After acting with Salman Khan in the overtly mushy 'Lucky - No Time For Love', Sneha Ullal pairs up with her first co-star's 'chota bhai' Sohail Khan for an emotional action drama cum love story, 'Aryan'. A movie about the life of a young man for whom two things hold most prominence in his life - his love (Sneha) and his passion (boxing), the movie has taken quite a while in the making but is now getting ready for release with a good promotion to boast of. With 'Aryan', popular telemarketing company 'Tele Brands' makes its foray into movie business with producer Poonam Khubani at the helm. The movie is written and produced by Abhishek Kapoor who had an unsuccessful acting career around a decade back [Uff Yeh Mohabbat] but now things seem promising with this upcoming entertainer. Anand Raaj Anand doubles up as a composer and lyricist and as per him this is one of the best ever scores by him. Let's check out the album to see if this is indeed the truth!
Beginning of the album is indeed quite smooth with a sweet-n-silent arrangement of music instruments marking a beginning to utterly romantic 'Janeman'. Shreya Ghoshal is the one who kick starts the proceedings with her sweet as honey rendition and as soon as Sonu Nigam takes over, it's the time for melody to flow. Lyrics are quite simple and likeable that makes this song a decent track to be heard. The best part about the composition is the smooth sailing feel to it that comes primarily due to judicious usage of instruments that never once sound disturbing at all due to a subdued feel. When ARA is the person behind a song then it is but obvious that there would be at least some dose of Punjabi feel to it and that's the case here in some of the intermittent lyrics too.
Next to come is 'Ek Look Ek Look' that is present in as many as three versions. Interestingly each of them is sung by producer Poonam Khubani who is given a good helping hand by ARA himself. First to come is the remix version that starts off in the same manner as most of the funky compositions by Pritam do. Remix by Praful Karlekar is done efficiently with today's trend of rap-n-reggae forming an integral part of the song. The composition overall is in the same style as ARA's score in ' Kaante' where he composed dance tracks with western arrangements while having an Indian feel to them. What amazes in the song is the rendition by Poonam Khubani who doesn't seem to be singing her first ever song. She has a very laidback and free-flow way of singing that gives a different feel to the song. The number has been shot well too and sounds quite alright while it is being played. Will it be a chartbuster? Maybe not, but then hear it on for some good time-pass. 'Dhol Mix' is the next one to follow and works better than the first version due to an authentic 'punjabi' touch given to it that makes it pretty foot tapping. Original version comes only in the end but after hearing the remix and the dhol version, this one pales a little in comparison.
ARA literally shouts 'Teri Te Me' on your face at the beginning of the song by the same title. A rock track (featuring twice in the album) with a forceful rendition by ARA, this one is a motivational song about achieving the impossible and doing whatever it takes to reach the top. A situational song that should come in the background when the lead protagonist is shown to be practicing and getting in shape for the big battle, it also has Pamela Jain coming towards the middle of the song. The tone of the song changes here as the lady love is shown to be missing her hubby and waiting for him to come back! Well, this song is only for the movie, though it should do well there in the narrative.
Ranjit Barot gets into the act to compose a track all by himself in the shape of 'Unbreakable Theme'. A Hollywoodish style composition that is written completely in English, it is certainly going to make one sit up and take notice due to a varied range of twists and turns that this track takes. It has everything from a 'Fast and A Furious' effect to a bit of 'Enigma' to a bit of soft-pop to heavy-metal. A good fusion number sung softly by Bianca and forcefully by Ranjit Barot alternatively, it is one of the best assemble numbers to have been churned out in Bollywood for quite some time. Hear it on - it is the best composition of the album so far and has an international look to it!
ARA gets behind the mike once again but this time goes sober for 'Lamha Lamha'. His style of rendition reminds one of ' Dil De Diya Hai' [Masti] and has a similar 'sad' feel to it. Lyrics are the mainstay of this number that is again a decent fusion with nice balance of Indian melody, lyrical feel and western arrangements (especially the background vocals). The number has the potential to grow, just like ' Dil De Diya Hai' if the movie has a long run since such situational songs do better after being 'seen' in the movie.
It's the turn of Shreya Ghoshal to get back in action with 'Rab Ne Mere', a romantic duet with Kunal Ganjawala, which doesn't really break any grounds but treads the path of traditional love songs. A little differentiating factor here is that ARA's style of melody is quite apparent in the tune as it has a subtle-n-soothing feel to it. Passable at the least!
As the saying goes, the best is left for the end, in the form of 'It's A Beautiful Day', a mushy number with an immense romantic appeal. An ideal gift for Valentines this season, it comes just at the right time with sentimental lyrics by Kumaar creating just the right feel. Shreya Ghoshal is excellent once again in this tale about two hearts just being happy in the company of each other while newcomer Hamza impresses quite a lot with his rendition. Overall a number that ends 'Aryan' on a very good note!
'Aryan' is not a bad hear at all, especially for the youngsters. And yes, Anand Raaj Anand is right when he says it is one of his best albums ever. It indeed is!
(src: IndiaFM)
Viewer's Review
Freshness is lost
by Romita (posted on : 19-Dec-06) Rating: (Average)
It is almost a year that I saw the promos of Aryan and heard its songs, and now it is tiring to watch the whole movie, the whole freshness has been lost.
A film which ‘Untimely Releases’ the promos and does not follow up with a ‘Timely Release’ is on the path to become Stale.
Aryan – Unbreakable is not going to Break any records at Box Office so it should become a fine example for others to not to make such Lousy Mistakes.
‘Cheap Imitation of Rocky-IV’
by Shivali Bedi (posted on : 18-Dec-06) Rating: (Poor)
It will not take an Expert’s opinion to term Aryan as a ‘Cheap Imitation of Rocky-IV’. I have seen Rocky-IV many times. I even have its Video Cassette. The moment I saw its trailer a year ago I had already figured what’s in store.
Those who have seen Rocky-IV will find Aryan’s Fight Sequence nothing as compared to the Original.
Sohail Khan here tries to imitate Rocky Balboa and Inder Kumar does the ditto of Drago.It is a repeat act and you don’t find much to look for.
Snehal Ullal is just a showpiece, not a worthy act.
Bollywood directors fall short of ideas or do not want to work that hard that they have to copy a Hollywood movie to make a Bollywood movie.
One wonders where did they develop this habit from,perhaps it was in college or school that they had developed this habit so as to get passed in the exams and as they say 'OLD HABITS DIE HARD!',that is the only conclusion i can come up with.
Is it so hard to make an Original movie?
Sohail Khan looks Convincing
by S. Ramanathan (posted on : 17-Dec-06) Rating: (Good)
Sohail Khan looks very Convincing and Impressive as a Boxer. Especially the Training sessions-Skipping ropes and Sprinting. He’s a got a good physique which also lends a genuine look to his character as a Boxer.
A movie on Boxing, partially if not fully, is a rare one especially in Bollywood and it gives you something different to watch.
Snehal Ullal is OK.
'Ek Look Ek Look' is the pick of the songs.
