Sher Audio Review

Movie: Sher ( షేర్  )

Producer(s): Komara Venkatesh

Cast: Kalyan Ram, Sonal Chauhan

Direction: Mallikarjuna

Music: SS Thaman

Nandamuri Kalyanram after huge success of life time in the name of Pataas should be riding high. His next movie automatically sets high expectations. Known as perfect gentleman for his sincere and down to earth attitude the success in terms of Pataas was welcomed by everyone since it took so long for him to get success. The trailers, teasers looked good so far and the audio too set some expectations as Thaman got huge success for Brucelee. Both combining together after success by default the expectation is the music has to be success.

Sher, directed by Mallikarjuna and produced by Komara Venkatesh. The female lead for this movie is Sonal Chauhan supported by Brahmanandam and Nora Fatehi.The music department as said, Thaman working with Kalyan ram. He is supported by Srimani (3 songs), Kandikonda and Varikuppala for lyrics. Singers are fine not having surprises or new names.

Lets see whether the songs were pataas or tapaas.

1. Hare Rama

Singer(s): Deepak

Lyrics: Srimani

Thaman starts the album with his typical high pitch auto tuner voice with echoing effect for the Hare Rama, Hare Krishna.. This sounds really good. Then he shifts gear and now sound as if this song was for Ravi Teja. The song has simple beats, nice lyrics and well sung by Deepak. However the words didn't fit the tune so singer had to hurry saying them like some one pressing ffwd button for that word.Thaman himself said his tunes are difficult for lyricists. It appears that the second interlude is repeated from "Darlinge" song. There is slang here and there for the words that didn't appear good. The beauty of the song is Thaman being unusual kept it simple without being lound. Simple beats, simple tune, with no side effects will makes this song instantly likable. 

2. Surangani

Singer(s): Deepak, Malavika

Lyrics: Srimani

Deepak sounds a lot like Karthik in this song. This song even though doesn't appear fresh, its highly fast and energetic. The rhythm seems to be borrowed from yesteryear hindi songs. The song being, Slow, silence and then picking up energy is very well done by Thaman. This song gets a big boost from the programming skills of Thaman. Once again Thaman made it very simple and yet powerful. Singers did good job. Srimani was fine within his limits. Overall a good package from Thaman. 

3. Chal Chalona

Singer(s): Suchith Suresan, Sameera Bhardwaj, Sanjana Kalmanje

Lyrics: Srimani 

Thaman comes up with a catchy tune that will get addicted. His techno interludes added a lot of strength to the song. This song will be embraced by youth. Female singers added a lot of weight to the song. Nuvvante Ishtam sundara was done and sung very well. The non-stop words before that phrase is also done well. This song stands as very decent composition from Thaman in recent times. The guitar is perfect to the mood of the song. Simple rhythm added to interludes are good to listen. Male singer was a little out of sync in terms of tune with female singers at elevated singing. Thaman scores yet another decent song. So far so good. Touch wood.

4. Naina Naina

Singer(s): Anudeep Dev, Sanjana Kalmanje

Lyrics: Kandikonda

The start of the song is fantastic, Thaman should have used a different beats so that song appears fresh and Anudeep's start too might have be done slightly different to avoid being redundant. Having said that these issues doesn't create problems to the song at all. Once again Thaman stressed on being simple. A melody added with nice flavors makes this song a very pleasant song. Its ఉగాది not  ఉగాధి . Thaman should avoid such simple mistakes while recording the songs if he needs to be professionally perfect. Non Telugu singers write it as Ugadi, they wouldnt know the difference. Anyways thats a minor issue these days. But Thaman scored yet another decent song, nice catchy, haunting melody keeping everything simple and sweet. 

5. Naa Pere Pinky

Singer(s): Simha, MM Manasi

Lyrics: Varikuppala yadagiri

A routine item song. If a little bit freshness added to the song in tuning, this album would have been perfect score in terms of hits. Some how this song remains as a routine item song. Simha and Manasi should have been let them sing by themselves. Felt Manasi was ok, but she could have added more energy to the song. The beats and instruments were successful but not singers. Varikkuppala got a chance to write perfect mass song and he was fine. No complaints on this song other than appearing as routing composition from Thaman. Somehow this doesnt meet the standards of the other songs in this album. Thats the only limitation, other wise song is fine as such. Its fine on screen as the visuals show. 

Pick(s) of the album: Songs 1-4. Would have been entire album if not for Naa pere pinky. 

