Lion Audio Review

Movie: Lion ( లయన్ )
Producer: Rudrapati Ramana Rao
Cast: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Trisha Krishnan, Radhika Apte 
Direction: SatyaDev
Music: Manisharma

After roaring success with "Legend", Nandamuri Balakrishna is coming with "Lion" that is slated to be released in May 2015. He is using the same title in English though. Simha seems to be proven lucky to Balakrishna. Need to see whether it makes any difference if it is in English. This film is produced by Rudrapati Ramana Rao under SLV cinema banner. Nandamuri Balakrishna, Trisha, Radhika Apte are in the lead roles. The Movie is directed by debutante Satyadev. Music is handled by Mani Sharma.

The trailers shows yet another action movie from Balakrishna with heavy dialogs aimed at masses. "కొంతమంది కొడితే స్కానింగ్ లో కనపడుతుంది, కొంతమంది కొడితే xray లో కనపడుతుంది, నేను కొడితే హిస్టరీ లో కనపడుతుంది." , "నేను చెయ్యి చాచినప్పుడే షేక్ హ్యాండ్ ఇవ్వాలి చనువిచ్చా అని చంక ఎక్కితే చుట్టాలు చూడటానికి skeleton కూడా ఉండదు" and many more. These kind of dialogs will make his fans go crazy for sure and set the expectations. 

Manisharma who is limited to BGM only these days is providing music for this movie. He scored great BGM for Temper and SVSC. He made many to think why he is not getting chances than the mediocre music we hear these days. The Mass Melody Brahma has always been a perfect fit for Balakrishna Movies scoring roaring hits. The movie team should be appreciated for being confident on Manisharma and giving him another chance. He scored good music for his last movie "Basanti". However this didnt get noticed due to fate of the movie. Lets see if NBK, his fans got what they want from Manisharma the synonym for Mass Melody.

This album consists of 5 songs. Ramajogaiah and Bhaskarabhatla  has written two songs each and Sreemani wrote the other one. This proves that these songs will be out and out mass songs as the lyricists are known for that. The surprise in singers list comes as that Manisharma didn't use many of his standard singers, instead couple of new singers were given chance..

1. One and Only Lion

Singer(s): Rahul Sipligunj, Geeta Madhuri, Pranavi

Lyrics: Ramajogiah Sastry.

One male singer, two female singers. Nari Nari naduma murari in the song is a feast for Balakrishna fans. Two heroines with Lion(NBK) in between and a dance number what else can they ask for? Along with the Hero having confusion to whom he has to look and touch, the audience will have the same confusion regarding which side they have to take when two beauties call them. It will be double dhamaka. ( as per song ). Manisharma provided a template of the mass song from his earlier versions to be on safe side. The interludes appear as heard somewhere. Pranavi and Geeta Madhuri didnt sound right as a combo, even though they were good when heard individually. Rahul was perfect for the song providing right energy. This song is a safe start for Manisharma. Just to prove that he is not out of touch for mass songs.

2. Aakasam

Singer(s): Vijay Prakash, Pranavi, Srinivas Sharma

Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla Ravi Kumar.

Manisharma trademark song. The female singers sounded very well in the start of the song when they said Dol Baaje. Manisharma provided a beautiful song that he is known for. His instrumentation is good, the rhythm suited well. Vijay Prakash, Srinivas sharma sounded different at different times in the song, not that it is an issue, but consistent voice could have been better. Second interlude mixing khawali, hindustani was a good fit in the song. Bhaskarbhatla wrote a template song for this type of song nothing significant to note. Overall a feel good song. This will for sure click on the screen too, given NBK 's screen presence.

3. Pilla ( super )

Singer(s): Simha Sudhamayi

Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla Ravikumar

This song is perfect proof of what Manisharma is about. Perfect mass song. This song cannot get any better even though made from modification of yesteryear song. Sudhamayi sounded far better than Simha, who had to struggle at high pitches. But he provided the required energy in the song. Aptly singing in right places. He tried to sing like North Indian singer though. Bhaskarabhatla I guess has written this song within no time as it meets his skill set. Masses will embrace this song very well and of NBK provides his usual stuff, sky is limit.

4. Aisa Ambani Pilla

Singer(s): Sweekar Agasthi, Uma Neha

Lyrics: Sreemani

Yet another Manisharma trademark mass song that moves everyone and make them enjoy. Even though the song is not a refreshing tune, with the auto tuners and electronic sounds that have become songs, this song will be refreshing in that front as being different. Violin is a favorite instrument for many music directors including Manisharma. Sreemani is latest song writer, so he uses router/wi-fi in the song. The tune that accompanies "Aisa" is cool to listen. 

5. Anaganaga

Singer(s):Madhu Balakrishnan

Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

This song stands tall in term of composition, lyrics and singing in this album. This song is what is Manisharma about. A perfect melody with mass elements. Ramajogaiah after a long time writes a song with minimal foreign to Telugu words (except for chorus). This song is about Krishna, obviously the Bala Krishna. Jai Jai krishna Govinda Hare, Radhe priya gopala hare. is fantastic trademark of Manisharma. He reminds the song from Okkade, though there is no relation to these songs. Just the composer piece. Second interlude sound a little different, not sure what was the problem. Madhu Balakrishnan if we can ignore couple of places did fantastic in this song. This song is instant winner. Not sure how this will be picturized in the movie, but I am sure its going to be a feast for fans. Atleast music lovers will have fun until then.

Pick(s) of the album: Anaganaga, Aisa Ambani Pilla, Pilla(super). 

The rest of the two songs are for Manisharma and NBK fans.

This movie misses couple of powerful songs, or ferocious songs, Goes slow and provides perfect feast for masses. One melody and rest being mass songs, perfect fit for Balakrishna and his fans. Manisharma with every album he gets proves he is not supposed to be forgotten. An out and out mass album with a melody, fans cannot ask more. Manisharma kept his trademark songs intact and provided what exactly is required for the movie. He rocks in BGM anyways, so he has done his part for this movie. Now the rest depends upon the movie director and NBK to see where the movie goes. Getting this type of music itself is hard now a days, other wise music lovers will demand more from Manisharma. Since he himself is getting chances very rare, this would be more than enough for his fans until his next movie comes. They can hear to this album again and again, no issues with that.