Yuvvraaj – music binds love

Produced and Directed by: Subhash Ghai
Lyrics: Gulzaar
Music: AR Rahman
Audio on: T-Series
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, and Zayed Khan

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

Taal – a beat of Passion. It was the last time when Subhash Ghai struck gold. Kisna – a warrior poet, sank with traces left thanks to Rahman’s music. Now he is back with Yuvvraaj (double v and double a intended) and believes that “music binds love”. Not too sure how the movie will fare after what we have seen in Kisna, but I can tell you music will definitely bring in some wealth for the producer.

AR Rahman teams up with Gulzaar this time to deliver some soulful music for Yuvvraaj. After a perfect soundtrack for Taal, comparisons are unavoidable whether Rahman has met the standards set by him. Comparing Taal with Yuvvraaj would be inappropriate as the former is more Western music weaved into Indian and this one’s the other way around.

Usually Rahman’s music grows on you. It sometime doesn’t appeal immediately, but after a few rounds of listening, the tunes just keep haunting you. So let’s get straight to the tracks.

Track 01. Main Hoon Yuvvraaj – Salman Khan
This one is perhaps a bit of film’s background score, used as space filler. It is Beethoven no: 5 backed by Salman’s vocals (arrogant lines, would be appropriate). Serves as an intro to the album. Scores (NA/10)

Track 02. Tu Meri Dost Hain – Benny Dayal, Shreya Ghosal, AR Rahman
Right from the start, this song won my heart. This one is my favourite track in the album. Beautifully rendered by Benny Dayal and has superb closure by Shreya Ghosal. The Cello dominates the overall music and in fact the entire album. Instruments are simple, but tune is the king here. I almost repeated the track 5 times when I heard it for the first time. Scores (10/10)

Track 03. Shano Shano – Sonu Nigam, Srinivas, Karthik
At the outset the song sounded disappointing, but given the knowledge that not every tune of Rahman appeals immediately I gave it a second try. Apart from few strange vocals in between and a strange transition from disco-thequish music to Teen Maar, the song seems ok. What remains with you after you listen the song is the strange sound of Shano Shano. Having said that will have to admit, Rahman has done better disco songs (Fanaa – Yuva). Perhaps this will sound better with accompanying visuals. Scores (9/10)/

Track 04. Tu Muskura – Alka Yagnik, Javed Ali
This is another soulful track in the album. Alka Yagnik is impressive in this. Last time I was so impressed with Alka Yagnik was in “Yeh Rishta” song from Meenaxi. Rahman magically weaves the tune of this track into other tracks in the album. A fleeting tune of this song in Cello sweeps across the other songs in the album. I can bet you cannot resist the urge to repeat this song again and again. Javed Ali continues to impress after his “Jashn-e-Bahara” and “Kabhi Kabhi Aditi”. This one is my second favourite in the album. Scores (10/10)

Track 05. Mastam Mastam – Sonu Nigam, Alka Yagnik, Naresh, Benny Dayal
Mastam Mastam allures with variety of instruments, claps, lively singing by Sonu Nigam. Nice to hear Sonu sing again for Rahman. Track starts off slowly and moves to very delightful mood with very lively lyrics with excellent vocals from all singers. Another favourite of mine, which gives you a feel like this, is “Rang Hain” from Meenaxi. Score (10/10)

Track 06. Zindagi – Srinivas
Zindagi is a very good composition and Gulzar mark lyrics. Somehow I felt Srinivas’s voice did not suit the song, Rahman himself or Sonu could have been good. Nevertheless the song sounds very good. I can’t help but feel that the song feels like second bit of Lukka Chuppi from Rang De Basanti, where Rahman sings “Kya bataaon maa”. Overall the song feels like it would be better when seen. Scores (9/10)

Track 07. Dil Ka Rishta – Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod, AR Rahman
Very tough to decide who was good at singing this one? Sonu, Roop or Rahman! From the sound of it sounds like the song, which culminates the movie. Not too sure who sung the English piece of it, he has done a very good job! With a simple tempo the song heightens it towards the end of it. Score (9/10)

