Dhoni is an upcoming Tamil/Telugu sports drama film written and directed by Prakash Raj. The film cast is Akash Puri and Radhika Apte, along with Prakash Raj. The film is about the conflict of interests of a father and his son; the father wants his son to study MBA, but his son is more interested in sports and wants to become a famous cricketer like Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
An inspirational movie with Sirivennela seetaramasastry as a single lyricists, Ilayaraja as music director and SPB singing a song will raise the bar so high that the music lovers will eagerly try to embrace the album. With all these positives, did the music meets the expectations? Did Ilayaraja provide musical feast? Did Sirivennela provide the lyrics that are expected?
This movie has 5 songs. However one song has male and female versions reducing the songs count to 4. This shows the formula of the movies of 6 and more is not followed and the songs are more kind of situational. Except one song all 4 song are sung by single singers.
Now lets look at the songs.
Endaaka Nee Payanam (M)
Artist(s): Sathyan
Lyricist: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Typical Ilayaraja start of the song. Excellent chorus, the violins mesmerizes. Ilayaraja and chorus are unbeatable combinations. The flow between chorus and violin is marvellous. The soothing music and then the singer starting the song is fabulous. Sirivennela infuses thoughtful words to bring ths song to a different level. His thoughts are like gaalipatam, goes wherever he wants as long as it is controlled by him. In other review I was talking about how a melody should sound, it goes the way it is defined, Singer gets the focus and the music takes on when the singer stops. Perfect interludes for the song and when the singer takes control back, they silence off. How these words comes to Sirivennela's mind? తనకి ఉన్న తోడొక్కటే సన్ననైన ఓ దారం, నమ్ముకున్న అది తెగితే ఏది ఆధారం, ఏనాడూ కంచికి చెరక తిరిగే కథలా. The singer brings the emotion with his singing and his unique voice is apt for this song. The only issue is that when saying payanam, gaali patam he sounded tamil. Also ఆకారం has become ఆ కారం with a slight gap in between. This song will leave a mark to listeners.
Mattiloni Chettu
Artist(s): SP. Balasubramaniam
Lyricist: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
All the new age singers should listen to this song and learn on how to render a song. The way SPB carries the song effortlessly and brings in variations, expressions, energy and enthusiasm is unmatchable. He makes the song so pleasant that this song disappoints us that it is over so soon. Wish it has one more stanza. Ilayaraja could have done this type of song many times before but this songs still looks as fresh as one can imagine. Ilayaraja's guitar cannot sound any better than this. SPB and Guitar go hand in hand and a feast to hear. Simple orchestration, but does get the entire effect. Rhythm does bring the needed effect on the song. Yet another song that remains haunting us to keep us humming. Sirivennela again writes yet another song perfectly.
Endaaka Nee Payanam (F)
Artist(s): Surmukhi
Lyricist: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry Artist(s): Surmukhi
Female version of earlier song sung by Sathyan. She exactly delivers what is needed. Both versions compete each other but the result is same, we will want to hear again for the content, tunes and singing.
Gayam Tagili
Artist(s): Illayaraja
Lyricist: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry
Typically I will not appreciate any Music director singing himself any song. Ilayaraja had sung many songs which I like, and many songs I dont like, Sometimes I dont like the telugu he sings, but not much to complain about this song. This song did suit Ilayaraja. Sirivennela brings yet another meaningful lyrics for this song. Ilayaraja sings exactly what is required for this song and his voice brings special effect on the song. Ilayaraja is master to tune this type of songs and he does effortlessly.
Chitti Chitti Adugaa
Artist(s): Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal
Lyricist: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry Artist(s): Naresh Iyer, Shreya Ghoshal
Not sure why Shreya Ghosal is hyped so much and given so many chances in Telugu. How great her voice is doesnt matter, she cannot sound Telugu and cannot sing Telugu, Inspite of singing past more than 6-7 years, she still doesnt sound Telugu. Its better for Telugu sake, somebody stop her singing telugu songs, though it might sound too harsh. She single handedly ruined many songs, and she does the same again,
Ilayaraja tunes are fantastic but atleast Naresh Iyer should have got more chance and Shreya ghosal could have been limited to chorus or one or two lines repeating Naresh. Alas!!!! this song is ruined.
Pick(s) of the Album: Mattiloni Chettu, Endaaka Nee payanam(both versions), Gaayam tagili
The songs of this movie are not regular commercial songs. These songs will not appeal the masses. These are for Ilayaraja fans and Seetaramastry's fans as they steal the show for this album. Aso those who has an ear to soft and slow melodies(music). This songs will definetely help the movie to carry the emotions in the situations and elevate the scenes to a new level. This kind of music has been the core strength of Ilayaraja and he does it again for nth number of time. Sirivennela maintains his standards of lyrics.