Last night I saw Slumdog Millionaire. I was happy I saw it, though I was not euphoric. Almost everyone in India is speaking about it. Let me put down my 10 penny’s worth of reflections about this gripping movie.

First, we should not in all fairness usurp credit for the production as an Indian movie. It is a British production with a majority of Indian faces.

I felt disgusted with some of the scenes in the movie – particularly where the hero jumps into the cesspool in his excitement to see Amitabh Bachhan. This is hardly reflective of the reality in any part of India. I was filled with equal revulsion to see a child being blinded by putting liquid metal in the eye. The communal fury and violence was another disturbing scene. I thought this was artistic license taken too far.

Danny Boyle captured the attention of the world with a few sweeping, wild caricatures of India. Millions of people world wide will now perceive India as a land of cesspools, abominable cruelty on children and communal flare up. Even if such occurrences were based on reality, it does not feel good to wash our dirty linen in public.

On the other hand, people living in depraved conditions in slums are a reality. How I wish we did something about improving their lot rather than wishing the slums away!

However much I searched and tried, I could not see the movie ending on a note of hope and optimism. Winning a lottery on a string of coincidences is hardly what I would term as inspirational.

In the latest issue of Sunday Times, Dr.Deepak Chopra, the world renowned spiritual writer, makes two fascinating points about Slumdog Millionaire.

One, “Many well educated Indians have looked westward for a long time, which is easier than looking inward. They know more about the streets of London and New York than the teeming lanes of the ghettos in their own city.” Two, “Past history and ingrained inhibitions make it hard for Indian artists in any field to be as frank and true to life as they should be. They have yet to seize freedom.”

In our land we have slumdogs (I am referring to the poor in general) and they inhabit a world of their own. Their culture, morals, rules and life in general are different. The more affluent do not mix with the folks in this land.

Then there is the land of the rich – meaning people in the middle and upper strata of society. Their culture, morals, rules and aspirations are also very different. They prefer to live, as far away from the slumdogs as possible.

The slumdogs and the rich meet in movie halls. Sitting in different classes, they sink into the make-believe fantasy world of movies for about 2 hours or more. They see glamorized rags to riches stories, the hero vanquishing the evil after unbelievable stunts. They do not come to the movies to see their world as it is. The slumdogs cannot afford the pain of more pain and the millionaires cannot bear the intrusion of reality into their sanitized world.

As it happens most often, the value of Indian talents increase multi-fold after their discovery by the west. The west has validated the truth that several of our artists and technicians are world class. We should thank them for the favour and lose no time in joining in the celebrations earnestly. Let us go gung-ho about the achievements of A.R Rahman, Resool Pookkutty and Gulzar.

However, we must develop our own self respect and make effort of our own, to unearth and recognize our precious talents in various fields.

Finally, isn’t it a matter of pride that all the three Oscar awardees are from the minority community? And the entire nation is proud of them. Despite the poverty and so many other shortcomings, we know the true meaning of “unity in diversity”.

It is celebration time.

Image Credit: Master Orz

Popularity: 12%

Yes, Slumdog Millionaire won the Oscars. Congrats to both Rahman and Rasul for winning the same. It was a well made film and good creativity was seen in the entire film. It’s also possibly the best marketed film but the question is how did the film project India? I just saw the movie today and hence I thought I will chip in with my bit of the movie. I was supposed to have a feel good factor after seeing the movie alas it was the opposite.

The movie started with the slums clearly showing how our slums are and how bad it can be. It’s the truth but it was shown very unrealistically. The kid swimming the shitpool for the autograph of an actor is the first scene which was completely absurd and it clearly shocked me not because it doesn’t happen here but how it shows India in poor light. The film shows poverty and the very negative side of India. The accolades of the Oscar suddenly slipped my India and I was left stung by the complete apathy in projecting the movie as “the world taking note of India”. Is this what we wanted to show them?

Here I can only say we are sadly mistaken. We were the land of maharajas, bullock carts, magicians with the great Indian rope tricks and very poor, for our masters around 60 years ago. Now we have a new status. We are the slumdogs, shit swimmers, beggars, stealers and child racketeers.

Yes they are turning rich and the world is noticing it but they are doing it through the moneys of the westerners or through sheer luck like the winner of the quiz. So if a foreigner tomorrow asks me whether children swim in shit-ponds in India what can I say, for it is the image created in the western world.

