Gentleman Audio Review

Movie: Gentleman (జెంటిల్ మాన్ )
Producer(s): Sivalanka  Krishna Prasad
Cast: Nani, Niveda Thomas, Surabhi, Srinivas Avasarala
Direction/Screenplay: Mohankrishna Indraganti
Music: Mani Sharma

Nani's latest offering after different subject movies poses a question to audience whether he is a Hero or Villain in this movie called "Gentleman". Pairing up with Mohan Krishna Indraganti the person who introduced Nani to Telugu film industry in 2007, coming up with such a question is quite interesting. Nani lately has been consistent at box office with not only variety of subjects, but with his performance at box office. Nani/MohanKrishna's combination will sure raise expectations. 

Nain is supported with two female leads, Niveda Thomas and Surabhi along with anchor turned movie artist Srimukhi playing an important role. Srinivas Avasarala has good rapport with the director and Nani that for sure he will be an asset in this film. Story is written by David Natha, and the screen play is written by Indraganti himself. 

Mohan krishna Indraganti has a unique style of film making and his movie has shown consistent quality of music too. His movies have different flavor of music that is quite evident in his past movies. He has good taste for lyrics too. He has been working with kalyan Koduri so far, however this time with permission of Kalyan koduri, did work with Manisharma who is these days either limited to Re-recording or almost forgotten. This is for sure a surprise element for Manisharma's fans. There are very few directors in Telugu Industry who has limited usage of other languages in songs in their movies. Mohan krishna is one of them. He also doesn't follow 6 song pattern in this movie that has only 4 songs. Ramajogaiah Sastry wrote one, Krishna kanth wrote two and Sirivennela gets to write the other song. Movie that started in December 2015 is slated to release on 17th June. Thats pretty quick by all means. 

1, GusaGusalade

Singer(s): Karthik, Pranavi

Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

Manisharma starts where he left off last time. Mass melody Brahma Manisharma starts the album with a nice melody, that starts good, A simple Manisharma mark melody. However felt that Pranavi's voice was weak, feeble didn't match karthik's voice at few places and starting. A strong start could have made this song much better. But Karthik and Manisharma covers up that issue. The way "Alajadi" is said and the rhythm accompanying that is good. RJ Sastry comes up with good lyrics that is in sync with tune shedding out his usual multilingual style. Overall a feel good song provided by the team.

2. Dintaka Dintaka

Singer(s): rahul Sipligunj, Uma Neha

Lyrics: Krishna Kanth

This time Manisharma decides to play it safe by taking a tune from his standard type of songs. "ee pille neeku dintaku dintaku, matladakunda jantaku raa", sums it all about the song. Rahul who had singing issues in Brahmotsavam did better in this song. Uma had no major issues. This song reminds Manisharma's old songs in interludes and lacks freshness. Since it involves group of people, this song should work on-screen. 

3. Chali gaali Chooddu

Haricharan, Malavika (US) Padmalatha

Lyrics: Sirivennela Seetaramasatry

Manisharma and Sirivennela did a wonderful job, but felt that singers didn't do justice to the song. Chooddu, is not said well which took off the flavor from the reason why it is written. Yet another good melody provided by Manisharma. As rightly said during audio release these these kind of melodies are becoming rare these days. A very feel good pleasant song with lyrics completely written in Telugu. A typical Mohan krishna Indraganti trade mark song, made exclusively for him. As usual Sirivennela weaves words thru. Some words are tuned to enhance the feel of the words. This is where Manisharma gives his Midas touch. There are minor issues with singers but they get buried under the melody. Good singers would have for sure elevated this song to next level. Having said that this is a very well composed melody that will keep haunting. Its been a while we would have heard this type of song. Manisharma and Sirivennela along with Mohan Krishna provides us a good song to cherish for quite some time. 

4. Saturday night fever

Singer(s): Narendra, Maneesha

Lyrics: Krishnakanth

Saturday night fever song is a situational song probably demanded by Script. Wouldnt see this type of songs quite commonly from Indraganti. Narendra during audio release thanked for giving opportunity, has utilized the opportunity. All he need to do is not create any issues with basic stuff and he does fine. Maneesha too did her job as required. Krishna kanth just provides what is required. Overall nothing much to say as Manisharma for sure has done umpteen songs like this.

Pick(s) of the album: Chali gaali chooddu, gusagusalaade. 

Indraganti Mohan krishna has been branded as intelligent director. His sensible movies and stories he picks, the music in his movies are examples of that. He provides clean entertainment and his songs have a particular style mostly in Telugu having very few issues from songs perspective be it lyrics or singing . In this movie too he made sure there were minimum issues with songs, then songs match his style and provided a beautiful melody in the name of "chali gaali chooddu". Having 4 songs in the album, he limited the capability of music to provide ample support, but two melodies are good enough for this album to support him well enough. Manisharma on the other hand keeps reminding that he is still there to help Telugu Film Music. Providing a song that stands out from a written off composer is something that needs to be noted by the movie makers. Most of the time music lovers do ask atleast one song per album that they can cherish, and this album provides that. 2 routine songs with 2 melodies is pretty easy to handle. 

