MUSIC REVIEW OF DON
By Satyajit - Eye TV India Bureau
Juke Box
| click for larger view |
 |
"Don ka Intezar to gyarah mulkon ki police kar rahi hain..." the famous haunting punch-line of 70's legendary super hit 'Don' brings back old fashion on-screen icon 'Don' (Amitabh Bachchan) in trendy package of entertainment - 'Don -The Chase Begins Again'. The art of making "remakes" marks its costliest dent this year as Shah Rukh Khan is all geared for his next action thriller saga 'Don - The Chase Begins Again'. It scored gold with the tremendous success of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas' and Pradeep Sarkar's 'Parineeta' and all eyes are set on 'Don'. Director Farhan Akhtar has given his best to recreate the magic of Amitabh Bachchan's classic 'Don' (1978) by infusing techno-crafted action stunts and flashy song sequences. The alluring promos have already created colossal media hype with SRK donning trendy look. It will be third directorial venture for Farhan Akhtar after the path-breaking success of 'Dil Chahta Hai' and average success of 'Lakshya'. 'Dil Chahta Hai' was teenybopper's delight, 'Lakshya' was based on pop-patriotism and 'Don' brings the stylish action packed endeavors from the best possible acting talents. Teenage sensation Priyanka Chopra will be bringing alive the character Zeenat Aman played in 'Don' (1978) whereas Kareena Kapoor will be essaying Helen's brief role. Arjun Rampal will be doing Pran's role and Isha Koppikar's role brings new dimensions to this action pot-boiler. Musical trio (SEL) Shankar Ehsaan Loy's funky and upbeat music is fully loaded with techno-wizardry musical elements to pump up youthful passion in eight delightful soundtracks. Prominent creative icon Javed Akhtar has masterminded thematically inclined lyrics for 'Don'. DJ Randolph and Midivial Punditz (Pop Group) have expertise with their high-profile westernized funky musical attributes in two soundtracks. T-Series hopes for astronomical sales with its audio release. The evergreen soundtracks "Khaike Pan Banaraswala", "Yeh Mera Dil" and signature tune have been rehashed and revamped in trendy with extra addition of foot-thumping numbers.
MAIN HOON DON: The dark and daunting ambience prevails as dangerously intimidating signature tune of 'Don' marks the beginning of the title track "Main Hoon Don". The lyrics are as different as chalk and cheese but deliver the same passion in silhouetted presentation of the dangerous "Don". It was Kishore Kumar's histrionics that spelled magic in words "Arre Deewano Mujhe Pehchanno...", but this time Shaan holds mike and croons "Duniya Mein Logo…" Shankar Ehsaan Loy's immaculately upbeat musical arrangements create an aura of mysterious and mystical magic. Javed Akhtar's lyrics may not be as powerful but still carry the gist of the character and the film. The song has already been promoted aggressively on TV channels and it will be prize winning factor for the film's success.
"Main Hoon Don (Fnc International mix)" rocks the floor from the first beat and zooms straight into hearts with rollicking club beats. The track will work wonder as promotional song and has all the peppy flavors for disco freaks. The loud pitched high voltage funky beats will make resonating effects if played to full volume on hi-fi music system. ROCKING!!!
YEH MERA DIL: Asha Bhosle's shimmering voice with hip-gyrating sensuous moves of Helen made "Yeh Mera Dil" a sensational hit. The number "Yeh Mera Dil" returns with same lyrics but with different beats and vocals. SEL pumps up keyboard generated funky beats with Sunidhi Chauhan chilling out with raunchy lines. In Farhan Akhtar's 'Don' its sensuous and vivacious Kareena Kapoor's body moves along with SRK's histrionics that will enlighten the song proceedings. The number has already made news with Kareena showing loads of enthusiasm publicly. The song begins religiously with the old tune of "Yeh Mera Dil" followed by techno-generated funky beats. It's an entertaining number but its stylish choreography will be a high point in deciding its ranking on chartbusters.
