OM SANTI OM

Shah Rukh Khan’s most awaited and much hyped home production ‘Om Shanti Om’ is one of the magnanimous projects of this year. This mega budget entertainer is slated for Diwali release along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s hi-profile costume drama ‘Saawariya’.

This Farah Khan directed film is the story about reincarnation and is based on the glossy lifestyles of celebrities of Hindi cinema world. Supermodel Deepika Padukone will be making her first solo appearance in this film opposite Shah Rukh, who plays double role.

The film also stars Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade, Kiran Kher, Malaika Arora and Javed Sheikh in supporting roles. The major attraction is the presence of thirty plus noted Bollywood celebrities in the soundtrack “Deewangi Deewangi”. Eminent music duo Vishal-Shekhar gets the opportunity of their lifetime to deliver their most prolific work after the super musical success of ‘Cash’.

The music of ‘Om Shanti Om’ is expected to one of the biggest grossers of this year and has already been making news in talent shows and radio channels. ‘Om Shanti Om’ delivers twelve original soundtracks with blend of sentimental and hip-shaking musical madness in its musical packaging. The songs of ‘Om Shanti Om’ can be heard on T-Series music cassettes and CD’s.

AJAB SI: KK’s voice has always been major feature in Pritam’s albums but this time he delivers a real smoothening soulful experience in mushy lovable soundtrack “Ajab Si”. It’s undoubtedly one of finest soft rock ballads of this year and a befitting tribute to romanticism by Vishal-Shekhar in their career. Vishal Dadlani’s penetrative wordings are real delight to ears and its amicable balancing in mellifluously refined arrangements makes it chartbusting material. Vishal-Shekhar’s soft malleable orchestration comprises supple piano, violin notes that form brilliant chemistry with woodwinds and keyboards notes to produce magical impact. ‘Ajab Si’ will be making big entry on charts and is likely to be promising aspect in film’s narration with positive saleable results.

DARD-E-DISCO: Shah Rukh Khan’s biggest make-over of acquiring six-pack-abs made considerable news and soundtrack “Dard-e-Disco” was its launching vehicle. Sukhwinder Singh delivers this high-profile dancing track that is heavily loaded with Persian-Arabian style of work embellished in trendy disco beat culture. It’s already been a big rage in promos and with Farah Khan’s slick choreography and lavish sets, it’s likely to a big on-screen exhibit.

Caralisa, Marianne D’Cruz and Nisha Mascarenhas’ sensuous background vocals deliver sufficient oomph factor to make it eye-grabbing material for viewers. Sukhwinder gets the first major hit of the year and its second major work after ‘Chhayya Chhayya’ (‘Dil Se’) where he has formed outstanding chemistry with both Khans (Shah Rukh and Farah) to deliver potential results.

DJ Aqueel gets into 80’s style of disco-station antics in remixing this number with typical “club” remixes ethics and the end result is simply fabulous. “Dard-e-Disco (remix)” will be an encouraging factor in album sales as it will be urbane listener friendly for delivering frolicking substance for dancing floors.

DEEWANGI DEEWANGI: “Deewangi Deewangi”, a frivolously packed celebrity-bonding soundtrack, brings out zany signature tune of the film with spirited vocal performances by leading singers of musical fraternity. It’s great experience to hear Udit Narayan, Shaan and Rahul Saxena (Indian Idol contestants) showing great zeal in emanating male-bonding impact. On the contrary, Sunidhi Chauhan along with Shreya Ghoshal complements amicably for feminine counterparts to give it a momentous outlook. This soundtrack will be featuring thirty plus celebrities ranging from Subhash Ghai to Govinda in flashy surroundings of concert-looking extravagance.

Musical madness gets on to extra volumes in “Deewangi Deewangi (Rainbow Mix)” with imposing disco sensations getting itself embellished into “qawwali” and “bhangra” dancing moods. DJ Kiran along with DJ G delivers a rollicking remix stuff that brings back “retro” feel of 70’s and 80’s in a pulsating hot-shot disco beat culture musical stuff.

MAIN AGAR KAHOON: If KK’s mesmerizing voice in “Ajab Si” was a delightful experience then gifted Sonu Nigam delivers added moments of ecstasy and elation in his soft squashy voice in “Main Aggar Kahoon”. Vishal-Shekhar amalgamates the suppleness of Indian classical instrumental works with synchronized violin and piano notes in its impressive musical display. The soundtrack has mushy tingling signature tuneful experiences that bring memories of Shankar Jaikishan’s 60’s magical charm. Shreya Ghoshal’s shimmering vocal impact brings extra mushy flavors that create an aura of serenity in the track. Javed Akhtar’s poetic prowess is the main highlight that gives it narrative edges in its tranquil flow.