In my article the third stimulus package I had written about the stimulus provided to the Indian market. But whom are they benefitting after all? We are not slum dogs just because we live in slums. If we are not, then what are we doing about these people? Elections have come and gone the slums still remains as it is. Government spends crores on election advertising and all tax sops which is sheer wastage of taxpayer’s money. Can’t we accommodate the poor in good houses?

If slumdog is not the image which we want to project the western world then what should it be? The buoyant Indian economy needs an image modification and we have to do just the right thing to eradicate the wrong image projected of India.

Surely we can take pride of Rahman who is extremely talented and Rasul too. But was this the right way to win an Oscar? Danny Boyle’s film had brought some cheers to the foreigners reeling under recession and wanting to blame India for all their worries.

It’s time we remind ourselves of this sorry saga and elect the right person to the chair at least the next time.

Popularity: 14%

Will Smith comes on stage to present the award for the best action movies. The Academy awards for best action movie goes to Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Eric Barba, Steve Preeg accepted the award. This one is the third one for The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. I need to watch this movie now.

The award for Sound Editing goes to The Dark Night and the award is accepted by Richard King.

The award for best Sound Mixing goes to Resul Pookutty for Slumdog Millionaire. Resul says history is being handed to him. How true. We are proud of you, Resul Pookutty. India Special salutes you!

Another one..

The award for best Film Editing goes to Dickens for Slumdog Millionaire. What a night this is turning out to be for India. This is the 6^th award for India.

Slumdog Millionaire has definitely put India on the map. I hope the Indian public wakes up and gives the crew a rousing welcome like they did for the cricketers and Olympians.

Three cheers for Slumdog….Hip Hip Hurray! (3 times)

Am I too excited…I hope there is more!

Popularity: 21%

Editor’s note : This article was originally published on Jan 12, 2009 even before it got nominated for the Oscars.

Caution: The article contains spoilers to the movie and reading further may reduce the joy of actually watching it.

First of all, congratulations to the crew of “Slumdog Millionaire” for winning the Golden Globe and other awards. Special congratulations to the movie director Danny Boyle and AR Rahman. Danny Boyle has succeeded in creating a movie that viewers are going crazy about.

The movie begins with the protogonist Jamaal Malik (played by Dev Patel), a Mumbai slumdweller and serving tea at a call center, being interrogated by the Mumbai police. He is suspected of committing fraud while answering all the questions leading to the 20 million rupee question in the Kaun Banega Crorepathi (KBC) program.

Jamaal explains each of his life experiences that help him answer the questions on the KBC program. The experience takes us through the tough life Jamaal has had and touches upon uncomfortable issues like the shocking Mumbai slum life, communal riots, child begging rackets, child prostituition, the other side of Agra and the Mumbai underworld. It also takes us through India’s economic development, the call centers and globalization.

The film essentially showcauses the two key relationships in Jamaal’s life- one with his elder brother Salim and the other with his true love- Latika. Whereas Jamaal is an innocent boy with only goodness in him, Salim is more complex. He rescues Jamaal from critical situations but also causes Jamaal considerable anguish by becoming a part of the underworld and also separting Jamaal from Latika forcibly. But Jamaal is undeterred in his quest to regain his true love and finally triumphs. Salim’s love for his younger brother Jamaal also triumphs in the end.

Interestingly, Jamaal also wins the KBC contest and wins Rs.20 million but that is not really what Jamaal is after. The movie ends with a delightful song and dance number and it ends that way for a reason. Watch the movie to find out.

This is a great rag to riches movie which makes the viewers feel good at the end. No wonder the movie is a hit abroad. The cast includes Anil Kapoor, Irfaan Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and Saurab Shukla. The music by AR Rahman is excellent (not his best though) and the soundtrack, especially “O Saya” grows on you.

Now, this brings us to the question – Will “Slumdog Millionaire” win the Oscars? The film already has won 4 Golden Globe  awards and is a solid contender for the Oscar awards.

The coverage in the western press has been extremely positive. From Chicago Sun-Times to People , New York Times and Wall Street Journal the reviews have been outstanding.  Wall Street Journal goes on to praise it as a good movie for the bad times.

I am however surprised by the hostile reaction of the Indians who have seen the movie who complain it as over-hyped and show India in a bad light. Agreed the movie has some dark moments and can create a negative impression of India. But then what is shown is reality from which we cannot escape. Perhaps they should see “Oliver Twist” before complaining. Moreover, the complaint is missing the whole point.

