Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara – Sadly PALE!!!

I am a die hard fan of Indian Integrity and the whole concept of “Unity in Diversity”. And nothing better could represent the sole soul of the nation than “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”

I am apalled, aghast, disgusted after seeing the new representation of India in “Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara”.

Here goes my review of the same:

Strengths

1. Amitabh starting the video – gave it a powerful start. Shankar Mahadevan and gang followed it well with a good rendition

Weaknesses

1. Are you trying to show India without The Taj? I mean, seriously? In the 17 min long video, you could not devote a few seconds to the most recognizable structure in India?
2. No Lata!? Without her voice, can a video on India be complete? Her beautiful voice gave us goose bumps in the earlier version and we are super lucky to have had her around during the re-make – and the makers missed out on that!!?? Sad!
3. No Sachin or Dravid? Basically no representation whatsoever of Cricket, the most loved religion of India!
4. Too much of Mumbai in the video.. How about the ghati of Kashmir or the Backwaters of Kerala or the tea-gardens of Assam or the beaches of Goa?
5. Deepika and Ranbir looked rather stupid merely acting and not adding any value to the video. From the looks of it, they seemed like they were doing yet another film and not a video on National Integrity!
6. Really poor representation of WB – They could have roped in Sourav – the prince of Kolkata!
7. And no one better than Gohil to represent Gujarat? They could have got Mallika Sarabhai back! Or roped in Prachi Desai or Paresh Raval.
8. The fusion of Shiamak Davar and Kuchipudi was done in real bad taste
9. Aamir’s portion badly shot and a novel touch to the tune of the song has made it disastrous. His portion did not add any value at all to the whole theme.
10. Sonu Nigam looks disgusting… he looks like a firang bozo! His portion was sadly easily editable!
11. The video was trying hard to give enough footage to all the stars involved – Just one line given to every one of them would have sufficed – ensuring little digression from the theme! In the earlier version, all the stars were shown, not as stars, but as aam aadmi. Most were just there, contributing their bit in an unobtrusive way!
12. Not an iota of mention of Chandrayan? One of our bigger scientific achievements of the decade!
13. Many portions of the song seemed completely out of tune!
14. They could have used the famous child stars in portions involving kids.

The video frankly seemed like it was trying hard to satisfy the vanity of each of the stars involved! They could do with some serious editing! It started with a good intention, which was not successfully met. Wished they had concentrated more on showing the real “India” and less of pomp and show!

To cut a long story short, the 17 min long video no match for its short and crisp 6+ mins old counterpart!

I give it a thumbs down! Wats your take?

[PS Prepared with some creative inputs from Praveen]

Raat ke dhai baje… From Kaminey

Song:  Raat Ke Dhai Baje
Singers: Kunal Ganjawala, Sunidhi Chauhan, Rekha Bhardwaj, Suresh Wadkar, Earl
Lyricist: Gulzar
Music Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

“Raat Ke Dhai Baje Lyrics”