Brahmotsavam Audio Review

Movie: Brahmotsavam (బ్రహ్మోత్సవం)
Producer(s): Prasad V. Potluri, Mahesh Babu 
Cast: Mahesh Babu, Samantha, Kajal Agarwal, Pranitha
Direction/Story: Srikanth Addala
Music: Mickey J Meyer

After SVSC, Mahesh and Srikanth Addala working together has created huge expectations with family audience as the teasers, bits, song released talk very high about the movie. This movie also boasts of so many actors being part of this movie. Srikanth Addala known for family oriented movies with family traditions and values, continues the same concept with this movie too as the key message of this movie is that when people get togather its utsavam and with many family members get together its brahmotsavam. The song released so far depict the same message. Mahesh is have three female leads is something thats  tells about this movie. There are so many senior actors who are named in this film. With so much heavy casting it will be a huge challenge for Srikanth Addala who wrote the story himself to create relevant characters in the movie and the screen play would be so complicated to show them in the movie at right times.

The music department is shared by two persons, Mickey J Meyer composing songs and Manisharma scoring the background music. Sirivennela garu writes all 2 songs and two songs are reused traditional songs, Then one song is written by Srikanth Addala himself and the rest are penned by Krishna Chaitanya. Mickey J Meyer had scored good with his earlier album A Aa, with that background, the expectations for this movie are much bigger as this is much bigger film than the former. Lets see what Mickey did to meet the expectations and whether he met or not.

1. Vacchindi Kada Avakasam 

Singer(s): Abhay Jodhpurkar

Lyrics: Sirivennela

This song was released prior to audio release function. This got mixed reviews. People were confused why "Vangaaru Vanga" was used. Abhay Jodhpurkar got a song in Mickey's last album A, Aa, He had issues in that song and he continues the same issues with this song too. This song I guess even Mickey didn't understand the lyrics. Else he could have given a better tune than breaking it into pieces. The tune provided to lyrics are no where related to the mood of the lyrics. The mood, interlude and tone are completely out of sync. Its more like reading the lyric with some background sound. Its very sad to see some fantastic lines get lost into singers pronunciation and breaking up the words, like a robot singing. Abhay singing "Anandam ante painedo lede" is having few issues. Not sure why it sounded so odd. Same with few other lines. Also its rAka pOtE(రాక పొతే ), not rakA potE ( రాకా పొతే ).. Where do we get these singers who cant even sing properly for such key songs?

However on the other had Sirivennela comes up with a great philosophy in this song which can be unmatched. These two lines are best example of explaining greatest philosophy of life in simple sentences. Not sure how can he manage to fit these in a commercial song. Probably he is the only one who never disappointed or let us down from standards that he set for himself. 

అనందం అంటె పైనేదో లేదే మనలోనే దాగుంది

ఛిరునవ్వు దీపం వెలిగించి చూస్తే మనకే తెలుస్తుంది!!

భూగోళమంతా మోసే పనేదొ మనమీదనే ఉందా
లోకాన మొత్తం చికాకులన్ని మనకొరకే పుట్టిందా !!

Over all a good justice is not provided to the lyrics by not so understanding composer and singer. This song by Mickey is not refreshing at all thats another problem. Since there are too many artists in this song, this should be a feast on screen. 

2. Madhuram Madhuram 

Singer(s): Padma & Sridevi

Lyrics: Vallabhacharya - ( 2lines from Madhurashtakam )

This song is a remix ( fusion ) of Madhurashtakam written by Sri Vallabhacharya. From the ashtakam only first two stanzas are taken to form this song. Who ever is familiar with Madhurashtakam and heard this from MS Subbulakshmi or others, will know what is missing from this song. Basically the feel, the sweetness of Krishna. However the impact of this song will be known from the situation that this is used in the movie. If director's idea is to bring this Madhurashtakam to audience and asking them to go back to listen what it is then he will be successful. The fusion is fine by itself, the singers are fine with no issues. But these bhajans have a different feel which have to be carefully done while creating a fusion of it. Without the feel the song doesn't will not appeal.

