"Tu Hi Mera, Mera, Mera ..." Jannat 2 Music Review

Song: Tu Hi Mera
Film: Jannat 2
Playback Singer: Shafqat Amanat Ali
Composer: Pritam

It's here, it's here!!!! The most awaited music album of the year (in my opinion)! The Jannat 2 music album has just been released and...

Tu Hi Mera: This song's promo has already been making the rounds, and I already love it. Emraan Hashmi has stated that Tu Hi Mera is the "Zara Sa" of Jannat 2. I don't love Tu Hi Mera as much as Zara Sa (can anything really beat Zara Sa?), but it's a great song. I also like Shafqat Amanat Ali's voice for Emraan Hashmi, it's a nice change from the usual.
Tera Deedar Hua: An alright 'qawwali' number by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, though I don't think it really belongs within the rest of the songs in the album. I feel Rahat's voice in this song is too high pitched for an album such as Jannat 2, and this song sounds more like a Salman Khan/Dabangg song rather than a Emraan Hashmi song. But we'll see how its picturized in the actual film to see if it truly fits in the story as well. Listen to Tera Deedar Hua
Tujhe Sochta Hoon: The first K.K. song in the album, it has the distinct K.K. touch of "aahaa aahaa aahaa" which is definitely welcome in a Pritam-Emraan Hashmi-Bhatt brothers album! However, the song has a darker touch, with K.K. providing a different feel with his voice than his usual songs. It's actually similar to Phir Mohabbat (Murder 2) in terms of the overall tone of the song. Definitely a fitting song for the album! Listen to Tujhe Sochta Hoon
Rab Ka Shukrana: This song, sung by Mohit Chouhan, has a slow, haunting melody that fits the "requirements" of a typical Bhatt brothers/Emraan Hashmi song. It's nothing extraordinary, but I like it, especially since Mohit Chouhan is at the mike! Listen to Rab Ka Shukrana
Jannatein Kahan: Played in the background of the teaser trailer, this is the song dedicated to the lilting "wooo ohhhh ohhhh" in the original Zara Sa. Although some people may accuse Pritam of being unoriginal in his music and taking his tunes from previous albums, I honestly LOVED this song (sung by K.K.) the first time I heard it in the teaser, enough to the point that I would only watch the last 30 seconds of the teaser to listen to it. And I love the sounds of the police sirens and weapons in the song because it matches the theme of the movie (Jannat 2 is about the illegal arms trade in Delhi). However, I could do without the random English rapping in the middle of the song. I'm not sure why Bollywood music directors insist on putting rap in their songs. K.K.'s amazing voice makes up for it though! Listen to Jannatein Kahan
Sang Hoon Tere: Practically the same as Tujhe Sochta Hoon, but with Nikhil D'Souza seemingly trying to sound like K.K., and doing alright, but not too great. I don't think this version was necessary for the album, since it doesn't provide much of a difference from Tujhe Sochta Hoon. I really enjoyed Nikhil D'Souza's voice for Emraan in Mere Bina (Crook) and I wish he would've gotten an original song of his own in this album, rather than the 'reprise' versions of K.K.'s songs. Listen to Sang Hoon Tere
Jannatein Kahan (Power Ballad): This version, sung instead by Nikhil D'Souza, sounds more like Zara Sa, as far as the music goes. It doesn't have the thematic elements of the K.K. version, and it regretfully doesn't have K.K.'s voice either. I don't know what Pritam was thinking when he put in Nikhil D'Souza for this song; I don't think anyone besides K.K. can sing in any song related to Zara Sa! This song pales in comparison to the original Jannatein Kahan. Listen to Jannatein Kahan (Power Ballad)
Tera Deedar Hua (From the Heart): Sung by Javed Ali, this version is a little better with the rest of the album than the Rahat version; however, we still have to see how it will be used in the movie (if it is played in the film). Hopefully, they will use From the Heart in the movie rather than the original Tera Deedar Hua by Rahat! Listen to Tera Deedar Hua (From the Heart)
Rab Ka Shukrana (Reprise): Pretty much what the title says- a reprise of the first Rab Ka Shukrana. I don't think it's too great, especially since instead of Mohit Chouhan singing, its Anupam Amod. This version is a little more upbeat than Mohit's rendition, so some people may like the reprise better than the original. Listen to Rab Ka Shukrana (Reprise)


Overall, I think the Jannat 2 album is pretty good... 3.5 out of 5 stars...definitely not as good as the Jannat album, but I love that Pritam used some inspiration from the original. This album could've been a lot better if they didn't have reprise versions for almost every song; this time around, the reprise versions weren't worth the extra tracks. My favorites were definitely Tu Hi Mera and Jannatein Kahan- they definitely carry the essence of Jannat!