I would say after Jabardast, this is album that meets similar standards of Thaman's work. At that time I said that Thaman was still raw talent and need right people to squeeze good work of him. His recent interview before Brucelee audio release confirms that all the issues in music was caused by the movie makers. Hope he comes out of that shakles, be independent and his music command the movie makers instead of others commanding him. Not sure trolling on social media by lot of people helped too, but this album should be the starting point of Thaman's music career to go on a positive side. Kalyanram gets a very decent album The music is Pataas and its now in his hands to make the movie Pataas too. Wish the team a huge success. 

Brucelee - Audio Review

Movie: Brucelee (The fighter ) -  (బ్రూస్ లీ - the ఫైటర్  )

Producer(s): DVV Danayya

Cast: Ram Charan, Rakul Preet Singh, Kriti Kharbanda

Direction: Srinu Vytla

Music: SS Thaman

After being a family man with GAV, Ramcharan decided to be a fighter. Srinu Vytla tasted a career disaster with Aagadu, trying to recharge with Ramcharan, who also didnt get huge success with his last film. Thaman who has slowed down a bit now trying to regain his space with this film. Being a critical for all the three, this film has already set the bar and raised the expectations to sky high. Fans are extremely confident on this movie, that it would beat latest hit Srimanthudu and after MD would collect good amount in movie collections.

This movie has many names announced and replaced. First its Samantha, who was replaced with Rakul Preet and then music director Anirudh with Thaman and so on. Kona Venkat and Gopi Mohan who left Srinu Vytla had come back and Srinu Vytla had to work with them due to Mega Intervention. This way the confidence of success is already ensured.

Rakul Preet Singh is getting lot of offers lately, tasting success to go to next step in the ladder and in the race, then kriti Karbanda is playing sister to Ramcharan. Again the Mega Atta is back again in this movie after Attarintiki Daredi. The cast is heavy, the expecations are heavy, fans are just waiting for the movie.

Coming to Music, Thaman has been candid on the allegations on him agreeing most of the stuff going on social media. He tweeted he is tense and excited for this audio as the success of this album might clear away some of the criticism. He teams up with Ramajogiah sastry (RJ) who wrote most of the songs and Srimani. I guess for the tunes Thaman gives, only RJS can fill in words. Most others will fail, where RJS is successful. Anchor Suma during Audio release function said, RJS is annamayya of TFI, even though she talked non-sense, atleast for Thaman it makes sense. 

Apart from singers, Thaman has additional singer called auto-tuner. So he doesnt have to worry about who sings the song. The album has 5 songs. Le chalo has already become widely popular after its release in youtube for Srinu Vytla's birthday.

Lets see what Thaman did this time for Brucelee.

1. Run

Singer(s): Sai Sharan, Nivaz

Lyrics: Sri Mani

Thaman starts the album with nice rhythm, energetic tune which is quite pacy. Good news is no auto tuner and thaman's template beats. The singers voices are original and energetic. The rhythm is highly addict-able and  Srimani has filled in some good words here and there. However singers seems to struggle at higher notes. "Yehe run" could have been avoided and replaced with something else. This song should be heard in a good music system for greater effect. Thaman starts the album with completely different to what he is known for. However he could not bring freshness in the song. The tune seems to be beaten. Srimani should be commendable for the flashes in the lyrics of course he could have done a lot better. This song is completely designed for Charan who will rock in terms of dance movements and should be done well by Srinu Vytla to give a treat to fans. Else only Srinu Vytla will be blamed as this song has everything that it needs to be successful.

2. Ria

Singer(s): Rabbit Mac, Deepak

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Rabbit Starts the song, blaming the lead that she broke the heart. Did Thaman sing in between? This song has issues with singing the words. నాతొ is said as నాటో. Also didnt get what singer said after "Sunny Sunny morning laa". Anyway keeping singers issues apart, a pathos song composed in a different style. This is something made different. Trendy as it is called. Thaman though made it differently didnt take care much with rest of the song. Flute interlude changes the gear. After watching the bit song of Le chalo and this song having flute, is something related to story I guess. Singing issues makes this song ordinary. Only refreshing is this song being made different. But has many issues to keep listening repeatedly. Having said that this song has buzz words for youth, the rap makes them happy.