Raat ke dhai baje

koi shehnai baje

dil ka bazaar laga

dhela taka pai baje

tana… tarata ta ra ra.. – 2

Raat ke dhai baje

koi shehnai baje

dil ka bazaar laga

dhela taka pai baje

chaunke chaunke chaunke se

khoye khoye se hum

aankhen doobi doobi se

soye soye se hum

dil ne kaisi durgath ki hai

Oh oh…

pehli baar mohabbat ki hai, aha…

aji aakhri baar mohabbat ki hai, aha…

arey pehli baar mohabbat ki hai, aha…

aakhri baar mohabbat ki hai , aha…

Jaan hatheli, upar leli

yaaro kaisi harkat ki hai

aji pehli baar mohabbat ki hai, aha…

aakhri baar mohabbat ki hai

[ ishq mein jalte hue

saans tezabi lage

raaz khulta hi nahi

koi toh chaabi lage ] – 2

ishq mein jalte hue

saans tezabi lage

saans tezabi lage

ishq mein jalte hue

chikne chikne lachhe hain

reshmi se phande

chupdi chupdi baaton mein

bhole bhale bande

tanhai ne fursat di hai

[arey pehli baar mohabbat… ki hai

aakhri baar mohabbat ki hai ] – 2

raat kuch aisa hua

jaisa hota toh nahi

thaam ke rakha mujhe

main bhi khota toh nahi

ek hi lat suljhane mein

saari raat guzaari hai

jaan ki gathri sar pe le li

aapne kaisi zehmat dee hai

arey pehli baar mohabbat ki hai

aakhri baar mohabbat ki hai

pehli baar mohabbat ki hai

I had written about the movie a while ago and as if that was not enough, here I am with the lyrics of my mostttttttttttttt fav song from the movie: Raat ke dhai bhaje!! Though, I dont like calling it that… Coz I think the most catchy part of the song is: “Pehli baar mohabbat ki hai… aaha… aji aakhiri baar mohabbat ki hai… aaha!!” The rap that goes on in the background jells beautifully with the tune. Whats weirdly beautiful about this song is that 2 female playback singers have given voice to one actress in the same song? And it doesnt sound bad at all!!! You can expect only Vishal to come up with something like that… The beautiful urdu words by Gulzaar saab add a new flavour to the song!

The post on the song can not be completed without mention of the playback singers, who have made the song sooo alive. Rekha Bharadwaj‘s voice has so much namak… the style in which she sings the song beats even the likes of Sunidhi Chauhan. They complement each other very well.. The song has also revived long lost singer Suresh Wadkar… After “Tum se mil ke“, this song gives the veteran singer his due credit. Kunal Ganjawala strikes again after “Bheege Honth“

You catch the song here:

[Source: http://kaminey.in/music-songs/raat-ke-dhai-baje-song-lyrics/]

Movie Review: Kaminey – Fataaaakkkk!!!

Vishal Bharadwaj is slowly turning into an angel with a Midas touch! Anything and everything he touches, turns into Gold! The supremely talented Director/Producer/Music Composer/Singer etc is out with another gem: Kaminey! The movie belongs to him – totally!

Shahid Kapoor delivers a knock-out performance after Kareena stole the limelight right from under his nose, in Jab We Met! The cute looking actor is finally getting accolades for his fuperb portrayal of the twin brothers… and he deserves it. Piggy Chopps is fabulous in the small but meaty role. In a movie that is all about Shahid, she managed to make her presence felt!

Now, for the story line… There is nothing extra-ordinary about the story. Twin bothers – one angel, the other devil… separated in childhood… grow up to hate each other, until the circumstances make their paths meet, and they discover the long lost love for each other! The movie also touches upon the grave issue of the new-found hatred of a section of Marathis towards non-marathis (specially UP wallahs) living in Mumbai, Pune and other cities of Maharashtra.

Kaminey is indeed trying to tell an ordinary story but in an exceptionally stylish way! This where the excellence of Vishal as a screenplay writer and a director come into the forte! Telling the age old story in a novel way is by no means an easy task and Vishal excells in it. Furthermore, what acts as an icing on the cake is the carefully chosen starcast. Every character of the movie is so well etched out and so well enacted, it would not be wrong to say that it is difficult to imagine a set of actors who would have done a better job. Kudos to all!

Last but not the least, the music score of the movie (again by Vishal Bharadwaj) is excellent. The album has songs to match all the moods and moves with the movie so well that it is difficult to imagine one without the other! The review will be incomplete without the mention of some songs which have caught the fancy of one and all: Dhan te nan tena tena and not to forget Pehli baar mohabbat ki hai.

If you havent caught the movie so far, rush!! You will not be disappointed! 🙂

Hum Tere Pyaar Mein from Dil Ek Mandir

Love has always been compared to madness. And I think it probably is. Coz it probably makes you do things you would not do otherwise. Some may call this feeling insanity. I guess it is… But, I also think this madness is what drives love! And in turn, drives the world!! 🙂

Dil ek mandir had some really beautiful songs picturised on the beautiful Meena Kumari. Feel like sharing one of them with you! It is my favorite and Lata’s rendition is so beautiful, you wont even realize when you well up!!

