Slumdog Millionaire - my view

Here is what Arindam Choudhry writes about the so-called great masterpiece "Slumdog Millionaire"

http://arindamchaudhuri.blogspot.com/2009/01/dont-see-slumdog-millionaire-it-sucks.html

and my comments about the same :

Hello Arindam,
I truly agree with your view on Slumdog Millionaire. It portrays India and Indians in a really bad manner. Except for the background score of the movie nothing is great about the movie. The story is a direct lift from some of the 1970s Hindi masala movies. Only thing is they have blended the old story with the craze of Who wants to be a millionaire and cashed in on it.

No doubt slums and slumdwellers are there here in India. Their life is theirs and we know what they go through. Glorifying it in this manner and projecting that slum"dogs" (as they call them in the movie) can be millionaires in this fashion is a cheap act on their part. Some scenes in the movie are too disturbing and they project India and Indians in a really bad way. Espicially the instance wherein a US tourist couple's car is looted and the driver hits Jamaal. The US lady offering some XYZ dollars to Jamaal saying this is what US is! This was utter crappy projection of what outsiders think of us. Also one more instance is the scene wherein the people watch Jamaal answering the questions on TV. They sit on pavements outside the TV shops and watch and cheer. Strange that Mr Director doesnt know the penetration of TV in India.

Totally its a crappy movie and every Indian who feels for his country should oppose it for the way we and our people are projected in it.

I pity Anil Kapoor and Irfan Khan who have been projecting and promoting this movie to be a classic movie despite knowing what they are here.

Unqoute

These are only some instances which came to my mind while commenting on his blog. But there are many more points which came to my mind when I saw the movie which I will share soon.

More on this :

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/02/19/12563/index.html

Nanda - Audio

Nanda - Audio

Don’t know what V Manohar is upto. I feel this audio of Shivarjkumar’s Nanda is weak(one more instance was in Gandugali Kumararama) and too outdated. The music is not at all impressive. At times Manohar sounds like he is trying to ape Manomurthy in using tunes of hindi movies of 1960s and 70s.

Chingari chingari in the voice of Vijay Prakash fails to build up the tempo in the beginning itself. Wonder if this song would be picturized on Shivanna. This truly doesn’t suit his image.

Akasha Aagale rendered by Rajesh Krishnan and Nandita is a passable duet with lyrics by Jayant Kaikini. As told already, the music sounds too outdated. Nothing great about the lyrics.

Oh Idenaytu is a patho sung by Keshav Krishna and lyrics by Maheen kicks off well but fails to keep up the momentum later.

Yaava Kadegu is a good duet in the voice of Chinmayee and Akaanksha Baadami with lyrics by V Manohar. Akaanksha is good to hear but Chinmayee croons badly. He truly needs some improvement.

Ninna Kangalalli is one more duet in the voice of Udit Narayan and Akaanksha Baadami and has lyrics by Shivananjegowda. The music again resembles the music from the 70s hindi movies.

Pretty average album as a whole!!

Birugaali - Audio

Birugaali Audio

Kannada music is surely coming off age!! New breed of music directors are really promising and giving a refreshing feel to Kannada film music. Music director Arjun is back after Nam Areal Ond Dina in Birugaali, choreographer turned director Harsha's next venture with Chetan, Sitara Vaidya and Karishma in the lead.

7 foot tapping numbers with some great lyrics make this album a worth hearing one!!

The album kicks off with an out and out mass number "Machchi Sachchi" with lyrics by Shivnanjegowda is rendered beautifully by Shankar Mahadevan.

Shreya Ghoshal next builds up the tempo with her superb vocals in the truly poetic "Hoovina Baanadante". Lyrics by Jayant Kaikini are very impressive!

The next song "Helbid Helbide" sung by Arjun and lyrics by Kaviraj and Mahesh Kumar is an ultimate dance number which will surely hit the top of the charts! Arjun's accented Kannada and th e rock touch given makes this an enjoyable number.

"Amma Amma" is a soothing number sung by Arjun with lyrics by Ranganath.