3. Kungfu Kumari

Singer(s): Ramya Behara, Deepak

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Ok, now back to the terms, Thaman back to basics with his template beats auto tuner and tampering the voices, and familiar tunes. This song has "Mega""Chiruta" written all over it. RJS when he looks back to this album regarding lyrical achievement, there will be nothing other than he filled the tune with rhyming words. Is this Deepak different? His voice doesn't sound the usual him. Ramya who is known to be suited for soft melodies, does well for this song too. This song doesn't offer much and needs help from Ramcharan. Probably designed that way.  

4. Le Chalo

Singer(s): Thaman, Megha

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

The song is already hit before it was released officially, as the bit that was released had everything. This song had the flute step by Charan which will become a rage for sure. The song is so well until Thaman's voice is heard. There were comments made in youtube asking Thaman to replace the singer (LOL), with autotuner on, listeners couldnt realize it was Thaman. Thaman's voice was really "Shreik" ("keechu") when he sang "Veechu gali", "Konta Kalam". Not sure how a music director can live with this kind of issues, when he cannot sing, he should accept and give to a better singer. How can some one let this song to a substandard singer? Obviously listeners are unhappy with this. 

Whatever it is this song is different, has visuals, has excellent steps from Charan which can be benchmark, Ignoring Thaman this song is hit.

5. Bruce Lee

Singer(s): Simha, Sameera Bharadwaj

Lyrics: Ramajogayya Sastry

Again usual Thaman. Simha after Racegurram will aim for another Filmfare award. Brucelee will bang his head if he listens what Ramajogayya wrote after using his name Brucelee and lyrics after that. "టెంపో ట్రాలీ", "బెల్లం పల్లీ ". anything that rhymes with "లీ" Song aimed at masses, so this should work. Thaman doesnt offer anything in this song too. This is standard template mass song. Singers were fine and they did justice to the song.

Pick(s) of the album: Run Run,  Ria , Le Chalo ( have to ignore Thaman - onscreen pick)

Charan and Srinu Vytla has aimed this album at masses and youth. So they will be successful in that. Music wise, I guess Thaman is saturated and has nothing to offer other than a song or two which he kills them either with auto tuner or singing himself. He cannot get away with repeating tunes. Even though he satisfies his heros, movie makers with their demands, he is not going to go anywhere with these kind of albums. Mega fans will like this album and they will make it hit. That is more than required. Hope Charan gets the success he is wanting/waiting for.

Akhil - Audio Review

Movie: Akhil - The Power of Jua ( )

Producer(s): Nitin,Sudhakar Reddy

Cast: Akkineni Akhil and Sayesha Saigal

Direction: VV Vinayak

Music: Anup Rubens, SS Thaman

Akhil Akkineni who started movies with Sisindri, (which was freemake of Baby's Day Out) never ventured into movies until Manam, which was made for Akkineni Nageswara Rao. There was lot of buzz around his debut as hero into Telugu Film Industry, when kids of other heros already made into movies. After Nagarjuna, Sumanth, Chaitanya and Sushanth couldnt make it big even though they made few successful movies. All Akkineni family fans hopes were on Akhil to be in top league of movie industry. 

There were many names heard before VV Vinayak's name was confirmed for debuting Akhil. The title was named after him with Tag line "The power of Jua". Immediately people googled to find Jua is Sun in Swahili language that is used in African countries. So this movie is going to be a romantic adventurous movie is the speculation his fans had. 

Anup Rubens who gave super success music for Manam was chosen to compose this movie. However they decided to add more power to the music department to me more youthful, more trendy in the form of Thaman. However it seems like Manisharma will be scoring back ground music. Bhaskarabhatla and KrishnaChaitanya shared the lyrics. 

The audio is released on birthday of Late Akkineni Nageswara Rao garu. Lets see how the Power of Jua for music is..

1. Hey Akhil

Singer(s): Rahul Pandey, Anup Rubens, Chorus

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Music: Anup Rubens

Seems like this song is completely aimed at promoting Akhil. There is a good pace in the song, beats that suits nice dance moves, youth based tune that youth can crune this tune. Akhil is the movie name, song is Akhil's name and the actor is Akhil, what else Akkineni fans want? Krishna Chaitanya wrote completely youth based song, which is supported by Rahul and Chorus. Having said that the tune is lacking freshness, variety. Other than that it should appeal fans and they should have a great time in theater.