3. Brahmotsavam  

Singer(s): Sreerama Chandra

Lyrics: Sirivennela

Not sure why Sreerama Chandra took it high. He didn't sound good at all. He not only gets strained at few places, lost comfort zone, there by song doesn't appear pleasant. Once again Sirivennela garu rocks with his lyrics by explaining the meaning of Brahmotsavam  in terms of movie. First song he touches vedanta and here he touches the Runanubhandam concept by saying who will become relatives to us and why. The pace of the song is too much to handle for Sriramachandra that he couldn't control his breath. He had to swallow couple of words. Not sure why this song is composed with so much pace and high pitch. It lost its pleasantness. It might be fine for onscreen but to just to listen as song is something that depends on listeners how much they can afford to ignore issues. 

4. Aata Paatalaadu 

Singer(s): Karthik

Lyrics: Srikanth Addala

So far the initial three songs have some or other issues, Seems like this song is first song that sounds to be better in the lot. Karthik as usual does his job with all easiness as this song doesn't offer any challenges to him. Alavataite ee utsavame madi koradaa maralaa maralaa?? Sums it all about the song. Sirivennela garu once again writes off some excellent words. His songs most of the times are questions he asks. They might be thoughts he infuses or questions that makes us think. Finally a song that goes hand in had between song, lyrics and singing.

5. Naidorintikada 

Singer(s): Anjana Soumya & Ramya Behara

Lyrics: Traditional 

Anjana Soumya gets again back to back chance with Mickey. This song seems to be like a contest between Anjana Soumya and Ramya Behara. As a treat both excel equally and make this interesting contest. Mickey after being lost somewhere during start of the album finally is back in track. The rhythm is just fine, the tuning is apt, the singing is good and cannot tell anything less about the lyrics. Nayudu song is catchy and different. One minor issues is that couldnt clearly understand something about kannula vaaru. Other than that for sure an enjoyable song.

6. Bala Tripuramani 

Singer(s): Rahul Nambiar

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

This song again probably was written for the tune. There is disconnect in singing here and there. For sure not bad as first two songs ( excluding madhuram song ). The song increases pitch/scale as the song progresses. Even Rahul had issues related to pronounciation. Vinaalani undi, not Vinnaalani Undi, Is it naara or nara? Tana mana not Tanaa Mana. Anyways, I guess only few care about pronunciation issues these days. The chorus and beats that repeats through out the song are good, the interludes are made differently. This song needs repeated hearing to grow upon. Probably not an instant hit, due to singing issues. "Buddude Yuddame Cheseyyada ninnu choosi" is an awesome phrase. 

7. Put Your Hands Up 

Singer(s): Shravana Bhargavi & Mickey J Meyer

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Put your hands up Rocking on the dance floor, shaking on the dance floor. If this is what probably Mahesh says that, we can imagine what will happen to the dance floor. Thats for the movie, but coming to the song. Put your hands up is definitely catchy and haunting. All the other flavors added to the song are fine. Shravana Bhargavi should have avoided fake accent here and there. She was fine until then and most of the song. Mickey's name is there but not heard distinctively. Probably gone in the chorus or somewhere. No major issues as such with this song. Depends on youth and Mahesh to do something to the song to take in on the charts. 

Pick(s) of the album: Naidorintikada, Aatapaatalaadu, Vachindi kadaa avakasam ( purely for lyrics)

Mickey J Meyer had a golden opportunity with back to back albums releasing and to make a huge impact in Telugu Film fraternity. I feel that he lost good chance to utilize it to the maximum extent. Wonder why he is depending on Abhay for critical songs of the albums. These songs could have helped him a lot if done properly. Since a movie for family audience, the movie and Mahesh can take care of themselves independent of the music, but it undisputed fact that music can take any movie to different level. I am not sure how much help this would make as it leaves mixed feeling in terms of music. Its a decent album, but with given expectations, could have definitely been better. Some minor issues will hold back this album to taste good success. Hope this will appeal Mahesh Babu's fans.  

A Aa Telugu Movie Audio Review

Movie: A Aa - Anasuya Ramalingam vs. Ananda Vihari (అనసూయ రామలింగం vs ఆనంద్ విహారి )

Producer(s): S. Radhakrishna

Cast: Nitin, Samantha, Anupama Parameshwaran

Direction: Trivikram Srinivas ( Story, Dialogs, Screenplay)

Music: Mickey J Meyer

Trivikram Srinivas know as Matala Mantrikudu, announced in August 2015 that he would make a film with Nitin and Samantha as leads. After two back to back hits, its not expected by Trivikram to make this fast movie which is all wrapped up in April. Samantha's third film with Trivikram and its first movie for Nitin. Anupama was roped in later to make this movie more interesting. Trivikram showed what this movie is going to be about in Teaser and trailer. Trivikram who usually goes with DSP is now working with Mickey J Meyer. Ramajogayya sastry has written 4 songs in total 5 songs in the album. Krishna Chaitanya gets chance to write the other song. Trivikram's movies have always been good with lyrics and music. He has his own mark of making the movies musical. Very rarely his movie had music that failed. Expectations are that this movie also meets similar end result. Mickey has been on and off so its a good chance for him to take next level. Hope he does that. Let see how the album goes. 

