Films
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Moksha
Music Review
Synopsis - This story is about young Vikram Saigal (Arjun Rampal), a student of law, of extraordinary brilliance. Despite the fact that he secured his degree with distinction, he refused to hold the brief, because he felt convinced that the ideals he stood for, clashed irreconciably with those being practiced by the Establishment. He knew tha he couldn't ever hope to change the order of the establishment; but he certainly could aim at and strive for teh founding of an institution as didstinct from the vicious mainstream where corruption was the order of the day. And it was as if he had given a promise unto himself that he wouldn't donn the gown and enter the portals of justice, till he achieved what he aimed at. Yet, the moment came where he was obliged to donn the gown and fight a case, his first and last, and strangely, in defense of himself.
One release can change your fortunes. This holds
so true for current heart-throb Arjun Rampal. Pre Pyar, Ishq Aur Mohabbat (PIAM)
, Moksha was just another film by a debutant director Ashok Mehta starring
Manisha Koirala and a good looking newcomer. And look how the fortunes of Moksha
- The Salvation changed after the release of PIAM !!! Though PIAM was a washout,
the person who benefited most out of it has been Arjun. The hysteria generated
by Arjun is something that made a superstar out of Hrithik Roshan. So what
happens next ? Music of 'Long in the waiting' Moksha is out and the film is now
a hot property in the film circuit.
Check out the shades of brilliance by the combo of Rajesh Roshan and Javed
Akhtar (again) in 'Seep Mein Moti' and 'Mohabbat Zindagi Hai'. Especially 'Seep
Mein Moti' which has excellent wordings and makes one go through exactly the
same pain as the lead players. Tune wise it is on the lines of 'Sheeshe Se Bani
Ek Ladki' from Dastak. It is sung by "Now...Oh !! So regular !!" Shaan who
demonstrates his growth as a singer. There is another version of the same song
with Pamela behind the mike and she too does an equally good job.
Hangover of Datsak is visible again in 'Mohabbat Zindagi Hai' (Madhushree)
which has a style similar to 'Kal beet gaya Hai Jo' (Dastak). But never mind
till the number makes a good listening. Madhushree succeeds in sounding like a
'bitten-in-love' girl and has fun in doing that.
'Nani Maa' is a lullaby which is featured twice in the album. Once with
Mahalaxmi and then with Dominique. Can't say that the number will become a trend
setter as in today's hindi movie scenario, not many people have an exceptional
liking for lullaby !!! Ya, the only difference between the conventional lullaby
and 'Nani maa' is that here it is not an elder singing for a child but the other
way round i.e. Ritika (played by Manisha Koirala) getting nostalgic about her
Grand Mother and singing praises about her.
If you watch the idiot box, then you must have seen Arjun coming out of water
and looking real HOT in 'Humko Pyar Hai'. The song has got a distinct Rajesh
Roshan stamp and makes for a good romatic number. Kamaal "O O Jaane Jaana" Khan
and new find Sneha (who sounds like Chitra) sing a good duet. Heart skips a few
beats whenever Kamaal sings 'Humko Pyar Hai, Ye Khumaar Hai'.
Well, so if 'Kambakth Ishq' could do it then can't 'Jaan Leva' do the same
!!! Jaan Leva by Sukhwinder Singh and Kavita Krishnamoorthy is exactly on the
same lines as the biggest hit of the year so far 'Kambakth Ishq'. Similar style,
similar orchestra, similar sounds, similar intensity, similar passion and
similar what not !!! And ya, the similarity doesn't end here. As with 'Kambakth'
, here too we have an original and a remix of the same. So come on everyone, put
it on at full volume and have a blast !!! 'Jaan Leva' is bound to go some way
!!!!
There are bits and pieces of dialogues too interspersed between the songs (but
why ?) May be it was done to establish the character played by Arjun i.e. Vikram-a
lawyer. But all said and done , the boy has a distinct style of dialogue
delivery. The style - which is so very different from the conventional Bollywood
heroes.
Rajesh Roshan and Javed Akhtar had earlier given soulful melodious hits in Papa
Kehte Hai and Dastak. The combination excels again here - though not in totality
but in parts at least. Definitely an above-average album.
After embellishing films such as “Gupt”, “Bandit Queen”, “Saudagar” and “Pukar” with his slick camerawork, Ashok Mehta, the highly underrated and under appreciated cinematographer makes his directorial debut with “Moksha,” to be premiered in film festivals worldwide before its Indian release. Touted to be one of the surprise packages of the year, “Moksha” boasts of an impressive cast, which has the newest “find” Arjun Rampal in the lead. While the final shape of the film is yet to be seen, the soundtrack proves to be one that is quite difficult to review. Riding on the success of “Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai,” Rajesh Roshan composes 8 of the 9 tracks in the album. Is this album as impressive as “KNPH?” Not really. Is it worth a listen? Sure.
The opening track “Jaan Leva” is an all out winner. Composed along the style of songs like “Kambakth Ishq” this is a racy number that sets your feet tapping instantly. The vocals by Sukhwindara Singh and Kavita Krishnamurthy are immaculate. Unlike its remixed counterpart, this track does not rely much on “techno” arrangements, and also sticks to a clichéd beat. While the tune is nothing fresh, the vocals are the real winners. Shravan Sinha’s lyrics don’t really stand out, but are not bad either. It could however do without those corny English segments.
The next track “Humko Pyar Hai” by Kamaal Khan and newcomer Sneha has a typical Rajesh Roshan feel to it. Kamaal Khan does a decent job while Sneha too is quite impressive. The lyrics by Javed Akhtar don’t offer anything new while the musical arrangements are just rehashes of Roshan’s earlier work.
“Seep Mein Moti” has two versions, one sung by Pamela and other by Shaan. Pamela’s amateurish vocals are quite a contrast to Shaan’s polished voice. In terms of tune and music, this gazhal-ish song doesn’t offer much. However, the lyrics by Javed Akhtar are simply wonderful. The metaphors of “seep mein moti” for the “baat jo kehni hai” are very well penned.
Tracks 4 and 5 are titled “Naani Maa” one sung by Dominique and the other by Mahalakshmi, both A.R. Rahman discoveries. Obviously dedicated to the love of naani maa’s, Javed saab has produced yet another of his wonders. The vocals and arrangements in both versions are certainly above average. However, while listening to it, I had a gut feeling that I had certainly heard this tune before in some English song. I guess if you don’t know what the original was, like myself, it would be an enjoyable number.
“Mohabbat Zindagi Hai” sung by Madhushree is a disappointment. The song sounds like a jingle from some advertisement. Skip!!!
The 8th track is my personal favorite of the album. The “Jaan Leva” remix is awesome. The techno beat and digitized voice modulations are really cool. This version is also much faster than the original, making it an excellent dance track. Repeat-Repeat and Repeat!!!
The final track titled “Beginning of the End” is the theme track composed by Salim and Suleman Merchant. The composers borrow heavily from two of the finest background score composers, A.R. Rahman and Sandeep Chowta. The use of vocals, guitar, and the piano is right out of the Chowta book while the Cello led orchestrations with flute solos are right out of the Rahman book. Many segments of the track bear a striking resemblance to certain sections of the theme tracks of “Satya” and “Asoka”. Despite borrowing so heavily from Chowta and Rahman, Salim and Suleman Merchant fail to make any impact with this track. A very annoying track if you’re as die-hard a fan of Rahman and Chowta as I am.
Overall, “Moksha” is not too bad an album. It is definitely worth an ear for some good tracks. The main drawback of the album was that despite its pleasantness, the slower songs tended to get too long and boring, forcing me to hit that skip button.
6.5 out of 10