At the end of it, the movie will be remembered not for its depiction of India but as a movie that celebrates the triumph of goodness, hope and real love.  And that in India, it is possible even for a “slumdog” (not used in a derogatory way) to become a “millionaire“.

As far as awards are concerned, my gut feeling is, this movie will bring Oscars to India. “Maybe, its written”. If you have already seen the movie, you know what I mean.

My recommendation:you may know the story, there are flaws in the movie,but watch it for its grand finale and also the joyous movie viewing experience.

PS: Watch this amazing video

Image Credit: Itdan

Popularity: 15%

Ok, the Oscar nominations are out and the underdog Slumdog Millionaire is nominated in 10 categories. And after winning the Golden Globe, AR Rahman has three nominations! Yes!

Best Background Score
Best Song 1: O…Saya
Best Song 2: Jai Ho…

While it Oscar is perhaps not a measure for talent of AR Rahman, but I wish he wins it for the sake of it. And makes me wonder if he will bring home not one but two of those men

I definitely feel that AR Rahman has done better work than Slumdog Millionaire, and if he wins this, then he world will sit up and take notice of what talent this man possesses.

Other categories that Slumdog Millionaire has been nominated are:

Cinematography,Directing, Film Editing, Motion Picture of the Year, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Screenplay.

I wish there will be a time, when countries all over the world will compare their musician to Rahman and call them something like “Rahman of the West”.

All the best AR Rahman!

Popularity: 9%

I was elated to hear that AR Rahman won a Golden globe.

It’s great and in this context let me bring the (fuel the) most debated topic or comparison. Who is the best music composer in India? Rahman or Ilayaraja? (Leaving other options for simple reason that I don’t know much to discuss)

More comparisons are drawn between these two legends because of the fact that they are from same part of the country. So I propose to put forth some of the things I feel are worth considering, which will definitely help you chose your favorite among them.

The most striking similarity between both of them is unmatched genius, which revolutionized the Indian music arena. Both of their works reach one and all without any boundaries, which placed them, much above their contemporaries.

Ilayaraja entered the industry when songs in movies were not of that prominence in the films like when they used to be in the golden era of black and whites. Songs were more like cigarette breaks in the films. Entry of Illayaraja, with melody as his forte, people started loving his songs. He enjoyed a star status in Tamil Nadu with his large cutouts being erected at theatres in that time.

So perfect in his composition, (hear this) Ilayaraja could play the same notes in different ways that we cannot make a difference. He is the one to introduce western instrumentation to south Indian film music using electric and bass guitar extensively (hear this). But he always made sure that the soul of his tune is completely classical though polished by western.

Rahman’s entry was at a time when music had its recognition in the films. He completely changed the face of Indian music with extensive use of technology and impeccable recording quality with the resources available. He got a jumpstart with Roja and never looked back, became a god to music lovers in no time.

Many music directors till date fall flat trying to imitate Rahman. He completely changed the old typical format of “mukhda antara mukhda” in the songs. A lot of experimentation with multiple singers, varied instruments, fusion, and the scale attempting classical, Hindustani, western classical, jazz, rock what not.

Like Melody has been key to Illayaraja’s songs, Harmony plays a key role in Rahman’s songs.

Illayaraja composed songs, which can be remembered even after centuries for their melodious tunes. However, he did not get a chance to work with a variety of directors, except Maniratnam, Bharatiraja, Vamsi, Vishwanath. Music given to each had its own flavour in tune with the director’s taste.

For instance nobody can expect the first and second are from the same composer. His key focus was to never leave the melody in the song, even in if there is no big situation in the movie to inspire him. Watch this song, Malli Malli.

Rahman on the other hand had it ranging from Maniratnam to Shankar to Ashutosh Gowarikar. This helped him to induce a lot of variety from Sivaji to Khwajaji. It’s like he has no boundaries and can attempt anything, which is a rare quality in a composer. But again, he still has signature on the song with his harmony you can say it’s a ‘Rahman song’.

Finally, in my view, Illayaraja can be called as a King of Melody and Rahman, the king of Harmony!

Hail! ARR! Hail! Illayaraja

Image Credit: Wikipedia and Indiaspecial

Popularity: 18%

Rahman, aren’t you satisfied with all the awards that you are winning for your work last year? Isn’t the Golden Globe that you won this year enough? How could  you do this? How could you bring up another winning score?

Yes, I am talking about Delhi 6.

Simply put, Delhi 6 is a fantastic start for AR Rahman (ARR) this year. After a year full of hit scores and a Golden Globe on the shelf, ARR has set the standard for himself so high that any less quality would not be accepted.

