Knock Out Comic Strip – Rock-A-Holics

I’m pretty sure most of you must’ve heard random chatter about how Mani Shankar’s Knock Out bears resemblance to a certain Kiefer Sutherland starrer Phone Booth. Well, don’t believe a word of it! While Phone Booth is slick, and tense, and louly, and awesome, Knock Out is a steaming pile of bullcrap. Although, where Knock Out lacks in awesome, it makes up in sheer WTF-ery. Sample lines such as, “Heart hamara left main hota hai, magar hamesha right hota hai”, said with such deadpan seriousness that it breaks my heart, because it’ll never translate in comic form. Meh, there’s more than enough bits that will, though.

Anjaana Anjaani Comic strip – ROCK-A-HOLICS

So, Anjaana Anjaani is a simple love story… About a boy and a girl… Who want to kill themselves… But keep doing fail… So in the end they hook up.

Least fucked up relationship. ever.

CALL ME DIL – JHOOTHA HI SAHI – GUITAR CHORDS

C          G          D         D

C          G          D         D

(C)Mera O (G)Mera (D)Chehra Hua

(C)Mujhse An(G)Jaan (D)Kyu

Kaun (C)Hu Main (G) (D)

Kaun (C)Hu Main (G) (D)Oooo

(C)Aawaz (G)To Hai Me(D)Ri

Par (C)Kehta Ko(G)I Aur (D)Hai

(C)Jhoothi Meri (G)Batein Aur (D)Sacha Mera Pyaar

(C)To Kya Meri (G)Pehchaan (D)Hai

(C)Bolo Na Kya (G)Naam (D)Hai

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (C)Baby

Call Me (G)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (D)Baby

Call Me (C)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (Bm)Sach To Main (Am)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

Call Me (F)Sach To Main (G)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

(C)Ek Bas (D)Dil Hai Mera

(C)Tujhpe Hi (D)Fida To (G)Hai

(C)Kaise Ye (D)Maan Le Ab

(C)Hone Ko Al(D)Vida To (G)Hai

(G)Ruk Ja Dil (D)Deewani

(G)Pooche Dil (D)Mera

(C)Kyun Ye (D)Saza, Dil To (G)Nadan Hai

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (C)Baby

Call Me (G)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (C)Baby

Call Me (C)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (Bm)Sach To Main (Am)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

Call Me (F)Sach To Main (G)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

(C)Tere (G)Dil Se (D)Pehle

(C)Tootega (G)Dil (D)Mera

Hai Ye (C)Vaada(G)(D)

Hai Ye (C)Vaada (G) (D)Oooo

(C)Har Jhooth (G)Aine (D)Me

(C)Sacha Sa (G)Lag Ra(D)Ha Hai

(C)Dekh Le (G)Tu Bhi To (D)Ho Ek Baar

Ke (C)Kya Meri (G)Pehchan (D)Hai

(C)Bolo Na Kya (G)Naam (D)Hai

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (C)Baby

Call Me (G)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (G)Dil, Call Me (C)Baby

Call Me (C)Jo Naam (D)Tu Main Wa(C)Hi

Call Me (Bm)Sach To Main (Am)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

Call Me (F)Sach To Main (G)Sacha

Call Me (C)Chahe Jhoo(D)Tha Hi Sa(G)Hi

Jhootha Hi Sahi Music Review – A R Rahman

CALL ME DIL – RASHID ALI

Awesome composition by Rahman.Perfectly Rahman’ish….

Call me dil‘s dulcet notes get accentuated because of Rashid Ali’s vocals as Rahman gets his balladish orchestration pitch-perfect here!

CRY CRY – RASHID ALI,SHREYA GHOSHAL

Rashid’s other track, Cry cry, is the mellow, pondering equivalent of Aditi; similar in its free-flowing format and conversational lyrics, particularly when Shreya Ghoshal joins, this one is vintage Rahman-style slow poison!

HELLO HELLO – KARTHIK

Hello hello is where Rahman plays his genre-bending card…rather well. With a faint echo of Middle-eastern, but treading pleasant experimentations, this track by Karthik is interesting precisely because of its unconventional sound!

MAYYA YASHODA – CHINMAYEE,JAVED ALI

Chinmayi sounds different yet again and is in brilliant form, as she joins Javed Ali in Mayya Yashoda…a spritely, mildly spoofy traditional tune that gets hyper-enthusiastic towards the end!

DO NISHAANIYAN – SONU NIGAM

Sonu goes all moony in Do nishaaniyan, but it sounds at best like a Yuvvraaj leftover, except for Abbas’s fascinating lyrics!

