIYAADU VILAYAADU II. Nevertheless, it's kind of like a build up to his Army career later on. Another sore point in the story is Divya Spandana's love declaration to Surya before the "Anal Maele" song comes up. Also, why isn't Surya's sister not married at all? By Hindu custom, it's the girl that gets married first then the boy. Seems Gautham overlooked those.

But those shortcomings don't bother you because there are a lot of scenes that are enjoyable. Namely the following.

1) Surya's adulthood
2) Surya's College life
3) Surya and Meghna (Sameera Reddy's tamil debut) encounters and Surya wooing over her.
4) The excuse to go to America in order to get the Visa.
5) Getting over the trauma of Meghna
and many more...

Harris Jayaraj rocks completely with this film as every number syncs very well with the film. His BGM is top class and will be deeply missed with his combination with Gautham Menon. Camera [Rathanvelu] and Art [Rajeevan] are fantastic.

Every one deserves apperciation. In this case, all hands down to Surya. What a performance and I cannot imagine Vikram, Vijay, Surya or Ajith [he did in Godfather but not as good as this though] doing such roles like this. What versataility as both the youngster and father Krishnan!

Simran also makes her "official" comeback and we can ignore her Seval completely. As she's dubbed for herself for the first time, it makes you wonder after doing all those ridiculous heroine roles for so long, how long it took her to get her act together. The same goes for Sameera Reddy. Once propped as an item girl in Bollywood and in Tollywood, she really shined as the smart girl, Meghna. Divya Spandana is very good and she's got the best of the lot (her role is lengthy amongst the other heroines.)

The movie isn't catered for the masses but it's for those who love Menon's presentation and storytelling abilities. For you masses, skip it, for the rest, please watch! VAARANAM will emerge victorious in the coming weeks. Had this released in Diwali weekend along with Ajith's AEGAN and Bharath's SEVAL, no doubt it would've been a clean boweled for those films!

Rating: ****