When a Bollywood movie is made, the first aspect of the film to reach the viewer is its music. Most film makers these days try to give their best shot to the music of their film because it plays an important part in the promotion and success of the film. The music of 2011was no different as most of the successful films made in the year had good music. Here are some of the highlights of what 2011 had to offer in terms of music. Though the music becomes hit much before the film hits the theatre, this review is being done according to the release of the films.

The start of the year was with a slightly different film. No One Killed Jassica. Though the film did not have much scope for music, its songs Dilli and Aali Re were heard regularly on various radio and Television channels. January also saw the release of films like Yamla Pagla Deewana, which was a total entertainer and Dil To Baccha Hai Ji. Though the title song of Yamla Pagla Deewana tried to cash an old Dharmendra hit, the success of the song was an indicator of the fact that Dharmendra and his songs are still popular among the masses. The other song of the film, which gained a lot of popularity was Tinku Jiya.

Unlike some of his earlier films, Madhur Bhandarkar laid a lot of stress on music in his film Dil To Baccha Hai Ji and also enjoyed its fruits as the songs of the film like Abhi Kuchh Dinon Se, Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala and Tere Bin became big hits. But at the same time, the music of Hostel and another big film Turning 30 had no takers.

February month saw the release of one of the biggest musical hits of the year Patiala House. Though the film failed at the box office, the songs of the film were really good. While the entire album was worth listening, Long Da Lashkara and Rola Pe Gaya were super hits of 2011. The other musical hit of the month was Tanu Weds Manu. The music of Tanu Weds Manu was a complete album because whereas on one hand it had peppy numbers like Sadi Gali and Jugni, it also had a beautiful number Rangrez, which was a treat to ears. Darling from Saat Khoon Maaf was also liked by people. But other films released in February including Utt Pataang, Tum Hi To Ho, Angel, Aashiqui.in and Satrangee Parachute did not have any hit song in them.

Now we turn to the music of films released in April because there were no major releases in March this year. April saw the release of FALTU and its song Party Abhi Baaki Hai, which not only became a hit but a Youth Anthem in the first part of the year. Apart from FALTU, Dum Maro Dum also had some good musical numbers, which were a hit. But whereas the title song of Dum Maro Dum came under severe criticism, the remix of Laila O Laila in Chalo Dilli was praised by everyone. The song Razia from Thank You, the Title song of Teen Thy Bhai and Saibo from Shor In The City were other big hits of the month. The song Mehki-Mehki from Game was also heard by the music lovers. April also saw the release of Zokkomon, I Am and Naughty At 40 but none of these films had any good song.

Some big releases of May like Haunted, Ragini MMS, Kuchh Love Jaisa Stanley Ka Dabba, 404 Error Not Found, Kashmakash and College Campus did not have any big musical number. But it doesn’t mean the films released in May had no good music. The Muttron Song from Luv Ka The End, all songs of Pyar Ka Punchnama and Sarphira Sa Hai Dil from Love You Mr Kalakar got good response.

The start of June was important to the Hindi film industry because Salman Khan’s Ready was not only a big film but its music was also highly awaited. Songs from the film like Character Dheela and Dhinka Chika broke all records. The Month also saw the release of Double Dhamaal, which had the hit number Jalebi Bai. Hawa Hawai and Nasha from Shaitaan and the songs of Bin Bulaye Baraati like Shaalu were also big hits. But films like Bheja Fry 2, Bhindi Bazaar, Always Kabhi Kabhi, Love Express and West Is West did not produce any great number.

Apart from a great month for the films, July also proved to be a great month for the music. Apart from all songs of Delhi Belly and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, title song of Bbuddah Hoga Terra Baap and Singham, Tai Tai Pish of Chilar Party and Hale Dil from Murder 2 proved to be super hits. But the songs of Gandhi To Hitler, Khap and Bubble Gum did not impress anyone.

Aacha Lagta Hai from Aarakshan was a hit number and good to hear. The title song of Chatur Singh Two Stars also gained some popularity. But other films released in August like, Chala Mussaddi Office Office, I Am Kalam, Phhir, Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande, Not A Love Story, Stand By, Yeh Dooriyan and Chitkabrey had no hit numbers.

The month of September also saw two major releases Bodyguard and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, which had all good numbers in its album. Some songs of Mausam like Sajh Dhaj Ke, Shara Di Kaum from Speedy Singh and Khwabon Khwabon from Force were also good. Other films like Bol, U R My Jaan, Hum Tum Shabana, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangstar, Tere Mere Phere and Chargsheet did not give us any good songs.

One big number out of films released in October was Ra.One. Some other songs like Ghodi Chad Le from Rascals also became quite popular. Other films like Azaan, Soundtrack, Love Break Ups Zindagi, Mujhse Friendship Karoge, My Friend Pinto, Jo Dooba So Paar, Mod, Tell Me O Khuda, Be Careful and Damadamm did not produce any great number.