Released in such a situation Delhi 6 is a complete justice! The variety of music that you will find in this album diverse. You have Hindustani Classical, Rajasthani Folk fusion, R&B, Bhajan, Quawali and a few melodies, in short total value for money.

Let’s start with the songs.

Masakali – Already a hit track, this song is likeable right from the start. Some simple lyrics, coupled with excellent singing and fantastic rhythm. This is my most favourite track in the album.

Delhi 6 – Kick-off with simply vocal suddenly kicks in the heavy electric guitar and continues there on with mix of beats and rap. This will become the anthem for Delhi youth pretty soon! The track is very groovy and will soon be on all DJs disk kits.

Dil Gira Dafatan – Cool, simple instruments and melody is key in this track and vocal take the tune through different chords while the background remains. Some very pleasant guitar and listening to track makes you feel as if you are on a train that is passing through hills.

Bhor Bhaye – Hindustani Classical, perhaps a track used in Background Score. I am not adept at reviewing such tracks.

Aarti Tumhare – Devotional Mata Bhajan, again very good lyrics here by Prasoon Joshi and track manages to infuse devotion. I am not too perfect rating this and I checked with my wife, who is very fond of Mata Bhajans and she rated this 10/10.

Arziyan – Quawali style. This is something that ARR never went wrong with. Piya Haji Ali, Almadat Moulah, Noorunallah, Khwaja Mere Khwaja and now Arziyan. Just with two primary instruments, Harmonium and Tabla this song just takes you in. It is almost 8-minute song, but you won’t realize it is so long as after first few minutes you are into it! Excellent.

Genda Phool – Rajasthani folk fusion. Believe it or not this short song is simply fantastic. It is a Rajasthani folk style song mixed with solid western instrumentation. Fusion at its best, outstanding track!

Rehna Tu – Melody Again – AR Rahman renders it with élan. Simple rhythm and great instrumentation adds life this track. Towards the end of the song, don’t know what instrument it is, sounded like a muffled flute, but adds a classical touch to the song. Very good.

Kala Bandar – R&B. This track is perhaps the grooviest track in the album. Straight away a Club number. Blazee has a gala time with Rap. Couple of bits in the song sounds like Dil Ka Rishta from Yuuvraaj. Some breathless singing, sound like Breathless by Shankar Mahadevan (Raga Kalyan, I am told is the Raga for all breathless songs and that is why they sound similar). With totally western instrumentation and rock solid bass it is a celebration in ears.

Noor – Amitabh ends the album a few lines, passable.

Prasoon Joshi demonstrates variety and his vocabulary with a tough jobs on hand he delivers. One thing that I need to tell you is that this album will rattle the rust from those bass drivers in your speakers/headphone. This one packs a punch.

ARR continues his form and deliver yet another winner and forces me to ask, “Will you do this to your next album, Blue?”

Starring: Abhishek Bacchan, Sonam Kapoor

Produced By: UTV Motion Pictures

Directed By: Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra

Music By: AR Rahman

Lyrics By: Prasoon Joshi

Popularity: 18%

AR Rahman, creates history by becoming the first Indian to win of Golden Globe Award. He won this award for excellent background score he composed for the latest movie, Slumdog Millionaire, yesterday, 11th Jan 2008.

The underog called Slumdog Millionaire, sweeped all awards in categories it was nominated for. It won four awards including Best Film, Best Directory, Best Screenplay and Best Original Score.

ARR who is revered as Mozart of Madras has made his presence felt worldwide with this. While his other international works got him a lot of acclaim, this definitely makes him known to folks he was unknown so far.

It was a great day for Indians at Golden Globe as it was not only AR Rahman who was present at the ceremony. Sharukh Khan was the one to present the award to Slumdog Millionaire and was another first of Indian film representation at the awards ceremony.

Slumdog Millionaire is already a favorite for Oscars and may be we are in for more surprises too.

For now… AR Rahman rocks!

Golden Globe Nominations and Winners

Watch award event

Popularity: 14%

I will give credit to Danny Boyle (Director) for handling the movie nicely especially some of the sensitive topics. I will not bore you all repeating about the story, which revolves around this 18-year-old guy from slums cruising towards winning the multi-millionaire game to find his love of life.