JAG SOONA SOONA LAGE: Vishal-Shekhar maintains the decorum of “retro” feel where unconventional voices make imposing impact in sad and morose romantic soundtrack “Jag Soona Soona Lage”. This soundtrack brings memories of successful but different sounding tracks like “Lambi Judai” (Subhash Ghai’s ‘Karz’) and “Beshak Mandir Masjid Todo” (Raj Kapoor’s ‘Bobby’) to senses for its peculiar vocal renditions and lyrical flows. Pakistani Sufi sensation Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice packs melancholically resounding moments of lost-paradise in his excruciating loud pitched rendition. Richa Sharma’s harsh folksy voice has another notable offering in this track where her vocals set the tempo for the proceeding of the track. It will be of great significance in the climax of the film for its enriched melodramatic display but might not be as chartbusting as earlier tracks.

DHOOM TANA: If tracks of ‘Om Shanti Om’ promise vintage feel then it even boasts yesteryear’s talents like Pyarelal (of Laxmikant-Pyarelal fame) in main musical frames with blend of 60’s, 70’s and 80’s retro feel in dancing soundtrack “Dhoom Tana”. This hi-voltage pulsating dancing number has Pyarelal’s orchestration that primarily comprises 40-45 different drums, ranging from ‘tabla’ and ‘dhol’ to ‘dhapli’, harmonized expertly with 40 plus violins and 22 woodwinds, amongst other percussive instruments. Abhijeet, an SRK favorite in late 90’s along with melodious Shreya Ghoshal, cherishes Bollywood’s golden era as the mood swivels from 50’s to 80’s in its high-pitched interludes. Vishal-Shekhar’s arrangements are finely tuned with Pyarelal’s orchestration in making it crowd-appealing number on the silver screen.

DASTAAN-E-OM SHANTI OM: The soul of reincarnation vendetta saga erupts on with typical theatrical singing modes as affable Shaan’s vocals croon out emotions of ‘Om Shanti Om’ in sentimental number “Daastan-e-Om Shanti Om”. It strikes chord with “Ek Hasina Thi” (Subhash Ghai’s ‘Karz’) in its musical presentation where protagonist narrates his painful nostalgic moments through well narrated phrases and verses. This may not be the finest of Shaan’s works of this year but attracts eyeballs for its peculiar heart-throbbing theme and substance. Vishal-Shekhar’s energizing synchronized orchestration delivers shades of emotions that deserve to be applauded for its enriched harmonic affluence.

“Daastan-e-Om Shanti Om (The Dark Side Mix)” by DJ Nikhil Chinnapa, Zoheb and DJ Naved is stylized conceived promotional track that can well be catalyzed in promos and teasers of the film. It has darker side of human emotions in its daunting impulse with snazzy DJ claps and scratches making it perfect club remix track.

Vishal-Shekhar delivers their most pompous musical work of lifetime in ‘Om Shanti Om’ and predictably a potential winner in terms of commercial success. The album is expected to be one of the biggest grosser of 2007 and all credits to fine blend of Indian and western musical works by singers, lyricists, arrangers and composers. Soundtracks like “Deewangi Dewangi”, “Dard-e-Disco”, “Dhoom Tana”, “Main Agar Kahoon” and “Ajab Si” are sure shot chartbusting success while the rest of the numbers fits intro situation with great ease. It’s likely to be a big musical event for all ardent Bollywood musical fans and biggest musical success for talented and deserving Vishal-Shekhar.

JAB WE MET

Starring Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Dara Singh, Kiran Juneja
Music by Pritam

Produced by Dhillin Mehta
Written and Directed by Imtiaz Ali

Jab We Met, is a Bollywood film directed by Imtiaz Ali, who earlier directed Socha Na Tha starring Ayesha Takia and Abhay Deol.

The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in their fifth film together and will be produced by Dhillin Mehta under Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd. The film’s score and soundtrack is composed by Pritam with lyrics by Irshad Kamil and is scheduled for a release in October.

It is the story of industrialist Aditya (Shahid Kapur) who feels defeated as the girl he loves is getting married. He drifts out of the gathering, and finds himself on a train, speeding away into the night.

A young girl Geeta (Kareena Kapoor), who is leaving Mumbai to elope with her boyfriend, meets Aditya. She irritates him to the point of leaving the train. They are stranded on a desolate station, without luggage or money.

They reach Ambala, her house, through highs and lows, only to be mistaken as lovers by the family. Geet then plans to run away to Manali to meet the man of her dreams.

By Manali, he has begun to see her in a different way. To realize later that her boyfriend had not accepted her. And she was missing. Her family traces him to get her back.

It is up to her to tell her family the truth. Only that she realizes that the misconception was the truth.. And they are meant to be together, always.

JODHA AKBAR

Just lliked this article so that to share it with you all, as it’s of one of the blogger have written in AOL India Blogs about the movie Jodhaa Akbar in a very classy way:

To borrow the famous words of Mel Brooks,”The Legend had it coming”. At least it deserved a perspective from one of our best film makers.