Beware!! Mohit Chauhan joins in here to compete with other non-kannada singers and he rocks with Shamita Malnad in the romantic "Madhura Pisumaatige" written by the lover poet Jayant Kaikini. The lyrics, the music and rendition of the song by the singers make this a hummable song.

"Jojo Laali" in the voice of Chitra and lyrics by Ranganath is a good slow song.

Arjun gives a different touch to even the patho song "Idu Nanna Kathe" by using two voices - Vijay Prakash and Hamsapriya. The lyrics by Harshapriya are just ok!

The title bit "Birugaali" is ok to hear!

There are versions of "Amma Amma" by Srinivas and "Helbide Helbide" by Jassie Gift to add to the album's completeness.

The picturization of the songs in Greece and the storyline of the movie has surely invoked more interest in the movie in the people's mind and hope it will live up to the expectations.

All the best to Harsha!!

Kaaranjji | Audio

Took this up to write after long time!! No other audio in the recent days had pushed me so much to write about.

If we have to go by the music of this album, it surely has a great impact which is quite enough to make the movie rock!!

Kumbaaraki is the song which steals the show. With the unique touch of rock given to the Santa Shishunaala Sharif's composition, this surely will captivate the listeners. The music is truly engrossing but Sukhwinder's pronounciation could have been better when rendering this highlight number of the album. Despite this, the song just rocks in both its versions.

Ninna Hallige in Raghu Dixit's voice is a great number with nice folk touch. Raghavendra Kamath descirbes the village environment and a village girl's simplicity and beauty very well.

Ee Dina Hosadaagide in the voice of Karthik is very soothing with the lyrics by Sateesh Tiptur and the peppy music complementing the romantic morning mood.

T P Kailasam's Kolike Ranga in the voice of Veer Samarth is a treat to listen. Reminds us that TPK's wordings are not forgotten yet in the music world.

Yaaru Haadada in the voice of Hariharan is a slow song with nice guitar usage. The lyrics by Sridhar are very meaningful. I feel this might come out as a background song during some scenes. The only slow song in this album but the guitars and Hariharan fill life into the song.

H S Venkateshmurthy's composition Murida Manada which we had heard only as Bhaavageete is given a rock touch here. And believe me. It Rocks!!!! Vijay Prakash and Apoorva Sridhar render this song beautifully. Hats off to Veer Samarth for this different effort!!

Ee Tampu Gaali sung by Hariharan, Fayaz Khan, Bombay Jayashree and Kushala and lyrics by Raghavendra Kamath is a slow love song. The mix of slow music and Qawwali style of music is quite new to listen here in Kannada and again Veer Samarth carries this on very well.


Nammora Santheli is a nice parody number. Well sung buy Veer Samarth and Sridevi Malegatti.

Sutta Muttalu in the voice of Gurukiran is also good to hear. Rajan Nagendra's music is lively even today and its proven in this song.



Even the miniscule Alaapa, Naadadimpu and Themes leave a big impression about the music filled in the movie.

Totally, its really a treat to listen to this great album!! Grab it... Dont miss it!!

Waiting for the movie now after the audio......

Sadarame@Rangashankara Nov 9th, 2008

Sadarame

Sadarame is one of the most successful productions of Gubbi Veeranna. The story revolves around an innocent middle-class girl, Sadarame who marries Prince Jayaveera. And that’s when all the troubles began for Sadarame. Even as hardships challenge young Sadarame, she overcomes every hurdle with her characteristic intelligence and the play ends on a happy note. The highlight of this Gubbi Company play is actor director B. Jayashree playing the role of Kalla, the thief immortalized by her grandfather, the legendary Gubbi Veeranna.

Written by Bellave Narahari Shastry, the play Sadarame stands out as a window to the world for the problems a woman has to face in present day society. Topical during the days of Gubbi Veeranna, the story fits to even today’s world. Keeping the original act intact, many references to present day happenings and witty comparisions make this a treat to watch. The play and presentation enlightens everyone who has known the world of theatre and also the people who are new the world of theatre and who have seen only modern plays. It portrays the usage of Ranga Geetegalu and the soliloquy situations to a large extent bringing in front of us the mesmerizing world of the theatre of the old days and the techniques they used.