Track 08. Manmohini Morey – Vijay Prakash
This is Indian Classical on western instruments. The song is very likeable from the beginning, my guess it is filmed on Anil Kapoor. Very well sung by Vijay Prakash, short and sweet. Scores (10/10)

Track 09. Shano Remix
Remix of Shano. It is strictly ok with rap in between. Scores (7/10)

Yuvvraaj is another success for Rahman this year after Jodha Akbar, Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na and Ada. But hey it doesn’t end here. There is Ghajni coming up and promises to pack a lot of Rahmanesque effect!

Overall Score: 9.5/10

Go for it!

Popularity: 18%

So folks, you must be thinking what am I upto? Reviewing Satya (1998) which released about a decade ago? Well, let me clarify that I am starting this new series to write about some classic Indian hit movies. You are welcome to comment and remind us about any classics that you think our readers would love to “Re-View”. So here we start.

Satya – The Other side of the truth

The earlier caption for the movie was “Love story of a lie” which was changed later as the producers must have thought nobody perceived it as a love story . If one were to list India’s all time greatest movies, Satya would definitely find a mention in that. Talk about the narrative, technical aspects, background score, direction it scores in all segments.

Satya proved once again that script is king in a movie. With no notable stars other than Urmila Matondkar, it left an outstanding impression on the audience who wondered if they have seen a Hindi movie or something else. With a big time flop like Daud, Ramgopal Varma found a much needed come back in Satya (well it is a different matter where he is nowadays)

The Story

The story of Satya is simple, a transformation of a nondescript person into a gangster and thereafter. Satya arrives in Mumbai, happens to stumble into some goons who work for different underworld gangs. He is jailed in one of his tussle with a gangster, Jagga  and that is where he meets Bhiku Matrey. Bhiku runs a gang for Bhav Thakurdas Jhawle, a gangster turned politician. Guru Narayan, is another gangster who works for Bhav and is estranged friend of Bhiku.

Satya kills Jagga and Guru wants a revenge and attacks Satya and his gang. Bhiku assumes, Guru is after his life and plots to kill him. Bhav intervenes to calm down the situation as these could cause him trouble in upcoming election. Bhav promises Guru that he can kill Satya but should not fight Bhiku. Satya influences Bhiku to go against Bhav’s will to kill Guru and they do so a thrilling chase. While all this is happening, Satya develops a love interest in his neighbour, Vidya.

In the meanwhile a new police commissioner for Mumbai starts a clean up of underworld and starts eliminating gangsters in encounters. One of Satya’s aide gets killed in one of these and Satya persuades his gang to assassinate the commisioner and teach police a lesson.

What happens next is a exciting turn of events which lead to the culmination of the story. The penultimate 30 minutes are some exceptional piece of cinema that you would have ever witnessed in a Hindi movie.

Performances 

Each character in the movie leaves a solid impression on the minds of viewer. Every actor in the movie came up with brilliant performances, that grow on you every time you watch the movie. Cine viewers stood up and took notice of Manoj Bajpai’s performance, which created a lasting impression on everyone. Satya played by Chakravarthy described what method acting is to many of the actors in the industry. Urmila, shed her image of glamour girl and very easily slipped into a role of girl next door.

Technical aspects

Only one word, phenomenal. Sandeep Chowta’s background score gives the dark mood to the movie. Editing by Bhanodaya and Apoorva was slick. Cinematography and sound effects match Hollywood standards. Top marks to Ramgopal Varma, who was in full form and delivered this gritty, hard-hitting gangster movie which paved way for a new Genre in Hindi cinema.

Rating

****1/2

It is human tendency to believe nothing is perfect . If you think I have persuaded you enough, then go grab a DVD and watch it now! You can buy a DVD from your nearest music store or rent it on DVD rentals such as Big Flix. But don’t go hunting for this on any online movie sites. Stop Piracy!

Enjoy!

Popularity: 11%