Another two weeks before the might of the Mughal Empire unleashes on a Cinema screen near you.
And for the majority who is apt to get confused at the whole premise of AKBAR the GREAT and this Rajput Princess “thingy”, better ruffle through those old history textbook pages once again, if you can find them, that is.
It shouldn’t matter anyways.

For the rest who scream from the nearest fort ramparts about how Ashutosh Gowariker is shortchanging history and manipulating facts to his own interests, I say, please give him a break.
He has proved to be a great story teller, and a fine craftsman of the Silverscreen and if he wants to tell you a story in his own terms, let him do it.

Knowing Ashutosh Gowariker and his portfolio of fine craftsmanship, JODHA-AKBAR wouldn’t be disappointing. I am hoping that my wait was worth it. AR Rahman’s music that seems to be flowing at you from every second FM station these days doesn’t seem to disappoint you. Though as far as Ashutosh’s handful of movies are considered, the music played its part in the entire movie and then kept quiet. The stress was on the wholesome movie and not on the “item” numbers which usually are marketed as by-products of the main movie.

For those who came into the history classes late, or have never ever attended it once, arguably(after all, it wouldn’t be history if we didn’t, get it.) Jodha Bhai was the daughter of King Bharmal who gives away her daughter in marriage to young Jalaluddin, who makes his valiant presence felt in the battlefield, and is soon to be crowned and be known as Akbar the Great.

In keeping with the traditions based on the social customs and conditions of those times, marriages were more political alliances than “suitable”matches, and they kept the entire machinery of the Hindustan’s splintered royalty chugging on smoothly.

Seen as a prequel to Mughal-e-Azam, everything that has been done to Jodha-Akbar has been done in a grand scale or maybe, in Ashutosh Gowariker’s way of translating opulence. I always shiver at the prospect of those period drams that graced our silverscreen in recent times, and the apprehensions are still there, restless, but they have been unceremoniously banished to the back of my mind.

The last one that came in during Diwali(not exactly of the epic variety,but the marketing mandarins were adamant!), in an arresting blue afterglow, and spelling out opulence in big, large, cringing NEON from its every set, had me fleeing the Cinema. And that from another acclaimed Director.

For Hrithik Roshan, this is an “epic role”of a lifetime(though I am wondering what would best describe his role as Gautam Buddha for Shyam Benegal’s next project).

This also happens to be Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan’s first release post wedding, so it gains all the more gravitas as it naturally attains the grand inertia of the the First Family of Bollywood. Mme Rai’s last foray into an epic was to say the least “scathing”.

Maybe its just the beginning of epic roles for Hrithik.

SARKAR RAJ

Sarkar Raj is the much awaited sequel to the acclaimed hit film Sarkar by Ram Gopal Varma. Sarkar was inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather, but the sequel will be completely original.

Both the films have been claimed to be loosely based on the family of Balasaheb Thackeray, Sarkar Raj being adapted from the Enron issue. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the first time in a film post Aishwarya and Abhishek’s marriage.

The film is set to release on June 6, 2008.

Movie Synopsis:
When Anita Rajan, CEO of an international firm, brings a power plant proposal to set up in rural Maharashtra, before the Nagres, the insightful Shankar is quick to realize its benefits. After convincing Sarkar, Shankar along with Anita goes to the villages to mobilize support of the masses. However, things are not what they seem to be. From shady fixers with an eye on multi-million kick-backs to wannnabes who are ready to incite millions of people against the highly controversial project, Shankar’s dream project gradually becomes a political minefield. Evil forces gang up to bring down the regime of Sarkar and obliterate Shankar’s name from the political horizon.

Characters:
1. Subhash Nagre/Sarkar- Patriarch of the Nagre clan who is known as the messiah to the people of his region and comes from the root of the society of Mumbai.

2. Shankar Nagre – Heir of the Nagre clan. Shankar is associated with his father in the services to the people. Shankar is a sophisticated individual with leadership skills in politics and bringing business to the common people.

3. Anita Rajan- An aggressive and highly ambitious business woman from London who is the CEO of Sheppard Power plant. She is instrumental in setting things in motion.

Presenter: Adlabs Films
Producer: K Sera Sera, Z Picture Company
Director: Ram Gopal Varma

DRONA

Drona a movie by Abhishekh’s childhood friend Goldie Behl, again featuring Abhishekh Bachchan.

Drona is the much awaited fantasy action adventure film starring Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Jaya Bachchan, and Kay Kay Menon.

Drona has been described as a Harry Potter meets Indiana Jones movie, but with an original story. Drona will display hundreds of top notch special effects shots that were worked on by EyeQube headed by Charles Darby and David Bush.

Drona will also feature Indian martial arts such as: Kalaripayat,Chhau,Gatka, and sword fighting. Drona was filmed in exotic locations in Prague, Bikaner, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Namibia. Drona releases worldwide on October 2, 2008.