Movie: Yevade Subrahmanyam ( ఎవడే సుబ్రహ్మణ్యం )
Music: Radhan ( రధన్ )Director: Nag Ashwin ( Nagi )Producer(s): Swapna and Priyanka Dutt ( Vyjayanti Banner )
Cast: Nani, Malavika Nair, Vijay Deverakonda and Ritu Varma
After an year of oblivion, Nani suddenly comes during the Festival time with a fantastic onscreen surprise in the name of "Yevade Subrahmanyam". This title seems to be an inspiration from a song from Sidharth's movie KIKK ( Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam). Looking at the visuals of the trailer, first time everyone felt that wow factor in the movie and the trailer not only created the curiosity for the film but also ensured that everyone to plan to watch the movie in theaters, probably during the initial days of release. The reason is the question trailer has put forward "How far will you go in friendship and love, from the top of the world". The top of the world being Himalayas which has stunning visuals which very few has seen with their eyes.
Nani during Audio release mentioned all the difficulties that the first team of 30-40 cast and crew members had gone through during the 40 day stay in Himalayas for the shoot. This indeed a magnificent achievement by itself, but their hard work will make justice only if it is really justified in the story and audience embrace it, giving them a huge success. Director Nagi an assistant to Shekar Kammula for Leader and LIB is completely different in his thought process and is commendable for taking a different path for the first movie itself. He should be lucky that he good the producers, cast, crew that supported him so much. So he obviously has to do it right so that his future in the industry is secured.
Rathan the music director for the movie has earlier worked for Andaala Rakshasi. His first album was very impressive except for few issues which these days music director had. He being an ardent follower for AR Rahman, transformed himself from a sound engineer to Music director, again with the encouragement of ARR. He got this prestigious project which he should utilize to the maximum to go forward in the industry. This movie comes with a theme in the form of "Who are you", and music should match and represent the theme and the grandeur of Himalayas. Looking at the lyricists, we can tell that there are 2 class songs or lyric based songs ( Ananth Sriram ), 3 mass songs or youth targeted songs ( Ramajogaiah) and one lying somewhere in between (Vasishta Sharma). The issue with the singers lists is that it creates doubt whether they did justice to the songs.
1. "Idhera"
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Mohit Chauhan
This song after an excellent start is the biggest turn off I had in recent times. Expected a lot from Radhan, but this song put me into a false start. The song as such doesn't appear as bad song, but the singing does. This song is termed as favorite song of the movie team. Not sure why Radhan chose bad singer for a good tune he composed. This song has ARRish influence, but not sure why he chose to kill his song himself. I am having greatest issues with the recent film makers for killing songs as they like. Mohit is not a right fit for this song at all. Music has no barriers but song has as it has lyrics which have to be said right and sung with right energy levels. Else the song is garbage and can be thrown in trashcan how better it is composed, how well it is written or how good it is orchestrated.
2. "O Kala"
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram
Singer(s): Harini
Ananth Sriram has to be commended for sticking to his standards like his guru. The name tells us what to expect and he makes us comfortable. Radhan should understand how Harini makes the difference to song compared to Mohit Chauhan. He gives good tune again, but with a better singer there by we tend to like this song. Ananth Sriram adds life to this song. When one is capable of doing better not sure why they tend to chose wrong path? Rathan should realize the having a different voice to a song doesn't make the song different. A good melody which appears the ears. Harini has done well.
3. "Beautiful Zindagi"
Lyrics: Vasishta Sharma
Singer(s): Nikhita Gandhi
Vasishta Sharma made entry in this album with his song though reminds RJS, made his impression with decent lyrics. Radhan changes gear and choses periodic path, which is peppy, foot tapping and energetic. Seems like this song starts in some traffic and probably an introduction song to heroine?? Movie will tell the situation. There are some extra expressions which might have been avoided to make this song more appealing. Yet another well made song, since it is old type of tunes, reminds few other songs here and there.
4. "Nuvvu Nuvvu Kadhu"
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Ranjith, Ramy
The audio release was run with the theme "Who are you". RJS has written his standard lyrics. This song is kind of reviewing what it is told in trailer that lead actor who is going to head of a million dollar company, trying to be best in everything, but kind of soul searching who is he. Radhan does yet another energetic number this time for the male lead. This song is more dependent on situations on the screen. So I guess meets the requirement. Radhan gives what is demanded.
Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry
Singer(s): Ramy
The song proves when a non-Telugu person composes a Telugu song what will happen to the song. There can be a Telugu Song, English song, Hindi song, can have a mix of all three words in a song. But cannot have Telugu word sung in Hindi, Hindi Sung in English, English sung in Telugu. Each language has its own flavor and it has to be met. Else it will be a non sense kichidi and this is perfect example for that. Latest Singers and Music directors are not getting this. A short bit song, with title of the movie, so this will be fine.
6. "Challa Gaali Thakuthunna"
Lyrics: Ananth Sriram
Singer(s): Senthil, Rihitha
During audio release the anchor said that impressed by the movie, Ilayaraja has composed a song for the movie, which is pretty much incorrect. This song was originally composed by Ilayaraja for the Tamil movie "Avataram" starring Nazar and Revathi. Sung and composed by Ilayaraja stands as one of the top 10 best compositions of Raja Sir. This song might have been used in this album.
One can listen and go to trans any number of times listening to that song called Thendral Vanthu Theendum Pothu. One can visualize this song just listening to it. Thats the power of this composition.
Out of many reasons for this song to be classic, the beyond imagination brilliant composition, the instrumentation, soul stirring singing by Raja and Janaki, the situation in the movie where Nazar is asked by Revathy to see the world thru her eyes, thru this song, the tune matching that situation, fantastic visuals and superb action.
Having this song in this album is a great achievement for the team. Having said all these, the lyrics have to be beyond best and singing should be the perfect, else this will go in drain.
You cannot do wrong to such classic compositions else it would be an insult to the original. The inexperienced singers and their Telugu pronunciation made the unwarranted insult to the tune. There is no soul, singers mispronouncing the words wake us up again and again when the tune kind of puts us in trans. This is the biggest problem with this Telugu version. I don't want to list the numerous issues with pronunciation of words which are not acceptable to this type of tune.
Not sure whether Radhan improvised this song or it was Ilayaraja who remade this song? If he couldn't get good singers, then its the biggest problem for music industry in Telugu which has to be fixed right away. For those who didn't hear this song earlier, will fall in love instantly, but for those who enjoyed the original can easily skip the song. Ananth Sriram has done excellent job giving sensible lyrics.
Pick(s) of the album: O Kala, Beautiful Zindagi, Nuvvu Nuvu, Challa gaali ( first time listeners )
In my earlier review for Andaala Rakshasi, I told that Radhan is a good talent, but he need to fix few issues if he needs to go places. The feedback was that he needs to carefully select singers, take care of language he is working in, and needs to be consistent, if he desires to be in this field for long term. He still has the very same issues except for being consistent. He is very good talent no doubt, gave more than what this movie demands. Need to see how the movie fares after such grand visuals of Himalayas, the expectations are Himalayas High. All the best for Nani and entire team. Hope their hard work pays off.