PAM PA RA – SHREYA GHOSHAL

Pam pa ra, beyond that simplistic facade, holds a lovely mix of genres, much like Hello hello – a stagey, but charming mix!

I’LL BE WAITING – VIJAY YESUDAS

I’ll be waiting is the soundtrack’s stunning highlight – Vijay Yesudas in a dreamy, beautifully orchestrated, jazzy package that touches on  lovely Hindi lyrics too!

There are two remixes – Do Nishaaniyan ( Reprise ) and Mayya Yashoda ( Thames Mix ) in the album…

As if making up for Endhiran’s bombastic outburst, Rahman delivers and succeeds with a gorgeous experiment, quite confidently!

ROCK-A-HOLICS RATING : 4.25/5

ANJAANA ANJAANI MUSIC REVIEW

ANJAANA ANJAANI KI KAHAANI – Nikhil D’ Souza,Monali Thakur

The Pancham touch is smart and subtle in the title song‘s background; the enthusiasm quotient, in large part by Nikhil D’Souza and Monali Thakur’s vocals, is obvious and addictive. But don’t know why all title tracks given by Vishal n Shekar sounds same…

ANJAANA ANJAANI -Vishal Dadlani,Shilpa rao

The second title song, featuring Vishal and Shilpa Rao is completely different and fuses Vishal Shekhar’ish rock with the Indian music impressively!

HAIRAT – Lucky Ali

Lucky Ali completely rocks Hairat; familiar Vishal-Shekhar territory, no doubt, but they innovate even within that and produce lovely results. Completely rocking song. My favorite from the album.

AAS PAAS KHUDA – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Aas paas khuda, despite the captivating arrangements, is tepid, tune-wise. As usual Rahat Fateh Ali Khan ji gave soul to the song.

TUMSE HI TUMSE – Carlisa Montiero,Shekar Ravjiani

With its strong Salaam Namaste hangover, if Tumse hi tumse still works, it is solely because of Shekhar and Caralisa’s spirited vocals. Definitely a cool song but not different.

TUJHE BHULA DIYA – Mohit Chauhan,Shruti Pathak,Shekar Ravjiani

The soundtrack truly takes off with Tujhe bhula diya and I feel good; the former is a lyrically-staid judai track, incredibly jump-started by Shruti Pathak, Mohit Chauhan and Shekhar’s fabulous vocals and sparkling mod-qawali phrases, while the latter is absolutely breezy with a punchy hook!

There are also 3 remixes in the album of Anjaana Anjaani,Aas Paas Khuda n Tujhe Bhula Diya

It is usually expected that Vishal Shekhar get their sound very right; here they do – no surprises. The tunes do start to sound similar to their earlier soundtracks, but then they have this knack of getting perfect hooks that works big time. Anjaana Anjaani’s music is no exception!

ROCK-A-HOLICS RATING : 2.75 / 5

We Are Family Music Review – Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Rahem O Karam – Vishal Dadlani , Shankar Mahadevan

There is an overriding soul-style sound in this soundtrack that seems very appealing. But I felt SEL  adopted the style of Amit Triwedi in the intro.It’s more pronounced in the piano-laden Reham O Karam, that starts blissfully serene before escalating its notes,

Sun le dua – Shreya Ghoshal

Sun le dua, an all-out mellow tune that rides entirely on Shreya’s scintillating vocals. Awesome keyboard and flute work in the song which makes us involve in the song..

Ankhon Mein Neendein – Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,Shreya Ghoshal,Shankar Mahadeven

The song starts with sweet Shreya Ghoshal voice followed by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.Rahat-led Aankhon mein is predictably sweet and that is saying a lot. A pleasent song…

Hamesha & Forever – Sonu Nigam,Shreya Ghoshal

Sonu-Shreya duet Hamesha & Forever has at least a captivating chorus going for it. A typical kind of song which all Karan Johar movies will have,

Dil Khol Ke – Anushka Manchandani,Suraj Jaggan

Elvis Presley’s Jailhouse Rock’s desi twist, Dil khol ke, seems like sacrilege, but works eventually due to Anushka…and Suraj Jagan’s vocals!

We Are Family (Theme) – Dominique Cerejo,Clinton Cerejo,Neuman Pinto

A good instrumental and addictive too…..A peaceful theme with SEL standards

Karan Johar’ish predictability, with a new-found maturity.

ROCK-A-HOLICS RATING : 3/5

Aashayein Music Review – Salim Sulaiman & Pritam

Salim – Sulaiman’s Aashayein was such a long pending album…It is the album with 13 tracks in which 5 are remixes….

