Ishkq in Paris

The first track in the album is It’s All About Tonight. It is largely performed by the brilliant Sunidhi Chauhan, but also has the voice presences of Rahul Vaidya and Sophie Choudry. Containing a blend of Hindi, English and some alluring French lyrics, this is actually quite a decent club track. I can imagine people dancing to this song at a party or perhaps even secretly in their bedrooms. It is a drum and bass song, but also has a strong techno feel to it which makes it all the more enjoyable. Sajid and Wajid have definitely taken a brave risk here in producing a very Western oriented composition. As usual, Chauhan delivers in this song and gives a great vocal performance. Vaidya and Choudry sing very well in their parts, though I felt Vaidya could have had a greater voice presence in the song. Nevertheless, I am sure this one will appeal to the youths of today so give this one a listen if you feel like trying something different.

Next up is Saiyaan which is sung by the very talented Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. I found this to be a difficult song to make a judgement on. I love the strong classical Indian music incorporated into parts of it, which includes the tabla and the harmonium. Unsurprisingly, Rahat also performs very well and maintains professionalism throughout. However, the emotion he expresses is not as poignant compared to the song with the same title which he recently sang for Salim-Sulaiman’s Heroine (2012). In addition, I felt the song dragged on a bit and not surprisingly since it is the longest running track in the album at 5 minutes and 43 seconds. If it was condensed a little, then I think this one would certainly have a greater impact. Yet it is not a bad song and perhaps it may catch on once the film has released and we see what particular scene or situation it is employed in. In general though, it is a very average but listenable song.

We then move on to Jaane Bhi De. There are two versions of this song, though the lyrics remain unchanged. The first version is a duet by Sunidhi Chauhan and the great Sonu Niigaam. The second version is a solo sung by one half of the film’s composers Wajid Ali. The duet version is very melodious and has a nice romantic feeling to it. You can hear instruments like the piano and the guitar which complements well with the mood of the song. It also contains pleasant and meaningful lyrics which add to its appeal and quality. Chauhan and Niigaam perform very well and the tone of their voices fits perfectly with this particular composition. The solo version by Wajid is also great and he injects the precise emotion and tone into the song needed to ensure it is equally favoured alongside the duet version. The songs are superb on their own, but I think they will have an even bigger effect when we see the picturizations to them in the film. Overall, it is very nicely produced by Sajid and Wajid, as well as by Kausar Munir who has penned warm lyrics for this particular song!

The soundtrack also has Teri Choodiyan Da Crazy Crazy Sound, performed by Wajid Ali. The song is Punjabi oriented and you can hear instruments like the dhol drums and various other Punjabi flavours. Although the musical composition is quite decent, I found that the major weakness of this song is the fact that Wajid chose to mechanize his voice. This gives the song a very unusual feeling to it and it actually weakens its quality. I think it would have sounded much better if Wajid’s voice remained natural, just as it was in his solo rendition of ‘Jaane Bhi De.’ For that reason, the song can be deemed average but not skip worthy, as the music alone has a unique appeal about it.

Finally we have the dance number Kudiye Di Kurti, performed by Sonu Niigaam and the lovely Shreya Ghoshal. Already sparking interest due to Salman Khan headlining this song as part of a cameo appearance in the film, it has a likeable and rhythmic tune to it which will remain in your head. It is a fast up-tempo track with a very strong Punjabi flavour to it and contains the use of various instruments, including the dhol drums and the harmonium. The Punjabi theme to the song is definitely visible when you see the shortened music video to it as part of the film’s promos. Ghoshal provides a good effort in her one track appearance in the album. However, it is really the energy and passion which Niigaam exudes using his talented voice which adds zing to the song. This will surely contribute to its popularity. Despite ‘Kudiye Di Kurti’ being a well composed song, it is not one of the best songs picturized on Salman Khan. Nevertheless, this should not deter you from listening to it, which is arguably one of the best tracks in the album!

