Gautamiputra Satakarni Audio Review

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

Shatamanam Bhavati Audio Review

Movie: Satamanam Bhavati (శతమానం భవతి )
Producer(s):  Dil Raju ( Sri Venkateswara Creations )
Cast:Sarvaanand, Anupama Parameswaran
Direction: Vegesna Satish
Music: Mickey J Meyer

A movie slated to release for Sankranti time frame, along with two big movies like #150 and #GPSK is considered normally as a huge risk taken by any movie maker. Unless they believe in story and cast, releasing it on that time frame the risk can be taken only by the likes of Dil Raju under the banner of Sri Venkateswara Creations. Shatamanam Bhavati title as such for a movie really raises the bar. 

Sarvanand has been looking great with his past movies and he raised the expectations of the movie thru the teaser. This movie also  stars  Anupama Parameshwaran, Prakash Raj and others. The music is composed by Mickey J Meyer and directed by Vegesna Satish.

Given the names attached this movie might maintain low profile but it sure is impressing movie goers with various factors. The backdrop of the movie and the cast is something to look for. Mickey J Meyer known for feel good songs also adds to the movie. Singers wise there are many names attached to this album. Lyrics are handled by Srimani and RJ Sastry. Dil Raju production has given many musical hits in the past and has been consistent in music department. So this album shouldnt be any different. Having SPB sing one song is definetely a huge surprise for this album. 

Lets see how this album did.

Song: Mellaga Tellarindoi
Singer(s)(s): Anurag Kulkarni, Ramya Behara, Mohana Bhogaraju
Lyrics: Srimani

Starts pleasantly with a good alaap and then the start is in sync with that. However the feel doesnt continue may be due to the singer the way he sang. Mickey reminds his earlier song in chorus, having said that the chorus is noisy and out of sync with the lead. Srimani brought in a good feel of the festive village. Ramya Behara somehow didn't sound herself in this song. She is normally pretty good, not sure what is the reason. Mickey even though lacks freshness in the song in entirety, keeps the pleasant feeling intact, which will make the song go along with listeners. However singers could have done a lot better. 

Song: Shatamanam Bhavati
Singer(s): Chitra, Vijay Yesudas
Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

Satamanam Bhavati as the title song of the movie, This is one powerful blessing that every elder gives to younger ones. Mickey doesn't deviate from his template tuning. This song reminds his many other songs. RJ Sastry reminds a song from Apadbandavudu, and Mickey Reminds us of Bapu garu probably for the words and style of making the song even though they are not related. The two words brings in a great feeling whenever heard irrespective who says it. Vijay Yesudas is not heard lately teams up with Chitra garu both are treat to listen. Again Mickey tries to focus on making the song pleasant to hear. Just tags along with words that RJ Sastry wrote. But adding a little freshness to the song would have made this song to a new level. Doesnt mean this song cannot be enjoyed. Chitra and Vijay provide the feast that Mickey would have added to them.

Song: Naalo Nenu
Singer(s): Sameera Bharadwaj
Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

This song goes simple as it is. The singer is just ok. Could have done a lot better. Probably she is not right fit for the song. Her voice has no problem, but expressions, saying words could have been better. Allestunnavo, "s" became silent when Sameera says it. A routine song probably run off mill from RJ Sastry garu. Mickey's motto in this album is to provide feel good songs I believe.

Song: Nilavade
Singer(s): S.P.Balasubramanyam
Lyrics: Ramajogaiah Sastry

SPB garu after a long time in a commercial movie? Comes as a pleasant surprise. Though the songs, guitar beats, rhythm patterns are from Raja Sir, Mickey made some subtle changes to own this song. Anyday a song from SPB Sir is always welcome. How he weaves magic to the song is unbeatable. We got atleast 1000 singers after SPB who are singing songs in Telugu, but no one could elevate a song like him. He makes many times a pretty ordinary song work like a charm with his voice. This tune possibly a rehash but that doesn't deter or take away anything as long as SPB is at the helm. Probably this album is just worth for this song. This song shows his command over few areas in singing, expressions, saying words, free flow singing, even at this age this song comes effortless. Take a bow SPB sir. We should owe to whoever made SPB sing this song. 

Song: Hailo Hailessare
Singer(s): Aditya Iyengar, Rohith Paritala, Mohana Bhogaraju, Divya Divakar 
Lyrics: Srimani

Gobbiyallo, Gobbillo, are the patent words for Telugu and these words can not go wrong. This song is yet another attempt to explain the beauty of Sankranti, Not sure whether any one can bring the greatness of the festival in words. This is a feeling and only one can feel it explaining is a difficult task. Having said that the team could have a made an attempt which can be felt on the screen as the song suggests. The song is fine and probably when on screen people wouldn't mind about song and lyrics and flow with the artists bringing the glory of the festival. Mickey does just fine.

Pick(s) of the album: Nilavade, Shatamanam Bhavati, Hailo Hailessare

Seems like a pure love story for family audience is on the cards. Sarvanand and Anupama Parameswaran seems to be promising movie goers a refreshing experience watching this movie. Dil Raju who is known for producing sensible movies once again probably keeping upto it. Mickey also just met his standards as feel good songs provider, did justice to that name thru this album. Only missing factor for people who expect more on the music side is a little pinch of freshness. But that wouldn't be a big complaint as songs for sure leave a good feeling. Given the backdrop, these songs will for sure help the movie. Wish the movie team the very best to fare well given two big movies releasing around same time and they get their own space in the time.