While Sandeep is making waves with his first album in India, Karunya is performing in New York these days.
Seen here, Karunya at the Hindu temple auditorium in New York, July 21.
So our tapori buddies are back to the usual mischief, with Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Director Rajkumar Hirani at the helm in Lage Raho Munnabhai. Now, if you’re like me, then you are gasping for fresh air among the over-polluted Reshammiya skies. Besides a little Pritam and Vishal-Shekhar interspersed throughout the first half of 2006, it’s pretty much been a Reshammiya dictatorship (with no sign of a democracy looming in sight!). However, the man who brought us exceptional music in the forms of Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi, Yahaan, and Parineeta has returned to give the listening audiences a break from repetitive song structures and nasal voices! Shantanu Moitra is the man to replace Anu Malik as the musical head in the second season of Munnabhai and Circuit’s adventurous journey, and the replacement pays off big time. Swanand Kirkire [Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi, Sehar, Parineeta] picks up the pen for Moitra once more.
First up we have the two tapori numbers, which were prevalent in the prequel. Lage Raho Munnabhai has vocals by Vinod Rathod with a very lively chorus infiltrating the piece throughout. Although the composition is ecstatic and joyous in nature; it’s quite evident to the trained ear that Shantanu Moitra gets his hands dirty with something he’s not quite familiar with. Place this number next to say, Parineeta’s Raat Hamari To and you can discern the familiarity that he has with each genre. Nonetheless, he makes a commendable effort. And due to the raw talent and musical impulses he possesses, he creates a composition that should be a treat to unravel on screen. Swanand Kirkire does his job right by writing some situational lyrics to fit the composition and mood of the film as a whole. Verdict: A valiant effort that will come alive on screen.
Jatin Sharma puts his spin on the remix version that features Shaan in place of Vinod Rathod. A typical remix, that has its share of pep and flare.
Samjho Ho Hi Gaya is the second tapori number. Featuring Sanjay Dutt, Arshad Warsi, and Vinod Rathod, this piece is all but boring! Yet another situational piece, with similar arrangements as its predecessor, the track excels in the lyrical department. Swanand Kirkire, Farhad, and Sajid come together to write some witty lines that, once again, will have an optimal effect while experienced on screen.
Shantanu Moitra goes to the Caribbean way to compose Aane Char Aane. Rendered by debutant Karunya (runner up of Indian Idol 2), the piece has some tropical arrangements enacted by hyper bass, trumpets, and flutes. Although it may take some time to grow on you, Karunya’s soft vocals blend into the piece with ease. Moitra uses this piece to flex his muscles when it comes to knowledge of world music. The chorus that backs Karunya only adds to the tropical flavor of the piece. VVC himself picks up the pen to write alongside Kirkire, as they write some simple situational words for Karunya to croon. Jatin Sharma’s remix adds nothing to the original and is unnecessary.
Pal Pal Har Pal is by far the best piece in the soundtrack and amongst the most melodious of the year. Now this is the Shantanu Moitra we have all come to know and love. The piece is like another Piyu Bole, which has Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam romancing over Moitra’s sublime creation. The PizzStrings, infused with a lonesome play of the bass, the piano, the chorus, and the flute, make for a heavenly experience. Melody triumphs, as Moitra creates a very contemporary waltz that should have you humming in no time. Shreya Ghoshal is at her peak, hitting ever note perfectly, while dragging the beauty out of each and every phrase. Just like Moitra, Kirkire too returns to his niche to write some simple, sweet, and romantic lyrics. Verdict: Brilliant work by everyone involved!
But…there’s some bad news. It appears that Shantanu Moitra has ripped off the title line from British singer Cliff Richard’s hit single Theme For A Dream. It should be noted that Shantanu Moitra had also lifted his Kaisi Paheli Zindagani from Parineeta. Also, Urzu Urzu Durkut from Yahaa had bits and pieces lifted as well. Let’s just hope that this doesn’t turn into a re-occurring habit!