Before bringing this review to a close, I must say that the soundtrack to Ishkq in Paris is a good and worthwhile one to have in your music collection. The best tracks are definitely ‘It’s All About Tonight,’ ‘Jaane Bhi De’ (both duet and solo versions) and ‘Kudiye Di Kurti.’ Sajid and Wajid have delivered an album which contains songs that have been thoughtfully composed and which complements the apparent themes of the film. However, this can be said with greater confidence only when we see the film when it releases on 2 November 2012. Thankfully, the album does not have any remixes and they are not needed as the songs are fine unmixed. Although this is not the greatest album Sajid and Wajid have whipped up for us (this title definitely goes to Dabangg), Ishkq is Paris is a commendable attempt made by the dynamic duo. They have given us some tracks which contain specific styles and forms of music that make it a very dignified album. Let’s hope the film is just as good and entertaining! To conclude with an overall rating, we here at Bollyspice.com award the soundtrack to Ishkq in Paris with a worthy 3 stars!

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Vidya also stated that the fact there are a number of Indian films being screened during this festival illustrates how there are “no longer any barriers when it comes to good cinema.” “Language is never a barrier, nationality is never a barrier, and your style of filmmaking is never a barrier. We are back home celebrating ‘Indianness’ in its full glory unapologetically, which is why people are looking at us and saying ‘wow’.”

“There is no formula anymore which is very refreshing, which is why I think more and more and more people in the world are going to start enjoying Indian cinema, said the 35 year old actress.”

Vidya also described Amitabh Bachchan’s opening of the Cannes Film Festival alongside actor Leonardo DiCaprio as a “proud moment.”

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Earlier this month, actor Saif Ali Khan also criticised the term ‘Bollywood’ as he felt that it provokes many to wrongly compare the industry to Hollywood.

Mr Bachchan opened the Cannes Film Festival last week alongside Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio. He said that it was his ‘biggest honour’ to date as an Indian.

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Speaking about the concert tour, Jay’s Entertainment Director and Philanthropist Jayesh Kotak stated the following in an official press release. “This group of individuals, team up to make a stunning orchestra who guide us through Bollywood history with their renditions of timeless classics. The most amazing aspect of them is that they are all blind – right from the lead singers to the piano player – and this is what sets this event apart. This is also a charity event, a wonderful reason to support the blind community and enjoy first class entertainment at the same time.”

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a Bollywood concert that truly is like no other! Take the time out of your busy schedules to see Black on tour in the UK this month. You will not be left disappointed!

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Ranbir also described how wonderful Madhuri was on the sets of the film, where she makes a rare appearance for the song. “She is sincere, passionate and talented. It was great working with her. She is wonderful.” Ranbir admitted that he bribed director Ayan Mukerji to permit him to kiss Madhuri on the cheek towards the end of the song.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani releases in cinemas worldwide on 31 May!

Check out the video for ‘Ghagra’ below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyLVqJ_UgTY

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Initially having received a lukewarm response from the critics, Mughal-E-Azam rapidly became one of the biggest hits in Indian box office history and has acquired a huge following amongst the masses. It is a beautifully woven film which depicts a type of love story which we rarely encounter. The various inimitable qualities of Mughal-E-Azam are perhaps why it is so widely revered amongst film enthusiasts, as well as by people within the Indian film industry. It contains a finely written screenplay, riveting Urdu dialogues, lavish sets and costumes, as well as some wonderfully composed music. It also contains one of Hindi Cinema’s first ever erotic scenes, where Saleem strokes Anarkali’s face with a feather and she quivers in an erotic manner. Whether you are a man or a woman, the tragic love story between Saleem and Anarkali is one which will have a touching effect on you. You will deeply appreciate the historical context in which the film is set, as it has brilliantly showcased elements of Mughal history on screen. This is despite the fact that there are still debates amongst historians regarding the ultimate fate of Anarkali. You will see the version which most historians agree with towards the end of the film. The film has a gripping climax which will be etched onto your mind and permit you to show sympathy for the two protagonists.

According to film scholar Nasreen Munni Kabir, K. Asif began working on Mughal-E-Azam in 1944 which was to have a different star cast attached to it. Originally, Chandramohan was to play Emperor Akbar, Nargis as Anarkali and Sapru as Saleem. However, the communal violence which transpired in India during 1946 (a year before the country’s partition) resulted in K. Asif putting a halt to filming. The first producer of the film, Shiraz Ali Hakim, also left India for Pakistan which meant that K. Asif was unable to find a producer who could finance this big-budget film. However in 1951 Shapoorji Pallonju, the owner of Sterling Investment Corporation Pvt. Ltd, teamed up with K.Asif to provide the financial support he needed to give Mughal-E-Azam the precise depth, shape and appearance it needed. It also saw the original cast members being replaced with new ones. Hence, Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor and Madhubala were taken on to play the three iconic characters. Durga Khote played the lovable Queen Jodhaa, a role which she was initially assigned to way back in 1944.

