Bodyguard Music Review

By Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama

EXPECTATIONS  

It's the wave factor. When the going is good, everything starts seeming great. And when the packaging is right, you expect the end product to be excellent. You want things to work. Period. And this is where the core strength of 'Bodyguard' lies. With Ready, Dabangg and Wantedbehind him, Salman is having everything going his way. So when he ropes in Himesh Reshammiya to compose music for the film and has Kareena Kapoor for company, you brace yourself to listen to a chartbuster soundtrack. Add to that Katrina Kaif's presence for an item number and you know that this album will certainly get a 'huge opening'!

MUSIC 

It is a Rajnikanth beginning for the album with the title song 'Bodyguard' composed, written and sung in the same way as the Superstar is introduced in his movies down South (save a Robot which didn't start on a characteristic note). Nevertheless, this Shabbir Ahmed written track has chartbuster written all over it with the kind of lyrics that amalgamate on and off screen image of Salman to perfection. So while he is referred to as 'bhaijaan' and a 'true Indian', even Salman makes a brief appearance with his trademark dialoguebaazi. 'Band of Power' gives further voice to the song which surprisingly doesn't have a female voice even though Katrina would be gyrating to the thumping beats that take this Himesh Reshammiya composition further. As is the case with every track in the album, this one too has a 'remix' to boast of. 

There is a twist in the tale soon after with guest composer Pritam bringing on a softer tune with 'I Love You'. Now this is the kind of a romantic melodious number that takes one back to mushy old days of Salman when he had quite a few such numbers to his credit in films like Kahi Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. However there is a nice Pritam touch to it as well as he adds his own bit to remind audience of the kind of sound that they expect from an Emraan Hashmi track. Hear the middle of the 'antara' portions and you would find the reference points. It is also good to see Pritam experiment with relatively new singers like Ash King and Clinton Cerejo who do quite well to make this Neelesh Misra grow after a couple of hearing. The song is further repeated in a 'remix version' with the same pair of singers though for the unplugged version it is Shaan who takes the centre-stage. 

The way 'Desi Beat' begins, it all sounds like a quintessential Punjabi dance number to begin with. In fact for the first couple of listening, this Himesh Reshammiya track seems like a regular number that doesn't quite break any new grounds in its structuring, lyrics or singing. However once you have heard it again in the 'remix' as well as 'Punjabi hip hop mix' versions, it starts coming on it's own as one settles down to the mood and rhythm of the song. Expectedly both Mika Singh and Amrita Kak are pretty energetic behind the mike for this song that also has a brief trumpet portion that gives homage to 'Tum Kya Jano, Mohabbat Kya Hai' from Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. This is one of those songs that are elevated further due to star power and with Salman at the helm of affairs, one can be rest assured that he would make it further special. 

The best is reserved for the end though with 'Teri Meri' being not just the best of the enterprise but also one of the top songs to have been released this year. This is the kind of song that one terms as 'lambi race ka ghoda' as it it has in it to be heard for months at stretch. A love song with a tinge of sadness to it, Shabbir Ahmed written 'Teri Meri' is sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Ghoshal with their heart as they bring in the kind of pain that the protagonists must be feeling on screen. In fact with this number Himesh Reshammiya makes one all the more miss him as a composer as a few more songs like this would definitely made Bollywood musical scene much better than what it is today. The very fact that the song appears again in a 'reprise', 'remix' and a 'Theme-Instrumental' version is all the more reason to feel truly satiated. 

OVERALL 

The music of Bodyguard has in it to be hugely popular amongst audience as it has everything for everything. For the lovers of conventional music there is 'Desi Beats' while for Salman's fans there is the title track 'Bodyguard'. And then for those who are hunting for melody which boasts of a much longer shelf life, there is 'Teri Meri' and 'I Love You' (by Pritam) which are all set to rule the charts in days to come. For all these years if composer Himesh Reshammiya was indeed waiting for the right album to make a comeback then well, this is it! 