The album starts with a Pritam song, Mera Jeena hai kya, sung by Neeraj Shridhar. Awesome  mix of  keyboard and flute in the intro of song make us that it is definitely not composed by Pritam but later I have concluded that its definitely a Pritam kinda song…It is a good melody but make me felt that I have listened it some where before.. KK would have done better job than Neeraj Shridhar..

Then the next, Dilkash Dildaar duniya comes which is again a Pritam composition and sung by Shaan and Tulsi Kumar. A beat-based song with a nostalgic feel. Shaan is fine but I’m not coming to terms with Tulsi very well. Okay song.

The third song, Rabba comes from Shiraz Uppal.Its already released song in Shiraz Uppal’s ANKAHI album..It is a good song but remained unrealized…The lines RABBA YE KYA HUA..RABBA YE DIL GAYA reminds me a Devisri Prasad tune in some telugu movie…Hope this album gives him a break..

Then comes the already heard Zubeen sung ‘Ab mujhko Jeena.’ The song starts somewhat like Summer of 69 but then it moves to a fast, inspiring type song. Can’t say much about the song as I’ve heard it way too much already. It’s even been my ringtone for a long time. So all I can say is the song is definitely good.

Next song of the album, Shukriya Zindagi, that starts on a lovely note and as Shafqat starts singing ‘chhan ke aayi to kya chandni to mili’ in an easy mood, you know you’re going to get an inspirational treat from Salim-Sulaiman and Shafqat. Beautiful lyrics by Mir Ali Husain in continuously second song.

As Shreya Ghoshal starts rendering Pal mein Mila Jahan, in her soft voice, with almost nothing playing in the background, you think it’s a sad version of some song, but then the song proceeds, and after a tough job done by Shreya, instruments appear in the background. A really good song and some superb singing by Shreya but I don’t know how many will have patience to listen to this song. Try to listen to the song anyway.

Finally, Chala Aaya Pyaar brings in Mohit Chauhan. A quite slow, deep song with some romantic lyrics. Somehow after ‘Pal mein’ the song sounds a bit sad as it seems to mix with its predecessor, but as Mohit comes towards the higher notes in the song, you start liking it. Good use of percussion, loved the tabla in the song. Go for it, but it may need some patience before you fall for the song.

Shankar Mahadevan is a choice of many composers when it comes to deep songs, and even more when there are less instruments in the background, as Shankar has got some awesome power in his voice. Therefore, after Raajneeti’s Dhan dhan dharti re, he gets to sing another earthy song with less instruments and more singing. And the song is none other than Shreya sung Pal mein mila Jahan’s male version, but Shankar gives the song much more power than Shreya did. I guess people would like this one more, if they have enough patience to decide.

After this, the album has five remixes but I wouldn’t even hear them as of now, after listening to seven songs already. Oh, btw, there is one sad version of Shukriya Zindagi which is again a wonderful listen for those who appreciate one minute long instrumentless pieces. Cuz I was a fan of Aashayein slow version and always played the song after the slow version.

Overall, the album is good and worth listening . Mohit Chauhan and Shiraz Uppal are a bit below their own set standards. The biggest problem is that few songs in the album catch you instantly, though I hope many of the songs will sound just perfect in the movie as background.

ROCK-A-HOLICS RATING : 3.5/5

SUNO AISHA – AISHA – GUITAR CHORDS

……..Em……………….D………………Am………….Em
Tum ho kamaal, Tum bemisaal, Tum lajawab ho aisha
..Em……………..D…………………G………………..Em
Aisi haseen ho, Jis ko choo lo usko haseen kar do
……..Em…………..D…………………..Am……………….Em
Tum sochti ho duniya mein, Koi bhi kyun kharaab ho aisha
……..Em……………….D……………..G…………………Em
Tum chahati ho, Tum koi rang har zindagi mein bhar do
Bhar do

…Em……………D……………Am………………………..Em
Nikli ho likhne kismat kisiki, Apni hi dhun mein tum aisha
……Em…………………..D…………..G………………….Em
Yeh shauk kya hai,Yeh zid hai kaisi, Itna bata do humko
…Em……………D………….Am………………………..Em
Suljaane mein tum aur bhi uljane, Hoti ho jo ghum aisha
…Em…………….D…………….G………………….Em
Apni bhi koi uljan ko door,Kar ke dikha do humko

D……………..D………..Am………Em
Suno aisha…….aa..aa, Itna to tum bhi samjho
D……..D…………Am…………..G
Aisha…….aa..aa, Tum chahe jitna chaho
D…….D…………Am………..Em
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum jitni koshish karo lo
D………D……….Am………..G
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum sa na hoga koi