The biggest release of the year as far as music is concerned came right after that. November saw the release of Rockstar, which had the music of legendary A R Rehman. The only Bollywood release of the year from the music composer gave his fans hit numbers like Katiya Karu and Sada Haq. The item number from Loot, Jawani Ki Bank showed a lot of promise but its life was very short. The Title song and Jhak Maar Ke from Desi Boyz were also good numbers. But songs from some other films, which were released in November like, Miley Na Miley Hum, Tension Door, Na Jaane Kab Se and Shakal Pe Mat Ja did not have any good song.

By the time the year came to an end, Oo La La from The Dirty Picture became a massive hit. Aadat Se Majboor and Jazba from Ladies V/s Ricky Bahl and the title song of Don 2 were also big hits of the season. On the other hand, films like I Am Singh, Lanka, Yeh Stupid Pyar, Jo Hum Chahein, Pappu Can’t Dance Saala and Kya Yahi Sach Hai did not give us any hit number.

Apart from the film music, Kolaveri Di, the song from Tamil film also became a big hit.

Hrithik Roshan with Diandra

Hrithik Roshan has recently met a fan. What’s new in that? Stars keep on meeting fans, signing autographs and getting photographed. But this Hrithik Roshan fan is a little girl called Diandra Rozario who is suffering from cancer. Her cancer is in advanced state. It was her wish to meet Hrithik Roshan in person. Hrithik Roshan did fulfill her wish and brought a smile on her face.

Diandra’s father Anthony says, “We’re thankful to Hrithik. Diandra sat in his lap while he signed an autograph for her and presented her with chocolates.”

Most of the time we think that stars often indulge in partying, promotional works, endorsements and affairs. Stars do other things also but we don’t give prominence to such non gossipy materials. See what a miracle of sorts happened when Hrithik Roshan met Diandra. A member of the Rozario family says, “Diandra had stopped walking since the last four days, but when she saw Hrithik, she was so excited she walked a few steps. Hrithik gave her his mobile number and has invited her to his home. Diandra’s happiness had to be seen to be believed.”
Wish many stars bring such a shine in others lives too and we print those materials prominently too.

Image source: http://movies.iexplorehere.com/news/2651/Hrithik-makes-a-young-cancer-patient-smile.html

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna with Kylie Minogue

It seems Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna may be arrested by Mumbai police and pay the price for being a celebrity couple. Akshay was walking the ramp in Lakme India Fashion Week on 31 March 2009 for Levis jeans. Akshay kUmar is also the brand ambassador of this brand Levis. He was modeling for their unbutton range of jeans. He walked to his wife Twinkle who was present in the audience and asked her to unbutton his jeans. A couple of times she refused but later on unbuttoned the jeans. This didn’t go well with certain people and they registered a case against Akshay, Twinkle, designer Tarun Tahiliani and the organizers of the show. Now police claims Akshay Kumar and Twinkle can be arrested for act of obscenity in a public place. This is a bailable offense.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Arvind Mahabdi said, “We’ll make the arrests soon and then take their statements.” Police has not sent the summons to the couple. Akshay kumar’s spokesperson said, “We’ll respond when the police approach us.” If Akshay and Twinkle were found guilty they might spend three months in jail. Akshay Kumar has already apologized for hurting the sentiments of people.

Image Source: zimbio.com

AR Rehman with Slumdog Millionaire crew

Image source Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Directors: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan (codirector in India)
Music: A.R. Rehman
Lyrics: Gulzar

The Oscar night this year was all about Slumdog Millionaire, the story of a Mumbai lad who grows up in the slums surviving amidst crime and poverty and eventually winning millions to win his love back from the clutches of the mafia. The film beat the hot favorites like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Milk and The Reader.

This British film with an Indian slums backdrop won 8 Academy awards for:

• Best picture
• Best director
• Best musical score
• Best song
• Best adapted screenplay
• Best film editing
• Best sound mixing
• Best cinematography

This was definitely a dream run for the entire team of Slumdog Millionaire that gathered on the stage upon receiving the best picture award.

For India of course the main attraction was A.R. Rehman who won an Oscar for the best musical score and the best song that he shared with the exceptionally talented lyricist Gulzar. Both A. R. Rehman and Gulzar are no strangers to fame and awards but the Oscar catapults them to the international stage where their talent is exposed in front of an international audience. If you go by the coverage of the Indian news channels the entire country is in a frenzy, it is almost like winning the Cricket World Cup.

Slumdog Millionaire has been at the receiving end of various criticisms too, for depicting the ugly underbelly of the country. A right-wing Hindu columnist even went so far as terming it as a anti-Hindu movie. Some Muslims protested that almost all Muslims in the film have been portrayed as gangsters. But all these protestations are being very conveniently laid to rest while the film earns kudos for almost every aspect of movie-making.