1. Yaa Yaa

Singer(s): Abhay Jodhpurkar, Chitra, Anjana Soumya and Sai Shivani

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Mickey starts the album and the song with a very good start. However like these days its singers having too many issues in this song. The starting sounded definitely different but it was not right couple of places. Some issues here and there. Then come Abhay who had different issues all together. Its Vollu irichindi not ullirichindi. Whenever I hear issues with singers singing, I feel what Telugu Film industry is doing that we dont have a singer who can sing Telugu properly. Its been a while that one song is sung without singing issues, be it expression be it pronunciation, be it with normal accent and many more such issues. This song if given to a good male singer this would have been standing at a different level. Anjana Soumya's voice is different not sure why she doesn't get chances. For few songs her voice suits like Swarnalatha. 

Mickey has done good job with this song. The only good thing in the song when kopala Gopala starts. Again "Cha" is not right. "Kopaala Gopaala Deepala velaaye agupinchara" is good. Hard to believe RJS is limiting his talent writing multilingual lyrics. Overall a song that is good could have been much better. For sure a good start for the album. Its not Mickey's fault as such in making this song, but for sure he faulted in choosing right singers. 

2.  Rang De

Singer(s): Ramya Behera, Sai Shivani, Rahul Nambiar

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Mickey sounded repeating in the starting of the song, just with the rhythm pattern which he has used for couple of songs earlier. However later on added different tune so it sounds different. He tries hard but keeps reminding us again and again. Rang De should have been said quite natural instead of extending at the end which sounds fake and artificial. Basically out of sync with the flow of the song. It could have be done along with the flow of the song. Having said that this song is foot tapping as the rhythm makes to do it. Ramajogaiah Sastry leaves aside his multi lingual youthful lyrics and grooves into Trivikramish brand of songs and he does well. The comparison with cloud and Nemali Pincham is good. He could in simple terms explain the love.

3. Anasuya Kosam

Singer(s): Karthik, Rap: Roll Rida

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Aimed at youth, so that this album doesn't sound semi classical. This movie/song probably was planned to have come in April during Ugadi time as it talks about Aadayam/Vyayam (income and expenditure). This song is differently done both in terms of lyrics, tuning and singing. Not extreme in terms of Rap or tune. Goes as situation probably demands. This song will be liked for two reasons, song being youthful and for Karthik. People will have expecations on Trivikram to picturize differently as per the song. Some catchy words used by Krishna Chaitanya which will embrace youth.

4. Mummy Returns

Singer(s): Sravana Bhargavi

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Another simple song aimed at youth. Once again a try to provide a good mixture of songs. Sravana Bhargavi does well and gets good support by Mickey in terms of instruments and chorus. Mummy Returns is catchy and haunting.

5. Yellipoke Shyamala

Singer(s): Karthik

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry.

After Sridevi now its turn for Shyamala. The former was hit and this song is instant hit. Reason Karthik, Ramajoggayya and Mickey done good job and their teamwork is shown clearly. The accent is in the lyrics not but singer which is the reason for the song to taste success. Mickey scores well in this song. I guess this change is due to Trivikram that he is able to provide good work so far in this album. He had been inconsistent there by not getting good success, but if he keeps working like this he is for sure will get more offers than he is getting right now. A little bit variety, a little bit consistency and not repeating should take care. RJS told this song is close to his heart and sure it is the lyrics shows. Some tatvam here and there and some feel here and there. This song for sure tops the album.

Pick(s) of the album: Yellipoke Shyamala, Mummy Returns, Rang De.. ( Anasuya kosam and Yaa Yaa could have been better to make this as an entire album)

After listening to Kotta Bangaru Lokam, I was thinking Mickey J Meyer would go places, be it nee prasnalu neeve or Nenani neevani or Ok Anesa or Nijam gaa nenenaa songs. However he disappoints not being there where he is supposed to be. Not sure what are the reasons, as said in Yellipoke shyamala, may be not consistent enough?? Only Mickey knows. This album is just around that corner of KBL. A better singer for Yaa Yaa and Anasuya a little better, this song is just there. He had two songs like kalaasala lo, and Confusion and here he has two songs similar. Overall a very good effort by Mickey and should give him the required success that he needs. Be it Trivikram's effect or not doesnt matter. Ramajogayya Sastry on other hand again gave decent lyrics and gets noticed in this album. Few lines are well written and he needs to do this quite often instead of writing 1000 multilingual songs that will just get going in the air without getting remembered. Its refreshing to see the two technicians showing a different face and hope they continue to do the same. Trivikram's magic in words would continue influencing them even after the movie is complete. Wish the team a very good success with the film.