MORIYA RE: Shanker Mahadevan's proficiency in Indian classical music and prowess in delivering devotional numbers has made him cult figure in Times Music's devotional series with "Bappa Moriya Re" being one of his finest works. The French bearded music composer and vocalist returns with similar devotion and brings in religious celebration of "Ganesh Chaturthi" in beautifully rendered soundtrack "Moriya Re". The boisterous "n" enthused "dhol", "manjiras", "shehnai" welcome the arrival of Lord Ganesh with added titillating mandolin tunes in a festive way. It brings cheers to face as the most celebrated festivals of India and Maharashtra. Ganesh Chaturthi gets a standing ovation through pompous chorus in the background. Javed Akhtar's lyrics may not be penetrative or soulful but make it special for a religious occasion. It will be a listening delight for religiously inclined movie buffs. It will be a visual treat to watch the acrobatic "Lazium" (Maharashtrian folk dance) being played with this foot-thumping number. The concluding fast paced traditional instrumental work coupled with loud chorus speaks for its colorful and zestful display.
KHAIKE PAN BANARASWALA : So after "Ganpati" celebration and upbeat rollicking tracks it's time to celebrate with flavors of Bhojpuri "halwa" and "pan"! Amitabh Bachchan's memorable "pan chewing" number "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" gets snazzy makeover with added "Bhojpuri" infused rap lyrics in the colorful number ( "Khaike Pan Banaraswala"). The number comes out with same lyrics with added spicy lines by Shah Rukh Khan in a frivolous manner. Kishoreda's versatile genius made this song immortal and now it's Udit Narayan's modulating and entertaining voice ruling the show. It will be rocking hit in Hindi speaking regions and if promoted aggressively it will catch the fancy of urban movie buffs. The listeners who have heard the original version will also enjoy this modernized makeover.
AAJ KI RAAT : The daunting and pulsating beats of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" garnished with the rip-roaring musical flavors of "Raat Baaki Baat Baaki" ('Namakhalal') forms sensuous prelude to frolicking number "Aaj Ki Raat". Unquestionably, the best soundtrack of the album comes out with brilliant beat-matching of vocals with rollicking musical beats. Pop diva Alisha Chinai along with melodious Mahalaxmi Iyer epitomizes the intimidating ambience of unpredictable night. A sure shot winner that shows the pinnacle of musical genius of SEL. This high voltage musical extravaganza is expected to be choreographed on Priyanka Chopra and Isha Koppikar in flashy and trendy locations. Sonu Nigam's serpentine "n" sensuous flow adds dash of unpredicted belligerence that makes mood immaculately dark "n" daunting. The soundtrack is expected to be shooting up in chartbusters with the promotion of the film. After "Kajre Re ..", Alisha Chinai scores another sure-shot winner with Mahalaxmi Iyer and Sonu Nigam proving their mettle with mike. OUTSTANDING!!!
DON - THE THEME : Shanker Ehsaan Loy's westernized lounge musical mix makes modern makeover of original 'Don' introductory signature tunes in the soundtrack "Don-The Theme". It's slow moving with mixed bag of titillating tunes, police sirens and old fashioned disco punched music. It will get its maximum worth on screen rather than in audio album.
DON REVISITED: Punditz recreates the magic of "Don" by plagiarizing the famous punch lines "Don Ko Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahi, Namumkin Hai…" and the signature tune of famous song "Arre Diwano Mujhe Pehchano, Main Hoon Don" in rip-roaring and high voltage rollicking beats in "Don Revisited". This instrumental work has been promoted exclusively on the website and promos of the film. Like Hollywood action thriller it has the desired zing to lift tempo and spirits of the viewers. This pulsating instrumental work has been conceived to give film's climax a breathtaking and glossy finish. A glossy end to scintillatingly fabulous end to eagerly awaited trendy westernized beat album!
Shanker Ehsaan Loy's musical expertise has proved worthy for filmmaker once again after the colossal success of 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna'. Like 'Fanaa', 'Krissh' and 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', the film will enjoy hi-profile media hype and good opening. The upbeat and pulsating music will be an added benefit to lift the spirits with soundtracks like "Main Hoon Don", "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" and "Aaj Ki Raat". 'Don-The Chase Begins Again' will enjoy outstanding sales status and if the film hits jackpot then it can be among this year's top most albums.