D……………Em…………..D……………..Em
Baton mein ho aa jaati…….Ho jaati ho jazbaati
G………………D……………..Bm……………Em
….Soche samjho un ke mohabbat,Ki hai rah kya
D……………….Em……………D………….Em
….Pal mein ho ke diwaaani…..Karti ho tum Manmaani
G……………..D………………..Bm………….Em
….Tumko Hai duniya vuniya ki Koi parwaah kya
Am…………………………..G
…..Aisha jise kehte hain….Ek hain woh lakhon mein
Am…………………………………..G………………………………Am
…..Dil mein jaake rukti hain ho…Aati hai jo ankhhon mein

D……………..D………..Am……..Em
Magar aisha…….aa..aa, Itna to tum bhi samjho
D……..D…………Am…………..G
Aisha…….aa..aa, Tum chahe jitna chaho
D…….D…………Am………..Em
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum jitni koshish karo lo
D………D……….Am………..G
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum sa na hoga koi

D#…………D#…………A#m…..Fm
Suno aisha…….aa..aa, Itna to tum bhi samjho
D#…..D#……….A#m…………G#
Aisha…….aa..aa, Tum chahe jitna chaho
D#……..D#………A#m….Fm
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum jitni koshish karo lo
D#…..D#………A#m……….G#
Aisha…….aa..aa,Tum sa na hoga koi

Udaan Movie Review

Starring: Introducing Rajat Barmecha, Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor

Director: Vikramaditya Motwane

India’s official entry to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year, Udaan directed by debutante director Vikramaditya Motwane is an excellent coming of age movie that deserves to be watched by every teenager and their parents.

Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) studying at a boarding school for eight years is expelled from school after a fun and wild time out that has lead to a fiasco. He returns home to Jamshedpur to live with his strict father (Ronit Roy). He discovers that he has a half- brother (Aayan Boradia). His father however doesn’t appear happy to have him back. Rohan aspires to become a writer whereas his father forces him to work in his factory. Rohan loses all the independence he enjoyed during his school days. Life becomes extremely claustrophobic for Rohan and the only respite he finds is in his uncle (Ram Kapoor) and college senior (Anand Tiwari). What happens after Rohan makes his mind to break free from his father’s tyrant rules forms the rest of the plot.

Excellently written and directed by Vikramaditya Motwane the film deserves all the accolades it has been getting. Very rarely films are set nowadays in small town India and more rarely are they shot in a realistic manner. Motwane scores in here over it. The daily life after Rohan starts working in his dad’s factory is effectively captured. Amongst the impressive sequences are Rohan and college seniors’ gang picking up fights just for fun with strangers, Kanti Shah Ke Angoor sequence and the climactic run chase between Rohan and his father.

Amit Trivedi of Dev. D fame’s soulful music lifts the film to another level. Mahendra Shetty’s camerawork is very good. Sound designer Kunal Sharma also deserves special mention especially for the factory sound sequences.

Newcomer Rajat Barmecha is an outstanding talent to watch out for. Ronit Roy makes us wonder where he was for so many years and why he was wasting his amazing acting talent in Saas Bahu serials? Anand Tiwari and Manjyot Singh (last seen in Oye Lucky Lucky Oye) are very good. Ram Kapoor in his brief role is impressive and so is the kid Aayan Boradia.

Indian cinema is changing and it is because of talents like Motwane it is getting International acclaim. Just don’t miss Udaan if you want to experience what a world cinema experience is like.

Rockaholics Rating: 3.5 /5

Lafangey Parindey Music Review – R.Anandh

Anandh takes up rock and Indian’ness in equal measure with seasoned ease for the title song; Ronit’s lead vocals and the backing chorus are extremely effective. Mohit Chauhan’s Man lafanga is stuff of Vishal Bharadwaj’ish allure – breezy, guitary and delightful. With its folk-rock sound, Dhatad tatad is highly infectious, but it is Nain parindey that rules the soundtrack! Anandh’s tune is breathtaking and Shilpa’s vocals breathe life into it beautifully! Even the instrumental, Born to fly, is impactful, but Suraj Jagan’s Rang daalein takes its 80s pop/rock base too seriously and goes overboard. Welcome solo filmy debut by R.Anandh!

Note: Please stop wondering who R.Anandh is. He is one of the composing trio, AGOSH (Anandh, Gopal and Shaleen) who debuted in Malayalam, with Nirnayam. They went on to compose for films like Mazha peyyum mumbe (Malayalam), Shakti, Harischandra, Kodeeswaran (Tamil), Zor (Hindi) and Paisa (Indipop). And, I’m glad it took one adman-turned-film-maker (Pradeep Sarkar), to bring Anandh into films again. Anandh’s most popular composition is, of course, the Limca jingle!