Lyrics:

Hum tere pyar me saara aalam kho baithe hain
kho baithe hain
Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao

Panchi se chuda kar uska ghar
Tum apne ghar par le aaye
Yeh pyar ka pinjara man bhaya
Hum jee bhar bhar kar muskaye
Jab pyar hua is pinjare se
Tum kehne lage aazad raho
Hum kaise bhula dein pyar tera
Tum apni zuban se ye na kaho
Ab tum sa jahan me koi nahi hai
Hum to tumhare ho baithe

Tum kehte ho ke aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao
Hum tere pyar me saara alam

Is tere charan ki dhool se humne
Apni jeevan maang bhari
Jab hi to suhagan kehlayi
Duniya ki nazar me pyar bani
Tum pyar ki sundar moorat ho
Aur pyar hamari pooja hai
Ab in charano me dam nikale
Bus itni aur tamanna hai
Hum pyar ke gangajal se balamji
Tan man apna dho baithe

Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao
Hum tere pyar me saara aalam

Sapno ka darpan dekha tha
Sapno ka darpan tod diya
Yeh pyar ka aanchal humne to
Daaman se tumhare baandh liya
Ye aisi gaanth hai ulfat ki
Jisko na koi bhi khol saka
Tum aan base jab is dil mein
Dil fir to kahin na dol saka
O pyar ka sagar hum teri
leheron me naav dubo baithe

Tum kehte ho ki aise pyar ko bhul jao
bhul jao

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

There are some songs which grow on you. This is one of them. When I first heard it, I was like.. ok.. so its another one of those types… Nothing too impressive. But, having heard it twice… I just cant get this song out of my head!!!!! 😕

I dont know what I like the best – its offbeat music or Rashid Ali’s voice? or is it his style of singing most words incomplete. I can almost envision Javed Akhtar telling him if he were to go for Indian Idol: “Aap ki aawaz achchi hai. Bus aap shabdon ko aadha adhura chod dete hain… ” 😛

I think thats his style – just humming most words, not really singing them. His casual way of singing is what has caught onto the imagination of the youth of today. All said and done, lets see how he manages his career from this point onwards.

Good luck Rashid.

Lyrics:

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi Me Yun Hi Koi Apna Lagta Hai
Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Woh Bichad Jaaye To Ek Sapna Lagta Hai

Aise Me Koi Kaise Apne Aansuon Ko Behnay Se Roke
Aur Kaise Koi Soch de Everything’S Gonna Be Okay

Kabhi Kabhi To Lage Zindagi Me Rahi Na Khushi Aur Na Maza
Kabhi Kabhi To Lage Har Din Mushkil Aur Har Pal Ek Saza

Aise Me Koi Kaise Muskuraaye, Kaise Has De Khush Hoke
Aur Kaise Koi Soch de Everything’S  Gonna Be Okay

Soch Zara Jan-E-Jaan Tujh Ko Hum Kitna Chahte Hain
Rote Hain Hum Bhi Agar Tere Aankhon Me Aansun Aate Hain

Gaana To Aata Nahi Hai Magar Phir Bhi Hum Gaate Hain
Hey Aditi Maan Kabhi-Kabhi Saare Jahan Me Andhera Hota Hai
Lekin Raat Ke Baad Hi To Savera Hota Hai

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi Me Yun Hi Koi Apna Lagta Hai
Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Woh Bichar Jaye To Ek Sapna Lagta Hai

Hey Aditi Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi To Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura

Tu Khush Hai To Lage Kay Jahan Main Chaiyi Hai Khushi
Sooraj Nikle Baadalon Se Aur Bantein Zindagi
Sun To Zara Madhosh Hawa Tujhse Kehne Lagi

Ki Aditi Woh Jo Bichadte Hain Ik Na Ik Din Phir Mil Jate
Aditi Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na Phool Phir Khil Jate Hain

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi Me Yun Hi Koi Apna Lagta Hai
Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Who Bichad Jaye To Ek Sapna Lagta Hai

Hey Aditi Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi To Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura

Hey Aditi Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi To Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura

Hey Aditi Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi To Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura

Hey Aditi Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Has De Tu Zara
Nahi To Bas Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Thoda Muskura

Chalte chalte from Pakeezah

A beautiful song. Meena kumari looks stunning but what caught my eyes for the first time were the two Kathak dancers in the backdrop. The chakkars and the chaals are mesmerising. Do watch the video even if you have watched the song many times, for the kathak dancers. They wont disappoint you! 🙂

Aayega aane waala from Mahal

This song will always be special to me as I consider it a minor victory that I had over my own inhibitions. As a child, I was an average singer though I have a good knowledge of tunes. The reason being high notes, which were always a problem area.