OUR PICK(S) 

Bodyguard, I Love You, Desi Beat , Teri Meri   

Bodyguard Movie trailer

Salman Khan: Larger-than-life hero

Salman Khan is no longer an elusive man. The magic of movies (read film promotions) has enchanted him as well. Dapper in a light blue T-shirt and black pants, Salman settles down to being friendly…

Ready is the remake of a south Indian movie. So are some of your other movies. Is this a deliberate move?

Apparently the punches and dialogues are in those films. I don’t know if this is a coincidence. Earlier they used to copy our films because we made films on heroism. Most of my father’s scripts have been broken down and copied in the south. Now Dabangg is being remade there. When you do Hollywood remakes, the whole world is watching. But these films have not been seen except by people from that region. Also, they have not let heroism go. Suddenly we have gone into these phases of making love stories, rom-coms, niche films, gay films…

Today everyone is doing different and niche films…

I don’t think anybody is doing that anymore. I think from Amsterdam they want to go down to Andheri. And I don’t want to do neech (niche) films (smiles).

With the success of Ready, it looks like you have finally hit upon a success formula…

No, it’s not like that. I am sure I would go wrong in that formula as well. Because once you start doing something, you tend to get carried away. You start taking that image to be you and think you can do anything, so then it gets farfetched and you become a caricature of yourself.

You have some larger-than-life roles, like in Ready. Don’t you fear being typecast?

What’s wrong with that?! You are enjoying it!

Last year you were nominated for so many awards and won some as well. Do you think people have woken up to your talent at last?

I don’t want any awards. I don’t go to awards functions. In fact, I tell my producers also to not put me as a nominee in the Best Actor category. When that one nominee section is vacant, it can go to somebody else.

But every actor – big or small – craves for that the kind of recognition…

I get it when the theatres are full. I get it when I hear the claps in the theatres. When the film goes from the single theatres to multiplexes – that’s also an award for me. I’d rather believe in these rewards than those awards.

When films were failing at the BO you hit the jackpot. What did you do right, d’you think?

There were also times when everyone’s films were working and my films were bombing, left, right and centre. But I didn’t panic at that point of time, because I knew those films were going to bomb. I had to do them because I liked the script, but I could not put my foot down. Today I have realised one thing: the guy who pays 10 rupees and someone who pays 500 rupees to see the movie – I have a responsibility towards them.

One hears that you have been deeply involved in the making of your films, from the script to songs to the editing…

I always did that. But when you get kicked in the ass, na, you’ll always go two steps forward.

Does that mean like Aamir, you too would like to get into direction?

No. But I will work under Aamir’s direction, when I have lots of time, hanh!

Aamir Khan told the media that he wishes you would get married. And he said it would be possible by tying your hands and legs….

Tell Aamir that I will tie up his hands and legs and see to it that he does not get married again!

On that, the superstar remains elusive…

Chillar Party Movie Review

Source - Bollywood Hungama


I'd said this before and I'd like to repeat it here: If you don't have a star in your film, the story of your film better be the star attraction, the champ. CHILLAR PARTY may be backed by star names, but it doesn't have a 'star' to call the shots. Thankfully, the story of CHILLAR PARTY does the talking!

Children's films are rarely attempted in Bollywood, though film-makers often talk of luring not just adults but also kids when they plan a film project. Post KACCHA LIMBOO and STANLEY KA DABBA, CHILLAR PARTY attempts to focus entirely on kids. Eight kids stand up to a mighty politician, their mission is to save a dog that belongs to an urchin who's part of their group. The film actually advocates a message in the garb of entertainment: Children can bridge the class difference that's prevalent in the society. Honest intentions, indeed! 



I've often felt that children are more impulsive, more courageous and have a completely non-manipulative approach towards life, unlike adults, and it is this quality that makes them take on the odds head-on. CHILLAR PARTY depicts the courage with which they stand up against their parents and also a powerful politician to fight for a just cause. The cause is most noble and if you're a dog lover [like me], you'd simply want to be one with the kids in this agitation and fight the unscrupulous politician tooth and nail. And that's precisely why CHILLAR PARTY works. It evokes the right feelings. It knocks on your conscience. 