The story starts mocking Jamal (the slum guy) on the show referring him as a “chai wala” (a tea supplier) playing who wants to be a millionaire game. He slowly gains confidence of the audience and whole nation when he starts answering all the questions relating them with events happened past in his life. You must watch the movie to see how he relates each answer to the past events. Although its sheer luck factor for Jamal to get questions in the game for answers he can relate. Otherwise a guy who does not know the image of Gandhi on a 1000-rupee note can answer a question about image on 100-dollar denomination. Anil Kapoor as usual acted very well in the movie as the show compeer. Jamal could answer all questions in the game based on past events but the last one. So go watch it how he answers the last question and finds his lady love.

Some excellent performances from all actors make this movie look real and touching. Every kid who acted in the movie leaves a lasting impression. “Feel Good movie of decade”, is how this movie is being promoted and it doesn’t seem exaggerating once you watch it.

Conclusion: Nice movie. Good direction, excellent background score by AR Rahman. But there are couple of disturbing scenes shown in the movie on poverty. Not that they aren’t true, but I guess all these days we have struggled lot to improve our India’s image from “Poor” to advanced state of developing nation. I am yet to see a movie by a foreign director on a new concept other than poverty in India.

Go watch this one!

Rating: ****1/2

Popularity: 14%

Tough task, but I have decided to list top 20 all time best tracks composed by AR Rahman (ARR). Me being a die hard fan of ARR it is very difficult to list only 20.   These are the 20 songs I would never skip when I am playing all of ARR’s songs on my music player. So here you go! and mind you they are in no particular order.

Track Name	Album	Language
Yeh Jo Des Hain Tera	Swades	Hindi
Dil Se Re	Dil Se	Hindi
Jashn – e – Bahara	Jodha Akbar	Hindi
Tu Meri Adhoori	Ghajini	Hindi
Vasta Nee Venuka	Nani	Telugu
Preminche Premava	Nuvvu Nenu Prema	Telugu/Tamil
Hello Doctor	Prema Desam	Telugu/Hindi/Tamil
Prema Prema	Prema Desam	Telugu/Hindi/Tamil
Chaiyya Chaiyya	Dil Se	Hindi
Nahin Samne	Taal	Hindi
Taal Se Taal Mila	Taal	Hindi
Yeh Haseen Vaadiyan	Roja	Telugu/Hindi/Tamil
Dum Daro Dum Daro	Guru	Hindi
Saathiya	Saathiya	Telugu/Hindi/Tamil
Vandemataram	Vandemataram	Hindi/Tamil
Shakala Baby	Mudalavan	Tamil/Telugu/Hindi/English
Do Kadam Aur Sahi	Meenaxi	Hindi
Tu Hain Zubaan	Ada	Hindi
Des Mere Des Mere	The Legend of Bhagat Singh	Hindi
Baadal Jo Aaye	Yuva	Hindi

Phew! If I were to pick one and only one to listen, then it would be “Yeh Jo Des Hain Tera” from Swades.

Ok, Ok, I can already hear you all asking me about Rang De Basanti, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and other scores of compositions of ARR. But you see like I said these are my favorites. Please do share your favorites in comments. I am certain this is going to be a never ending list!

Run, get your headphones on!

Popularity: 31%

Starring: Aamir Khan, Asin, Jiah Khan, Pradeep Raawat
Production: Geetha Arts
Lyrics: Prasoon Joshi
Music: AR Rahman
Directed By: AR Murugadoss

Ok, before I begin let me reiterate that Ghajini is not Memento. Expect for the “Short Term Memory Loss”, everything else about Ghajini is different.

This isn’t a standard run-of-the-mill Bollywood affair. It is strikingly different from the first frame. The strength of the movie is its script. It is so well written that it keeps you on the edge all through. You would not get time to think as the movie progresses.

I am not going to talk about the story of the movie as you can see that I am already recommending you to watch it.

I have seen the south version of the movie and I would say it is thankfully a very well made remake. There have been few changes in the script, and they are welcome changes. Aamir did full justice to the role. The hardwork he has put in to look the character is commendable. He looks amazing in both the getups in the movie. Few sequences where he was outstanding were, the hostel scene, the hospital scene and the entire climax. You just get absorbed into the happenings, thanks to Aamir. However I felt Surya excelled in few scenes in the original, especially the ones leading to the whole saga (you will know when you watch). Asin was spot on. She seemed very comfortable. She provides the much needed relief for this dark love story. Jiah Khan was fine. Pradeep Rawat, is excellent as the bad guy.