To give Mughal-E-Azam the opulent style it needed for it to look authentic, the costumes were hand-stitched by tailors from Delhi; the detailed jewellery was made by goldsmiths from Hyderabad and the heavy armoury used during the battle scenes in the film were made by Rajasthani ironsmiths. In addition, the Indian army contributed towards the look of the battle scenes by providing two thousand camels, four thousand horses, hundreds of elephants and eight thousand soldiers. One hundred and fifty carpenters, decorators and painters were taken on to recreate the Mughal courts. This includes the famous Sheesh Mahal (Glass Palace) that was used for the iconic song ‘Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya;’ which is picturized on Madhubala.

The soundtrack for Mughal-E-Azam was composed by the music maestro Naushad Ali, with lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni. It contains some truly inspiring classical Indian music which will win your heart in an instance. They include songs such as ‘Mohe Panghat Pe,’ ‘Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya,’ ‘Humen Kash Tumse Mohabbat Na Hote,’ ‘Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat,’ as well as ‘Ae Mohabbat Zindabad’ and ‘Yeh Dil Ki Lagi.’ Lata Mangeshkar, who is regarded as one of India’s greatest ever playback singer, dominates most of this album with her melodious voice. Her vocals add exquisiteness to Mughal-E-Azam and hence; this is arguably one of the best film soundtracks Lataji has ever sung for.

Madhubala is known for having been diagnosed with a heart ailment, but did not disclose this to the makers of Mughal-E-Azam. Yet she took on incredibly difficult tasks for the film; which included posing as a statue, wearing heavy costumes and carrying heavy chains in order to authenticate her character. For anyone who is uncertain about Madhubala’s abilities as an actress, then you must watch Mughal-E-Azam as this is the film which is one of the most pinnacle moments of her career. She delivers a very poignant and stirring performance which should have won her the awards she thoroughly deserved. In addition, both Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor provide very powerful performances, which gives Mughal-E-Azam that realistic touch. Dilip Kumar is magnificent as the young Saleem and provides you with conviction throughout the film that he is genuinely in love with Anarkali. Prithviraj Kapoor’s portrayal as Emperor Akbar makes you disapprove of his mission to tear Saleem and Anarkali apart from each other. However, this legend manages to successfully demonstrate what it takes to be a great actor, as he exudes a range of sentiments which you will appreciate. Thus, Mughal-E-Azam is not just a film that is filled with opulent costumes and sets, but also some truly spellbinding performances from all three of the leading actors.

Mughal-E-Azam managed to secure awards at the Filmfare ceremony, which included Best Film, Best Cinematography and Best Dialogue. Madhubala unfortunately did not receive her just deserves at the Filmfare Awards and lost the Best Actress Award to Bina Rai for the film Ghunghat (1960).

Mughal-E-Azam was originally released in black and white, with only some colour portions included in the reels. However in 2004, Sterling Investment Corporation Ltd decided to re-release the film in colour and hired special technicians in order to fill this historical epic with the colour that it truly deserved. The colourised version of Mughal-E-Azam was released on November 2004 and became a hit at the box office all over again. Although it was filmed in black and white, this colour version is breath-taking to watch and is also very popular with the young generation. The soundtrack was re-mastered for this occasion by Naushad Ali, who appropriately kept the original voice recordings intact and only re-recorded the compositions. There are only a handful of black and white Hindi films which have been transformed into colour. Though there are debates amongst film enthusiasts and historians as to whether or not certain classics should be colourised, Mughal-E-Azam is a film which required colour. By doing so, this has certainly enhanced the overall look of the film and beautified it even more.