The major highlight of the play was Jayashree enacting the role of the thief. The character’s entry, the act, the song and the witty dialogues were hugely applauded by the packed audience with cries of once more. Next to impress was Dingri Nagaraj as Sadarame’s brother. Many other veterans in the play also performed well. But the youngsters really seemed to ponder a bit about combining the singing and acting portions. The music and the songs used lifted the mood of the play to the real heights.

For many who witnessed the play, it was like remembering and paying tribute the great playwright and the Nataka Company. Also the act coincided with the last day of the Rangashankara Theatre Fest for 2008 (November 9th 2008) which also happens to be Late Shankar Nag’s birthday. B Jayashree dedicated her revival of Sadarame to the great actor Shankarnag, her grandfather Gubbi Veeranna and the maestro Master Hirannaiyah who also has been performing his version of the same play.

Next time you hear about this play being staged somewhere, don’t miss it!! It’s a must watch for all the theatre enthusiasts and also for the people who want to know about the Nataka companies and their act.

Haage Summane - Audio

Haage Summane ... Pyaar Hogaya

Zee Motion Pictures | Dharma Pictures Productions
Producers : T C Murali Mohan, Pramod N, Santosh
Direction : Preetam Gubbi
Music : Mano Murthy
Lyrics : Jayant Kaikini

Dont be surprised if you feel you are listening to some 1970s OP Nayyar songs! [Trademark of Mano Murthy??]

Sonu as usual renders the songs well. He impresses in the title track Haage Summane and Odi Bandenu. In Odi Bandenu his singing surely will remind you of Rafi!!!

Shreya is used in two numbers - a simple duet with Udit Narayan which is Naanenu Nambodilla and in female version of Odi Bandenu and she rocks in the second one.

Haadonave is a passable number. Nothing much to say about Kunal and Sunidhi's crooning.

Oorella Koogi rendered by Keshav Prasad and Supriya Ramakrishnayya is a nice song with soothing music. The usage of musical instruments reminds of old hindi songs.

Title song and Odi Bandenu will mostly stand out as popular numbers. Or else its a bit disappointing fare!

Maadesha - Shivanna's next!! - Audio

Maadesha

Cast : Shivraj Kumar, Sonu Bhatia, Ravi Kaale, Ravi Belegere

Producer : B M Govinda Murthy

Director : Ravi Srivatsa

Music : Mano Murthy

Ravi Srivatsa is back after the debacle of 'Ee Rajeev Gandhi Alla" .... Maadesha and this time he his back with the best he can get - Shivraj Kumar and Mano Murthy.

"Tirugo Ee Bhoomige" sung by Vijay Prakash with lyrics by V Nagendra Prasad and Kaviraj starts off with tune of James Bond theme. The song expresses the heroic acts of the prime character in the movie. Not much in lyrics and very average music.

"Taarammayya" sung by Hemanth and Sunidhi Chauhan and lyrics by V Manohar sounds like an item number with some naughty singing by Sunidhi. Hemanth supports well.

"Munjaane Manjaagu" sung by Kunal Ganjawala and Sunidhi Chauhan with lyrics by Kaviraj is a nice peppy duet beautified very well with the guitar music. The lyrics are also very good.

"Maadesha" sung by Gurukiran(???) and lyrics by V Nagendra Prasad. Fast beats, music and different voice of Gurukiran with an underground and mafia world touch make this an interesting song.

"Lahari" sung by Sonu Nigam and lyrics by Jayant Kaikini is a nice song with lyrics telling about the feel of love. Sonu surely needs pronounciation classes if he has to come up clean in his future
Kannada Album.

"Gantu Gantu" sung by Hemanth, Keshav and Srividya and lyrics by Hrudayashiva is a song with folk touch.

"Lahari" again in its female version and who else other than Shreya Ghoshal can take it to the musically best heights. She sounds much much better than Sonu in this version. She gives a neat rendition of this beautifully written number.

A good album overall with the great "Lahari" and "Munjaane Manjaagu"! Quite different from the usual Mano Murthy. Got to see wait and see how the songs would be brought on screen.