During wedding of one of my maternal uncles, we were preparing for Sangeet. One of my mom’s uncles asked me to sing this song. I had to stiffle a laughter and I told him “Nanaji, I just shriek on high notes and this song has many. Lets choose a simpler song”. But, he just wouldnt have it. He asked me to start and as expected I fumbled. Nevertheless, he was adamant that I try. I tried a few more times and it din seem like that difficult a feat. He would keep giving me honey to soothe my throat which had begun to turn hoarse…

I tried a lot to convince him throughout the day. Btw, I had only 3-4 hours to do my riyaz, but he pushed me to go ahead and sing, and he would take care of minor flaws here and there with his harmonium.

Finally, I did sing this song and did remarkably well. Most of my relatives were stunned at the rendition of the song, specially those who thought I had more of a Geeta dutt type of songs ka voice. I used to deliberately choose her songs back then coz her songs needed more of style and less of vocal quality. My fav being Babuji dheere chalna

So, this song is the toughest song I have ever sung. I overcame my inhibitions about my strength, which makes it all the more special 🙂

Even though I know you will never read this, Thank you Nana ji 🙂

Mausam hai aashiqana!!

One of the most beautiful melodies ever by Lata herself! The song actually takes you to another world. The lyrics are beautiful!

Lyrics:

मौसम है आशिकाना
ऐ दिल कहीं से उनको ऐसे मी ढूंढ लाना

कहना के रुत जवान है, और हम तरस रहे हैं
काली घटा के साए, बिरहन को डस रहे हैं
डर है न मार डाले, सावन का क्या ठिकाना

सूरज कहीं भी जाए, तुम पर न धूप आए
तुम को पुकारते हैं, इन गेसुओं के साए
आ जाओ मैं बना दूँ, पलकों का शामियाना

फिरते हैं हम अकेले, बाहों में कोई लेले
आख़िर कोई कहाँ तक तनहाइयों से खेले
दिन हो गए हैं जालिम, राते हैं कातिलाना

ये रात ये खामोशी, ये ख्वाब से नज़ारे
जुगनू हैं या जमीन पर, उतरे हुए हैं तारे
बेख्वाब मेरी आंखें, मदहोश है ज़माना

Jodhaa-Akbar – A decent effort!

 

Usually a movie that creates a lot of hoopla and fan fare loses my attention quite early on. Jodhaa Akbar was one such victim! From the past 2 years or more, the movie was in news throughout… First for the star-cast and then for the unusual story and elaborate sets, and some times even for wrong reasons…About the director, of course, after Lagaan and Swades, junta had tremendous expectations from the highly talented director, Ashutosh Gowariker. He had been lucky twice… It remained to be seen, if he could swish the magic wand again!

So, while the industry and Ash-Hrithik fans were waiting with baited breath for Jodhaa-Akbar to release, I was quietly sipping tea in a corner of Hong Kong, totally uninterested in the entire conundrum!

In lamhon ke daaman mein – Jodhaa Akbar

Beautiful lyrics by Javed Akhtar, soulful rendition by Sonu Nigam and Madhushree and soul-rendering music by AR Rehman! You can catch a glimpse of the song here:

The lyrics are:

In lamhon ke daaman mein
Pakeeza se rishte hain
Koi kalma mohabat ka
Dohrate farishte hain

Khamosh si hai zameeen hairaan sa falak hai
Ek noor hi noor sa abb aasmaan talak hai

Nagmein hi nagmein hai jagti soti fizaon mein
Husn hai sari adaon mein, Ishq hai jaise hawaon mein

Nagmein hi nagmein hai jagti soti fizaon mein
Husn hai sari adaon mein, Ishq hai jaise hawaon mein

Kaise yeh ishq hai
Kaisa yeh khwaab hai
Kaise jazbaat ka Umda sailab hai

Kaise yeh ishq hai
Kaisa yeh khwaab hai
Kaise jazbaat ka Umda sailab hai

Din badle raatein badli
Jeene ke andaaz hi badle hain

In lamhon ke daaman mein
Pakeeza se rishte hain
Koi kalma mohabat ka
Dohrate farishte hain