CHILLAR PARTY is not just meant for kids, but also grownups. Besides, as a film, it changes the perception that kiddie films in India tackle childish issues. This one, in fact, tackles a sensitive issue that plagues our society. Also, as a story, the film has its moments that make you emotional and euphoric, when the kids win the combat.

CHILLAR PARTY tells the story of a gang of innocent but feisty kids who lead a carefree and fun-filled life in Chandan Nagar Colony. Soon, Fatka and his pet Bheedu come into their lives and they become an inseparable part of the Chillar Party. The lives of these kids get difficult when Bheedu's life is endangered, thanks to a mean politician. How they take on the mighty opponent in their own way forms the crux of the story.

Unlike KACCHA LIMBOO and STANLEY KA DABBA, CHILLAR PARTY doesn't get into the serious zone, although it does tackle a serious issue. That's because directors Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl balance the dramatic portions with light moments admirably. At the same time, the film retains the innocence that one expects from films that have kids enacting principal and pivotal characters. Right from the time when the kids and the urchin have issues with each other to taking up cudgels against the wrong-doers, a number of sequences involving the kids have that certain spark that cannot be described in mere words.

The sole flaw is the placement of Ranbir Kapoor's song in the film. It's wrongly placed after the end credits. What a waste, since the viewers would've only made an exit by then.

Directors Nitesh Tiwari and Vikas Bahl have handled several moments with expertise. Drawing as good as real performances from the kids is an arduous task indeed and you need to hand it to the duo for not only choosing the right set of actors, but also making them look convincing in their parts. Also, I'd like to make a note of the dialogue spoken in the enterprise. It's exactly like the way we hear kids speaking in real life.

Every kid in the film pitches in a winning performance - Jhangiya [enacted by Naman], Shaolin [Divij], Enclyclopedia [Sanath], Silencer [Vedant], Aflatoon [Aarav], Panauti [Chinmay], Toothpaste [Sherya], Akram [Rohan], Second Hand [Visshesh] and Fatka [Irfan Khan]. It would be unfair and unjust to single out just one of them. As a matter of fact, you just can't help but fall in love with each of them. Ditto for the supporting actors, who enact the role of the parents and also the conniving politician.

On the whole, CHILLAR PARTY is not just for kids, but for grownups as well. A story of grit and determination, it works not just as an entertainer, but also advocates a message rather strongly. A film that deserves to be tax-exempted so that it reaches out to a wider audience. A small film with a gigantic spirit... Encourage this one! 

 


http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/14130/index.html

Chillar Party

Salman Khan turns producer. And he makes a kids' movie, no less. Well, whether or not, it's a movie for kids or not we don't know yet. But it's a movie with lots of kids in it. Kids who like mean machines. Kids who mean business. Kids who look like they have taken their Dabangg lessons from the master.

Is this Salman Khan's way of creating a new generation of Salmaniacs? Fortunately, the trailer tells me otherwise. My apprehensions are kept at bay because the promo itself says that there might be an actual story. Each of the kids has an identifying trait. That's saying a lot considering Salman Khan's character is the same across most of his films.

Cute, no? Not only the kids, the characteristics assigned to them too. The language used too. When I looked at the official website and the language used, I was skeptical. That it might just be kids using "adult" language. But the children seem to be carrying it off pretty well in the trailer. It seems like something I wouldn't mind if my children watched. It might even be a film that I want my children to watch.

The first disappointment, though, is already here. A movie that seems to have the potential to be entertaining and different and has the amazing Amit Trivedi for a music director has such ordinary music. Wonder what's the story there?

Music reviews:
milliblog - "Functional music by a composer from whom we’ve heard better."
music aloud - "7/10"
Bollywood Hungama - "2/5"
HappySing - "A perfect end to the worth-a-try album with its ups (Chatte-batte, followed by ek school) and downs (probably the second sound, more for being a repeat of the first)."