Please comment and provide your opinions on the new Jannat 2 album!

"Kitne Zamane Baad O Rabba, Yaad Tu Aaya, Yaad Tu Aaya. . ." Jannat 2 Trailer!

Song: Judai

Film: Jannat

Playback Singer: Karman Ahmed

Composer: Pritam

Emraan Hashmi is back with his next solo film!!! I like to (lovingly) call Emraan Hashmi 'Monkey Boy' because the first time I saw him, I thought he looked like a monkey (that was when I didn't like him as an actor too much). So if I ever say 'Monkey Boy', I'm referring to Emraan Hashmi. Anyway, here's the Jannat 2 Teaser Trailer!!!

After a very long time (kitne zamane baad!), the Bhatt brothers finally released the Jannat 2 trailer. The trailer's looking alright, though I'm really liking Monkey Boy's haircut and new look. I have no idea who the actress is, but then again, does anyone ever know who the actresses are in most of his movies? But...I'm most excited about the music release! I totally love all Monkey Boy music (who doesn't?) and I'm pretty sure that out of all his movies, Jannat has had the best music. So I'm definitely glad that Pritam is back with the music because I'm sure he would never fail the Bhatt brothers when it comes to music. I already love the revamped  Zara Se that they played in the trailer; it sounds more like heaven than the first one!

Anyway, let me know your thoughts on the new Jannat 2 Teaser!

"Tu Humsafar Hai, Phir Kya Fikar Hai ..." Raabta

Song: Raabta

Film: Agent Vinod

Playback Singers: Arijit Singh

Composer: Pritam

Does anyone else love this song a whole lot??? The title of this post correctly describes my feelings toward this song- it's such a breath of fresh air with a light-hearted attitude, and no fikar or worry. And there are four different versions of the song (all amazing!): Siyaah Raatein, Night in a Motel, Kehte Hain Khuda Ne, and Raabta, all sang by Arijit Singh with alternating female singers Hamsika and Shreya Ghoshal (listen to the songs here on the Bollywood Hungama Jukebox). My personal favorite is Raabta, though the other three are equally likeable. And the lyrics are cute and a little cheesy (thanks Amitabh Bhattacharya!), but Bollywood would never be Bollywood without the cheesy-ness. 

The only thing I don't love in regards to this song is the video. I mean, why do they have to put the lyrics as if it's a karaoke video when we can already hear the lyrics? And why aren't they consistent and put the lyrics throughout the entire thing instead of just the first 30 seconds? I know it's just a promotional video and it won't be in the movie with karaoke-type lyrics, but it's still weird. Kareena, however, is looking more gorgeous in every film she does, while Saif hasn't looked good since Hum Tum (in my opinion).

Anyway, I'm glad Pritam is back with Raabta as one of his trademark love songs (his last songs I liked this much were Pee Loon and Tum Jo Aaye from Once Upon A Time in Mumbai). As far as the rest of the Agent Vinod songs, I like I'll Do the Talking Tonight and Dil Mera Muft Ka, while the Pungi and the Agent Vinod Theme are forgettable.

Please do let me know what you think by commenting or offering suggestions!!!

"Yeh Jalwa, Yeh Jalwa, Fashion Ka Hai Yeh Jalwa ..."

Song: Fashion Ka Jalwa
Film: Fashion
Playback Singers: Sukhwinder Singh, Satya Hinduja & Robert Bob Omulo
Composer: Salim-Sulaiman

Many actresses are showing their new jalwa, style, and talent in movies of recent years, and since Vidya Balan's Kahaani (!!!) is releasing tomorrow (coincidentally the day after International Women's Day) I figured a post about the new influx of successful women-oriented films in the Bollywood film industry would be appropriate. Here are the three actresses who I believe have the potential to compete with the Khans, the Roshans, the Kapoors, and all other actors who have been traditionally dominating successful Bollywood movies.

