Movie: Gautamiputra Satakarni ( గౌతమి పుత్ర శాతకర్ణి )
Producer(s): Bibo Srinivas (Presenter), Saibabu Jagarlamudi, Y. Rajeev Reddy, Suhasini Panguluri
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Shriya Saran
Direction: Krish Jagarlamudi
Music: Chirantan Bhat
Marked as milestone movie of Balakrishna, the 100th movie, when was announced as a historic movie, I am sure his fans were confused why their hero chose this subject. As things unfolded, they were completely satisfied and now very much into the movie and expecting this to fare well in the Sankranti race. Everything from the movie announcement to the invitation cards even the audio release invitation was completely different. Krish maintained every name is followed by their mother's name. This was widely appreciated by everyone.
Initially DSP was thought to be the music director but after considering other choices that include Ilayaraja, Keeravani, Krish stuck with Chirantan Bhat who composed for his earlier movie. This gave mixed reaction from everyone, so Krish had an additional responsibility to prove everyone that he made a right choice. So far the teasers and trailers proved that he is in line with his choice.
As usual Krish did not deviate from Sirivennela garu for lyrics department, where he wrote 4 out of 5 songs. One song went to Sai Madhav. SPB sang one song and surprisingly Udit Narayan is brought back when he is almost forgotten. Shreya Ghosal got to sing 2 songs and rest are filled accordingly.
Satakarni is an unheard name for most of Telugu audience as history tells he is one of the Saalivahana king. When there is not much historic information is not available and not very popular, bringing this story on to screen as 100th movie of Balakrishna is a huge risk that Krish has took. With Graphics at peak already with Telugu Audience, anything less met will not help the movie. Krish sure, is a sincere film maker with passion and the expectations are he would do justice to the movie as well as milestone of NBK. Lets see how songs helped the movie.
1. Song: Ekimeedaa
Singer(s): Udit Narayan,Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Seetarama Sastry
When authentic Telugu words are disappearing from Telugu film songs and replaced with Hinglish words, Sirivennela garu chooses to start a song with the word which 99% of current Telugu audience might have no clue about what it is. It takes only the likes of Sirivennela garu to use such words like "Ekimeeda" (king) in a historic movie which makes perfect sense. Hats off to Krish who stuck with Sirivennela garu for all critical songs.
Chirantan Bhat provides a beautiful melody, the words by Sirivennela garu are perfect, the chorus is good, the rhythm is fine and overall it leaves a good feeling. This is a good start for the album which is already creating all positive vibes so far. A historic movie this kind of song is mandatory and this will pass out with flying colors. This song will takes us back to one of the good old movies of such types.
The following is for extreme music lovers, rest can ignore as this is something that few people like me feel it always when we hear a good song, but when it comes with a pinch of salt added to the sweetness.
Then comes that this is perfect example of what will happen to a very good song that goes could have been better with a better choice of singers. There is no doubt that both are excellent singers with great voices, but I personally feel they dont fit to these type of songs. Udit's voice didn't suit at few words and Shreya's was delicately shriek at some times which didn't help the song at all. People who like these singers and their voice will for sure enjoy the song.
2. Song: Gana Gana Gana
Singer(s): Simha,Anand Bhaskar,Vamsi
Lyricist: Seetarama Sastry
Chirantan Bhat continues the album with yet another good song. This is indeed another better song. Once again Sirivennela gari words are a feast. The singers are better in this song and there is energy, the flow and great emotion added. The interludes are good. The mood for war is brought in. However this song reminds couple of songs. Singers did justice to the words which is good to hear. This will leave audience to get ready for the situation in the movie.
3. Song: Mrignayanaa
Singer(s): S.P. Balasubrahmanyam,Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Seetarama Sastry
Seetaramasastry garu proves for nth time why is the superior lyric writer and why he is the last of that sorts in Telugu Film Industry. This lyric is one such example of his lyrical prowess. SPB singing once again is fantastic. Shreya was weak link in this song, she still doesn't get the accent, pronunciation right even after singing for more than decade in Telugu and words are not clear either. Chirantan Bhat provides a good song, the lyrics add to it. Made in a different style is for sure a good duet for the lead pair. When every chorus is getting listed in the album, the singer who started this song is left out not sure why? Phrase మృగనయనా భయమేలనే is good to hear. Song making in classic style never fails. Chirantan Bhat is on a flow in this album. There is nothing stopping I guess. He got the right platform to show his talent and used it to his best.
4. Song: Saaho Saarvabowma Saaho
Singer(s): Vijayprakash,Keerti Sagathiya
Lyricist: Seetarama Sastry
A movie related to story of historic king will need atleast one powerful song that helps director to elevate the character. This will need great help from lyrics, background score, tune, singers and the mood. Probably this has everything. The Chorus was very powerful, but the lead singer voice could have been more powerful to sync along with others. Having said that this will not appear as a limitation given the chorus and orchestra will take the song to a different level. For sure on screen this will be a visual treat. Sirivennela's words and the pattern is just fantastic. Bahuparaak ...
5. Song: Singhamu Pai Langhinchenu (Kadhaa Gaanam)
Singer(s): Vijayprakash
Lyricist: Sai Madhav
As title mentions this is Story of Satakarni made in a song? పట్టాభిషిక్తిలు, సుక్తులు , ఇష్టా సఖి issues like these will be unnoticed I guess. The story narration in the form of the song is fine. The story brings in some anxiety on Satakarni.
Pick(s) of the album: Mruganayana, GanaGana, Ekimeeda, Saaho.
The narrative song is for more on-screen so didnt add to the list. Chirantan Bhat gave a good album which is perfect fit for the historic movie. Ekimeeda was a beautiful melody with some great words from Sirivennela garu. If not for Udit and Shreya, this would have been one of the best in recent times. Mruganayana is feast for the words as is Saaho. Gana Gana can be heard for the overall energy of the song. Kadhaa Gaanam just suits where it belongs to. Krish comes out with flying colors in the audio department and now its time for on-screen test. Hope he does good and make Balakrishna's 100th movie memorable one to Telugu Audience. All the best for the team