Mughal-E-Azam is a film which should be treasured for hundreds of years to come. Considered at the time to be one of the most expensive films ever made in Indian Cinema, it typifies extravagance to the core. Yet if you unveil the layers which are embedded in this film, you will find that it is more about love. It is about the fact that no one has the right to destroy love between two people, regardless of how powerful they may be. It is the humankind of two people which unties them together and not their social background. Thus, it would be unfortunate if a film like Mughal-E-Azam is ignored by future generations. By doing so, they would be missing out on seeing one of the most fascinating love stories ever told.

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Luhrmann visited Bachchan in Mumbai two years ago to offer him a role in his $125 million project. The film also stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Cary Mulligan and Tobey Maguire in pivotal roles. Bachchan recalled his first ever meeting with the renowned Hollywood filmmaker. “Baz remembers his meeting with us and a meal at his place here in NYC … I wondered if he
had forgotten … people in his position and standing would perhaps do … and legitimate too, without offence… they are big and large and of much greater importance … they are tall and I am not at all…!!”

The Great Gatsby releases in cinemas worldwide on Friday and will officially open the Cannes Film Festival on 15 May!

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In addition, Shah Rukh shared his thoughts on the films which have had the most impact on him. “Padosan (1968) and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983). I loved these two movies. I thought they were hilarious. Padosan had a certain innocence about it. I showed my kids Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro recently. We settled down with popcorn and I told them how funny the movie was. And I hoped they’d like it. Sadly, they didn’t find it funny at all. As a kid, I thought it was the funniest film ever. But times have changed. They couldn’t understand the relevance of the film.”

Also when asked who his favourite actresses are, Shah Rukh stated the following. “My all-time favourite actress is Mumtaz. I found her saucy and extremely beautiful. I liked Saira Banu too. She looked so innocent on screen. She looked so beautiful in ‘Bhai Batur’ (Padosan) and in the ‘Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main’ (Junglee, 1961) song. Also, that towel song, ‘Thoda Sa Thehro,’ in Victoria No 203 (1972). She was amazing.”

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This is the first film to be released by Yash Raj Films without the presence of its founder Mr Yash Chopra. The celebrated Bollywood filmmaker sadly died in October 2012 following his last directorial Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012). The music to Aurangzeb has been composed by Amartya Rahut, who has given albums like Mumbai Cutting (2011) and Vipin Mishra, who has given albums like Aloo Chaat (2009). They lyrics have been penned by three people, who include Puneet Sharma, Vipin Mishra and Manoj Kumar Nath. So let’s take a look and see what the soundtrack to Aurangzeb has to offer.

The first track is Barbaadiyaan, which is sung by Ram Sampath and Sasheh Aagha. The song has a strong techno feel to it which is completely disconnected from the sounds of India. You can tell that Amartya Rahut is trying to deliver something unconventional but sadly it does not work to a great extent. The vocals were average in general and do not have much of an impact on you. It was really a one-time listen and is not a type of composition which I could listen to over and over again.

Next up we have Jigra Fakira, which is performed by Keerthi Sagathia. I love the way in which Vipin Mishra has tackled this song and he manages to give a unique style and texture to it. It has brilliant Sufi elements to it and the vocals are splendid to hear. Overall, this song is a winner and I strongly recommend that you check it out since it is one of the best tracks in the album.

Following this, we have Barbaadi which is sung by K. Mohan (Agnee). You can hear a range of western instruments being used in this song such as the piano and the electric guitar which gives it both a melancholic and rock feel to it. The vocals from K. Mohan were very strong and he manages to sing with the correct dose of passion. Although it’s not your typical Bollywood song, I would advise that you give it a try since the composition works overall and has potential to grip the ears of many!

The title track Aurangzeb is next and has been performed by Marianne D’Cruz Aima. This one was really average and is slightly depressing to listen to. The music is lacklustre and does not have that oomph needed to catch your attention. However, the same cannot be said for the Rock Version of ‘Aurangzeb’ which is sung by Vipin Mishra. This version is youthful and full of energy and the vocals complement extremely well with the music. I very much prefer this version and is definitely another highlight of this album.