Samay ne yeh kya kiya
Badal di hai kaya
Tumhein mene paa liye
Mujhe tumne paya

Mile dekho aise hai hum
ke do sur ho jaise madham
koi jyada na koi kaam
Kise aag mein Ke prem aag mein
Jalte dono hi the tan bhi maan bhi
Maan bhi hai tan bhi

Mere khwaabon ke is Gulistaan mein
Tumse hi tum bahar chai hai
Phoolon mein rang nahi the lekin
Dil mein khusboon tumhi se aai hai

Kyon hai yeh arzoo
Kyon hai yeh zustzu
Kyon dil bechain hai
Kyon dil betaab hai

Din badle raatein badli baatien badli
Jeene ke andaaz hi badle hain

In lamhon ke daaman mein
Pakeeza se rishte hain
Koi kalma mohabat ka
Dohrate farishte hain

Nagmein hi nagmein hai jagti soti fizaon mein
Husn hai sari adaon mein
Ishq hai jaise hawaon mein

Jab se tere naina from Saawariya

I have been listenin to this song, day in and day out!! It simply blows me over… I specially like the way in which the tune changes in the line Jab se deewana hua. The sudden use beats in the line makes u want to start moving to it…

Also, another good thing about the song is the beautiful use of chorus singing. I think after a long time, I am listening to a song where the chorus has been used beautifully!!! Absolutely fantastic! Will be posting the video as soon as it comes on youtube. For the moment, enjoy the lyrics:

Professor

 

/* Poonam, You are Forbidden from reading any further 😛 */ 

Year: 1962

Watched Professor, primarily for Shammi Kapoor… The movie, reminds you of the Jaya Bhaduri and Jeetendra starrer Parichay (released in 1972) in bits and pieces. Though, now you know, that Parichay may have been derived from Professor and not vice-versa. We could also blatantly state that the 1965 hit The sound of music was “inspired” by Professor!!! 😐 Well… now thats stretching things a bit too far… !!

Now, coming back to the movie, like you may have guessed, the story line is that of a tyrant Aunt, who is raising her brother’s children. Shammi Kapoor comes as the saviour and falls in love with the eldest sister (played by Kalpana).

The story is ordinary and the movie tickles the funny bone at times… But, what works for the movie totally is Shankar-Jaikishan’s music! Songs have been primarily sung by Lata and Rafi.

Movie Review: Aradhana – Enchantingly beautiful :)

Year: 1969

Watched Aradhana on sunday, then on monday again twice! And THAT never happens with me… Even cult movies like Andaz Apna Apna and Sholay, you cant watch again and again back to back… but Aradhana, I did…

And that made me wonder, what was it in the movie that made me watch it again and again… it was as if, I couldnt get enough of it! Here is the analysis…

Aradhana was released way back in 1969. Starring the not-yet-a-superstar Rajesh Khanna and the demure and pretty Sharmila Tagore. It was not just one, but many things that worked in the favour of the movie.

Kohinoor

Year: 1960

If you have always wondered, why is Meena Kumari’s beauty so over-rated, Kohinoor is a must watch! The lady looks like you must have never seen before… She looks absolutely ravishing as the princess!

Nahin Saamne from Taal

I firmly believe in the power of music. Some songs have the capability to penetrate the thickest of the skins and reach the soul… They touch strings of your heart, you din know existed.

Nahin Saamne is one such song… It makes me cry every single time I listen to it. Yes! Every single time. And if i listen to it 5 times a day, I know ill cry 5 times at least that day. And that too one particular piece of music…

Lyrics:

देखो छोड़ के किस रस्ते वो जाते हैं
सारे रस्ते वापस मेरे दिल को आते हैं

नहीं सामने…
नहीं सामने ये अलग बात है
मेरे पास है….
मेरे पास है तू मेरे पास है
मेरे साथ है

तेरा नाम मैंने लिया है यहाँ
मुझे याद तुने किया वहाँ
बड़े ज़ोर की आज बरसात है…
मेरे पास है…

बिचाद के भी मुझसे जुदा तो नही
खफ़ा है मगर बेवफा तो नहीं
मेरे हाथ मे ही तेरा हाथ है…
मेरे पास है….

Does this happen to you????? Ever?????