
Such compositions rarely become huge hit singles because they lack the glitz and pizzaz. But the songs are always tightly integrated with the movie, sacrificing hit potential in favor of dramatic consistency (for e.g. no need for shy movie kanya suddenly dancing like a vixen in a promo song).
This comes at a price - big studio releases require super hit songs to settle grab a viewer's flitting attention, thus driving that person into a theater seat come opening weekend.
3 Idiots is the biggest movie of the composer's career. I was curious to see if the resulting pressure would cause him to bolt from his usual style. It didn't - as a result 3 Idiots is signature Shantanu: it won't stick to your ears immediately. But it is, in my opinion, a sharp, smart piece of work.
So what is the CD itself like? Its a bit like a story - it opens with the romp All izz Well, which is an establishing song (new musical term I'm borrowing from cinematography) - used to lay out location (campus) and establish a back story (ignorance is bliss). Because Sonu Niigaam sings the song, we get comedy packaged in superlative melody. Shantanu creates a nifty wind up lead to the chorus and uses inserted sounds and the chorus to propel the off-kilter nature of the track.

On the third song Sonu sings on this CD - Jaane Nahi - Shantanu alternates between reflection and drama. He starts the tune quietly with an acoustic guitar and almost immediately makes Sonu sing the first verse stridently with a bass drum. Its a pattern that continues through the song.
There are other songs on the OST that I recommend you explore - Shaan sings the introspective metaphor for an identity crisis - Behti Hawa and Suraj Jagan shows us some of his supple range on the director's comment, the Dylanesque Give Me Some Sunshine (spoken word by Sharmaan Joshi).
My personal thanks to Shantanu for the help in understanding the CD thematically
12 comments:
Hey Driftji,
Again impressed by the depth of your knowledge of music and the nifty use of language, esp as you described Zoobie Doobie. (This BTW is my new favorite song!) Yaar, please interview Aamir Khan next.
Thanks as usuall for a nice post.
Wondering what yu will write as a review for Kurbaan. I just saw this movi and will reserve my comments till your review is posted here. One thing for sure , what ever is the movie Kareena did act well.
Rest I will wait to ost after herin from you !!
DkS, I enjoyed the OST for Kurbaan - but just couldn't find time to review it. However I AM trying to write a post about the video for Kurbaan Hua which I thought had fascinating imagery. I felt the songs were very strong and had a very moving quality about them.
Haven't seen the movie yet.
The Music is excellent for Kurbaan , RDeSilva has a sharp direction but story line by KJo sucks bad .
Aspi, huge controversy on Kurbaan and the lawsuits they are facing. Check out: www.boycott-kurbaan-movie.com.
Seems like they didn't pony up the money to a lot of vendors!
Lots of talk about this on the east coast..
Anon :Thye link fr Boycott Kurban does not seem to be working !
DKS, wonder what's behind the boycott. My curiosity is getting the better for me.
Megania, the link works for me.
Like Zoobie Doobie, A LOT! It makes me smile and dance every time i listen to it :). I am even liking "All izz wellllll" now, especially after listening to the audio alone.
Aamir Khan is looking quite young in this movie, quite a change from his look in Fanaa and even Ghajini! His character seems to be a mash up of Ryan and Hari from the book. Not a fan of seeing grown up men playing college boys, but I have to say that seeing Maddy and Sharman in the same movie is quite a treat! I like them both, a lot!
I have marveled about how young Aamir has managed to make himself look - considering he looked a little middle-aged in Fanaa.
Other stars launch perfumes, Aamir should launch a skin care line ;).
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