To finish the soundtrack off is Bande Mein Tha Dum – Vande Mataram. Write off the bat, Shantanu Moitra puts his signature touch with the guitar serving as the harmonic base, upon which Sonu Nigam renders a flawless song. Apart from a distinguished composition, VVC and Swanand Kirkire write of The Father of The Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Shreya Ghoshal makes her presence felt with the classy Vande Mataram interludes, while Pranab Biswas does justice to his limited role of repeating the Bande Mein Tha Dum chorus.
Shantanu Moitra presents us with an Instrumental version of the previous, with Ashvin Shrinivasan’s flute taking over Sonu’s vocals. Kudos to Moitra for creating a very classy, yet varied composition by throwing instruments like the crunch guitar, harmonium, and the flute into one basket and creating a mirage of sorts.
Lage Raho Munnabhai is a keeper for sure. If Shantanu Moitra’s name on the cover wasn’t already enough to get you to buy the CD, then just do it to give your system a break from the Reshammiya regime.
For Karunya, reaching the finals of the 'Indian Idol' contest was pre-destined. The Hyderabad-born youth enthralled the audience with numbers sung by singers ranging from Manna Dey to Sonu Nigam seemingly effortlessly. He earned raves from judges Farah Khan, Anu Malik and Sonu Nigam. The audience was with him all the way. And all this, at 19. Was he very disappointed when he lost? Karunya declares he was expecting to lose. When he saw the support for his rival Sandeep, he simply thought about the positive side of losing out. Everything happens for the best, he says.
He has never recorded a song before and is excited about his first assignment - as a playback singer to the 'Munnabha' sequel. He has sung a duet, 'Aane chaar aane bache hai...' with Shreya Ghoshal after which he got opportunities in Telugu, Kannada and Tamil. Things are going great guns for Nallan Chakratanthula Karunya, which is, by the way, his full name.
Karunya was born into a musically-inclined family but he is the first in his family to become a professional singer. His family members play various musical instruments and love classical music but none have used their talent professionally. Singing in different languages came very naturally to Karunya even as a boy (which he actually still is!) He enjoyed every kind of music, including Western. In preparation for 'Indian Idol', he trained under Bhavdeep Jaipurwale in Mumbai, who was also training the other contestants.
While the dream of most contestants and finalists is to release their own album, Karunya is taking it easy by concentrating on his playback singing. He would love to do an album if it appeals to his creativity. For a person so young, he seems surprisingly untouched by fame - as yet.
Karunya is doing his final year in Electrical and Chemical Engineering. He is particular that he will sing only quality songs considering that he chose challenging classical numbers doing the contest. And he wants to sing in his own style. His dream is to sing every genre of Indian music and become an international star. All he wants, he says, is to be known as a great singer and nothing else. For a person so obviously blessed with talent, that should not be difficult.
New Wave Creations Media has joined the bandwagon. The production house, headed by Kode Srinivasa Raja and Uma Maheshwari, has made the film Something Special.
The movie stars Samrat, Rajender, Aswini, Sunaina and Mona Chopra in the leads.
As the title of the movie makes it apparent, this is a movie that has something for everyone. In that sense, it has something of everything.
Not surprisingly, this is a youthful romantic flick. The director Ch Srinivas Rao chips in to say that there will be plenty of emotion and comedy too.
Producer Srinivasa Raja adds that the film has been lavishly mounted. He points out that out of the seven songs in the movie, six have been canned in Thailand.
Both the director and producer assure you full value for your ticket.
The director says the music of the movie will be a great highlight. Incidentally, this was the first movie that Indian Idol runner up Karunya as a singer. He has sung two numbers in the movie.
The music of the film, a good mix of melody and mass, is already a hit.
Samrat, the hero of the movie, has set much store by the movie. He says the script and story is very good, and his role itself is also pretty sturdy. It is a fact that is also echoed in heroine Sunaina's words.
Both say that the movie has turned out well and there are plenty for them to feel satisfied and happy.
Mona Chopra is there to add glamour value to the movie.
The director is not ready to talk about the film's story. He says let the expectation linger.
And certainly does, as the movie gets ready for release.