Another thing that would hit you hard is the stunts, these aren’t something that were perhaps seen in any other Hindi movie so far. Peter Hain and Stunt Siva are the stunt coordinators and have done a very superb job. The fights look real, very real. Though they at times are violent, they seem ok in the context of movie.

Cinematography, Ravi K Chandran has captured some spectacular visuals for the movie, be it the beauty of the dead desert in the song Guzarish or the Steadycam shots from the climax of the movie, they are brilliant.

Music by AR Rahman is a major asset, apart from the songs, it is the background score that adds the feel to the movie, music drives the mood almost through the 40 penultimate minutes. Songs are beautifully picturised. In my music review for Ghajini, I mentioned that I did not like the Behka song too much. But once I watched the movie, it turned out to be one of my favorites.

Murgadoss deserves special accolades for improving his original idea. His script is the king of this movie. He is sure-shot winner for many awards this year.

Production values of movie are lavish. Geetha arts splurged a lot of money on making and promoting. They are certainly going to reap a big benefit.

Finally before I close the review and provide my rating, my words for a few critics, whose review seem to be questioning logical issues in the movie. I think Cinema is supposed to be made with some cinematic liberties. Pointing them out as logical errors in my view is pointless. It is like asking, how come there is background score when two people are speaking. A good effort deserves to be praised.

Just go and enjoy this good cinema, you will not be disappointed.

Rating:****1/2

Popularity: 16%

 The year 2008 saw 4 releases already from AR Rahman – Jodha Akbar, Ada, Jaane Tu..Ya Jaane Na and now Yuvraaj. Come December he will release his fifth one – Ghajini. Sometimes I wonder where does he get all this energy and creativity from ?

Arguably, this would be the most productive year from AR Rahman.

I heard the music of Yuvraaj some three times today. Must say some of them are pretty hummable. Considering AR Rahman’s earlier work, I can confidently say this is not the best from him. May be the best is still in store – Ghajini ? What say ?

Ok, coming to the review

Main Hoon Yuvraaj

If not for the background music, the rendering from Salman Khan is very disappointing. The background score sounded more like Beethoven’s masterpice – his 5^th Symphony.

My verdict – Melodramatic.

Tu Meri Dost Hain

It sounded as if the song has been lifted from the song – Aaja Gufaaon mein Aa…from the film Aks, especially the start. Shreya Ghosal was refreshing, Benny Dayal sounded more like K.K. The instrumentals in this song are also good.

My verdict – Pretty good.

Aakash Gandhi on NaachGaana.com wrote

The true beauty of music is realized when a full orchestration of acoustics, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussions, synths, and pads liquefy into an other-worldly phenomenon set to light your soul ablaze. This is how Tu Meri Dost Hai ravishes

Mastam Mastam

Very youthful, extremely catchy Mastam Mastam leaves with you a tune that is hummable till the next Rahman track is released. Sung by Sonu Nigam, the song is also supported by Alka Yagnik, Benny and Naresh.

Naresh who ?

Well, we are talking about AR Rahman and he has this knack of introducing young talents. C’mon give the youngster a chance !

My verdict – Listen for Sonu!

Tu Muskura

This song has the soul of Alka Yagnik and the metallic voice of Javed Ali. Well, I read this review on the song and I couldn’t stop myself from putting it out here.

Her vocals simply glow in exuberance as Gulzar’s metaphorically touching words kiss Yagnik’s lips with a resonating shower of aural supremacy

Sounded sensuous ? Wondering how can the vocals glow ?

Never mind – Fact is the song is good. Go listen !

Shano Shano

My two cents- “Under under, beach ka Sam-under”

An offbeat track that lacks the beats to be played in discos.. Although the number has a cool funky tune to it, Rahman fails to make this hip-hop dance number his own. Nevertheless, the song grows on you as you listen to it. AR Rahman can definitely get better.

Many artists sing this song – I will not bother to mention their names, even..

Zindagi

My pick of the album. Sung by Srinivas, this song will be remembered for its melody. It seems Srinivas is following the footsteps of Hariharan. It is a peaceful song, one that you’d love to hear while lying down in the bed.

My take – Zindagi brings Life to the album

Dil Ka Rishta

Hummable. Could have been better. Roop Kumar Rathod was a disappointment

Manmohini Morey

Meaningless. But it is AR Rahman. He can make songs out of meaningless dialogues. My points for creativity – mixing techno with classical stuff. This song was rendered by “what was his name, again ?”

Oh! Some one by name Vijay Prakash – Go Google him !

..And let me know !

Popularity: 14%