The film script was adapted from the Boeke Prize-winning and Commonwealth Writers’ Prize-nominated novel ‘Q & A’ written by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup. The playback singer (for “Jai ho!”) for Slumdog Millionaire is Sukhvinder Singh

Slumdog Millionaire cast:

Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Rajendranath Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan, Mahesh Manjrekar and various kids

A. R. Rahman

While the Bollywood fans across India are jubilant over the kind of success music composer A R Rahman has achieved by winning the prestigious Golden Globe award and getting nominated for the Oscars along with Gulzar for their work in Slumdog Millionaire, there are some people within the entertainment industry itself who are not exactly amused by their global success. These include the legendary ghazal singer Jagjit Singh. Indicating that he did not feel that Rahman was as great a composer as he is made out to be, Jagjit Singh challenged him by saying, “If he really has it in him, he should try composing ghazals.” Jagjit Singh further went to the extent of saying, “I do not consider Rahman’s work as original music but rather a copy of western tunes.”

Its not only Jagjit Singh but along with him there are a few others who do not feel that what Rahman has achieved is all that great. Playback singer Sonu Nigam while in a way echoing Jagjit Singh views said, “Though Rehman is very talented, I agree with Jagjit Singh that the kind of music Rahman usually composes, which is popularly known as film music, is not the real music.” There are others like playback singer Alka Yagnik, who feels “Being situational Bollywood limits a composer’s creative side and he has to limit his work as per the need of the script.”

True, Rahman’s music rather than being original and pure music may be something called techno fusion but the fact remains that in this materialist world where whatever sells is good music, finding a costumer for A R Rahman’s music is much easier than finding it for Jagjit Singh’s music.

So Mr. Jagjit Singh, you need to accept that times are changing and you need to change accordingly. And, in today’s time, rather than the classy music, it is the techno, fusion and hip-hop music that is great, simply because it sells.

Image Source: Rahmaniac

A R Rahman

Definitely, though it has been a good year for Bollywood lovers otherwise also with many movies doing great business, it has also been great year for Bollywood music lovers with the king of Hindi film music world A R Rehman coming out with as many as 5 albums for his fans.

The maestro started the year with songs like Azeem O Shaan Shehenshah and Jashn Baharaa from the melodious Jodha Akbarr which did doing very well on the charts. If that wasn’t enough, then came the sensational music of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, which by all means was the most exceptional music created by this legendary composer in recent times. Unlike the usual compositions of A R Rehman, which do take a certain amount of time to get popular and noticed, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na had chart bursting numbers like Nazrein Mila Na Nazrein ChuraNa and Pappu can’t Dance, which became an instant hit equally with the masses and the classes.

Of course, when Rehman would look back at 2008, he will also think of the complex feelings that the year gave him. Just at the time when Rehman was being praised all over with the music of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na doing so well, he had to suffer the failure of his album Ada. Though the expectations from A R Rehman are always sky high, after the sensational success of the music of Bombay Dreams, people await his non-film albums with the same amount of eagerness as they do for the film soundtracks.

But, as it has always been the case with his career, Rehman has bounced back with the music of Yuvraaj. Though the film might not be doing that well, but the music of the film seems to be catching up slowly and steadily. And, with the music of Ghajini catching up, there seems to be more in store for Rehman fans this year.

Image Source: A R Rahman’s blog

Neil Nitish Mukesh, the son of Nitin Mukesh and the grandson of the illustrious Mukesh is going to sing his first song for the film Freeze. Neil is supposed to sing the title track of the movie which is composed by Pritam Chakraborty. Neil has an earlier experience of singing on stage as a kid. He is a Kishore Kumar fan through and through and he has never sung his grandfather’s songs. Well, that’s sad because loving Kishore Kumar (who doesn’t?) doesn’t mean you have to ignore other singers. In fact there are great meany soulful songs that only the senior Mukesh could sing. Neil Nitin Mukesh can also play piano. I wonder what happened to that film he was appearing in.

Who can forget gems like Mere mehboob kayamat hogi, Aaj mausam, bada baiman hai, and Chaahunga mai tujhe, shaam savere? The pair of Laxmikan-Pyarelal has given us more memorable songs that you can count. Here’s a nice article on Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

In the age of remixes (and rarely something original) for established artists it’s better to create their own remixes before someone else devastates their creations. Asha Bhonsle did it, and now A. R. Rehman is doing it too. For the new movie Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na A. R. Rehman, on the request of producer Aamir Khan, agreed to create a remix of his already created tune. Aamir said since the movie is about youth, it’s music should cater to the youth. OK, does he want to say the youth prefer only the remixed versions of great songs and not the originally created songs?