Vidya Balan

• Balan's No One Killed Jessica, although partnered with Rani Mukherji, shot her into the limelight of women-oriented films, proving that she could bring critical acclaim and commercial success.
• Later that year, she came with the superhit The Dirty Picture, which not only earned her the National Film Award for Best Actress, but a film with raving reviews and commercial success. With this film, Vidya Balan sealed the deal with her status as an actress who could stand alone.
• She continues her women-oriented films with Kahaani, and hopefully Kahaani will make a trio for Vidya Balan, critically and commercially!

Priyanka Chopra

• Although not a woman-oriented film, Priyanka Chopra's role in Aitraaz as a seducing villain proved that she could do more than just the sweet or glamorous roles that most actresses played at that time. She also earned the Filmfare Award that year for Best Villain, an award only one other actress has received in its history.
• Piggy Chops really proved her worth in Madhur Bhandarkar's Fashion through her act of an innocent small town girl who evolved into an arrogant supermodel. Fashion was one of the first women-oriented films that was commercially successful, and Priyanka Chopra's work earned her the critical acclaim of the National Film Award for Best Actress.
• Priyanka's early 2011 film, 7 Khoon Maaf, although not commercially successful, added onto her list of accolades. She was effectively convincing in the film with each of husbands, as well as her aging appearance throughout the movie.

Kareena Kapoor

• In her early career, Kareena's film Chameli launched her to critical success. Although Chameli wasn't a commercial success, Kareena's act as a street smart prostitute is still remembered today, and this woman-oriented film is recognized as the turning point in her career.
• In Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met (one of my favorites movies!), although sharing equal screen space with Shahid Kapoor, Kareena shined as the bubbly character of Geet, and her Filmfare-worthy performance proved to be one of the main factors that carried the film to an unexpected success.
• Madhur Bhandarkar's latest flick, Heroine, set to release in late 2012, will be starring Kareena Kapoor in the lead role, and it will be quite interesting to if she can continue her current reign over Bollywood with Bhandarkar's realistic cinema!

In my opinion, these three actresses have had the greatest success with the new trend of contemporary, women-oriented films. Will they become like the three Superstar Khans (Aamir, Shahrukh, & Salman), whose success is unattainable by others? Only time (and good scripts) will tell, but I don't think anyone can beat Aamir Khan (he's my Khan of all seasons). 

Special mention to Kangna Ranaut and Konkona Sen Sharma who have done a fantastic job in breaking the stereotypical actress role with path-breaking films. Hopefully, they will be more commercially successful in the future!

Please comment and share your thoughts!

"Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh, Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam ..."

Song: Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh
Film: Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
Playback Singer: Lata Mangeshkar
Composer: Shankar Jaikishan

Hello Bollyphiles!


After a hiatus of over a month, I have come with a new post! Since the Bollywood world is a little quiet these days, I figured I would share some information that I just recently learned, and that I found to be very interesting. So, I am currently reading the book Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (I haven't finished the book yet, but I would recommend reading it from what I have read so far), and reading this book led me to look up some information about it. This led me to another great American novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (these two books are often associated), which led me to this link of the newest film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, releasing in 2012:


The Great Gatsby (2012) (see the cast list)

Yes, that's right! Bollywood's very own Amitabh Bachchan will be starring in a Hollywood movie, and that too, with the Leonardo DiCaprio!!! Hopefully his role will be longer than Anil Kapoor's in Mission Impossible-Ghost Protocol.


The progression in which I found this news kept me thinking about how my curiosity started at a classic American novel, and ended at a seventy-year old Bollywood superstar. Perhaps the lyrics to the famous 60's song are true: kahan shuru, kahan khatam. We may not know where our countless 'dastans' or stories will take us; however, after this dastan of mine, I have a new conception: Everything in life leads back to Bollywood.


On that note, I'm going to go listen to the new Agent Vinod songs! Please comment and leave suggestions and/or opinions!