The album has quite a number of instrumentals which have all been composed by Vipin Mishra. It is highly likely that they have been composed as background music to the film for the use of specific scenes and situations. They include Trail of Fire (Main Theme), Battleground Gurgaon, The Father’s Truth and Aurangzeb (Orchestral). Having listened to all four of these instrumentals, I can say that they will not appeal to anyone as of yet. Once the film has released, perhaps they will have some takers who may appreciate its use in the film. This certainly happened with me with regards to ‘Ishq Dance’ from Jab Tak Hai Jaan . During the pre-release promotions, this instrumental did not appeal to me whatsoever. However, after I had seen the film, I grew to love ‘Ishq Dance’ and now appreciate it in the same way as I do with all the other songs from this particular film. Hence, wait until post-release and perhaps the instrumentals from Aurangzeb may appeal to you.

To sum up, Aurangzeb does deserve praise for being a totally unconventional Bollywood soundtrack. There are some good moments in this album that make it worth the listen. However, I will be honest and say that it certainly could have been a lot better, had more consideration been taken into sounds and arrangement. Having said this, don’t be put off from giving Aurangzeb a listen. It may just win you over!

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Mr and Mrs 55 is a highly enjoyable film with lots of exciting moments to look forward to. One of the most admirable qualities about Mr and Mrs 55 is its simplicity in terms of screenplay, as well as its interpretation of romance. This film is no Pyaasa (1957), which contains a more acute narrative that only perhaps the classes will be able to follow, in contrast to the masses. Mr and Mrs 55 is a film for everyone regardless of your social background. Despite being filmed in black and white, it takes you into a colourful fantasy of love between two people. Although some concepts are little outdated, this is truly one of those few gems that you will relish. There are also some memorable dialogues in this film. This includes the moment where Sita Devi asks Preetam “tum communist ho” (are you a communist) with Preetam replying “ji nahin cartoonist” (no, I am a cartoonist).

The screenplay to Mr and Mrs 55 was written by Abrar Alvi, who went onto become a core member of Guru Dutt’s production house. Alvi had written this story whilst he was at university under the title ‘Modern Marriage.’ Guru Dutt loved it so much that he decided to make a film out of it, but added a whole new twist to it. Initially, Sunil Dutt was roped into play the role of Preetam opposite Madhubala, who was the first choice to play the adorable Anita. However, just before shooting had begun; Guru Dutt decided to play the male lead himself in addition to directing it. The film also stars Johnny Walker, who is not only of the greatest comedians to have emerged from Indian Cinema, but was also one of Guru Dutt’s closest friends.

The music to Mr and Mrs 55 was composed by O.P. Nayyar, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. There are some classic tunes in this soundtrack, which includes ‘Thandi Hawa Kaali Ghata,’ ‘Ae Ji Dil Par Hua Aisa Jadoo,’ ‘Udhar Tum Haseen Ho,’ as well as ‘Preetam Aan Milo.’ The music has a strong 50s feel to it and contains some very well- written lyrics. One of the great qualities about the songs that were made during the fifties is that the lyrics are meaningful and more connected to the storyline. These are traits which you rarely find in today’s Hindi film songs; despite the fact that there have been some great hits that have released over the past few years. The soundtrack to Mr and Mrs 55 is delicious, catchy and will certainly appeal to all, whether you form the old or young generation of filmi music lovers.

Mr and Mrs 55 was a sensational hit at the box office and went onto become one of the highest-grossing films of 1955. It also received rave reviews from the critics which includes the following from a top critic at Filmfare on May 1955. “A thoroughly delightful honey and cream social comedy, ‘Mr and Mrs 55’ is a model of film craft and has gripping interest for every class of cinegoer.” The success of this film helped to financially consolidate Guru Dutt’s production house. This now meant that he could make films with stories that were of a sombre nature and which he was more passionate about. Hence he went onto make Pyaasa (1957), which many film critics consider to be his magnum opus during his short career.

Mrs and Mrs 55 is a most certainly film that should be treasured for another one hundred years. Although it is to some extent a predictable film, you cannot help but fall in love with it. Both Guru Dutt and Madhubala give sensational performances and share great on-screen chemistry also. Lalita Pawar delivers perhaps one of the finest performances in a supporting role which Indian Cinema has offered over the past one hundred years. She projects hostility and individualism as Sita Devi and manages to do this with immense skill, which she deserves the highest credit for. A romantic comedy with is centred on how love blossoms between two people in unusual circumstances; you must watch Mr and Mrs 55 and experience the magic which this great classic has to offer!

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