2. Akkineni Akkineni

Singer(s): Divyakumar, Bhargavi, Uma Neha, Mohana

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Music: Anup Rubens

Audience, Who are familiar with Thaman's dappulu, will think that this song is composed by him, but it seems like this song is composed by Anup. When working as a team, they got to get inspiration from one other. This Song Krishna Chaitanya wrote revolves around the word matching. With the way awards are given these days, this song could be potential filmfare best song winner :) Again, the singers cannot be very clearly differentiated, all sound the same. This song is the easiest composition ever made I guess. The rhythm is defined, the words pattern is defined all music director has to do is say the singers sing the words rhythmically. And if they cannot, auto-tuner is there to help them. So all set.

3. Padesave

Singer(s): Karthik, MM Manasi

Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla Ravikumar

Music: Thaman SS

Why the title of the song is labeled as "Padessavae"? There is no such word in Telugu. Thaman gave his talent to Anup in Akkineni song and tried to be different in this song. However as long as tune is not refreshing, how hard he tries to be different doesn't help him. Karthik as usual rocks but he showed some Tamil accent while saying few words like Bhaggumannade, which is quite unusual from him. This song since doesn't get churned into auto-tuner which is very surprising. Thaman's template is written all over but still appears different. Bhaskarabhatla tried to write a song but doesnt go anywhere with the lyrics. The interludes accompanied by chorus looks good without chorus though. Overall a decent song in this album.

4. Nenekkadunte ( Energy )

Singer(s): Rajit, Sharanya, Bhargavi, RAP: Rahul Rido

Lyrics: Krishna Chaitanya

Music: Anup Rubens

Dynamic rocking guitar starts the song on high energy, but there on-wards, the song takes entirely different twists and turns which doesn't match the energy except the word "Energy". The interlude uses the popular music, and the dance floor beaten tunes. Then Krishna Chaitanya tries to use words which sync together, but doesnt appeal much. This is out and out dance song. Hope Akhil gets some good moves to make his fans happy. This song severely needs help from Screen. Once again auto-tuner used. I have seen many people think to be modern the auto-tuner has to be used. I don't see this much usage of auto tuner anywhere else than in Telugu. All this is happening because every one wants latest trendy music, and often gets misunderstood even though using auto tuner doesn't make any song trendy, next generation and youthful. I sincerely hope people realize that. 

5. Zara Zara Navvarade

Singer(s): Divya Kumar, Mohana Bhogaraju, Rahul Sipligunj Uma Neha RAP: Srikar

Lyrics: Bhaskarabhatla Ravikumar

Music: Anup Rubens

This song is written with an algorithm. To accommodate, so many singers for a song it needs too much kind hearted from music director, However when auto tuner is used, do we need so many singers at all is a huge question one gets when they listen to this song. So many singers listed, but we hear all of them sound like Anup. 

Anup like these days music directors is very good at using his own/others tunes and putting them in auto-tuner and change things here and there to sound it as a different song. Lyrics will be different anyways. Singers when they pronounce Undalani pithonde,, instead of pistonde, they sound horribly sarcastic. Is it due to auto-tuner of singers? Better the lyricists use Hindi, English or even Tamil, instead of Telugu, when singers don't know how to pronounce them. We can hear them and stop complaining.

I heard many tunes of other songs in this song. How directors and producers are paying for rehashed tunes and on the top, do we need three music directors for a movie for already heard songs? Are we in such a pathetic situation that we cannot get any more new tunes from these music directors? Something the movie makers need to think. Anyways another song which will need Akhils help to elevate. May be these songs are designed to be such low quality so that the hero can elevate them and prove the power of Jua. :)

Pick(s) of the album: Padesave, Hey Akhil.

Akhil's debut has been made with latest concept of trendy, youthful, next generation music, where auto tuner is used so generously, tunes are rehashed so generously. Few songs are made to show case Akhil's dancing prowess, few made to make him look beautiful on screen. If he can give strength to the songs, it will add more weight to him as a star. If that is the goal, then it is all achieved. All the best for yet another star from the Legend Akkineni's family and hope he shows the power of Jua.

Kanche - Audio Review

Movie: Kanche (కంచె )

Producer(s): Saibabu Jagarlamudi, Y. Rajeev Reddy

Cast: Varun Tej, Pragya Jaiswal, Srinivas Avasarala, Nikitin Dheer

Direction: Krish

Music: Chirantan Bhatt

When the trailer of Kanche was released on September 1st 2015, the entire TFI was awestruck. That was the impact Krish created on the audience. He was able to distract viewers who were stuck with Bahubali, to take a look and applause his effort. Everyone started thinking from where did this come from, what happened to this all along. Kanche title itself was different and the love in war backdrop something is not seen recently in Telugu. Krish after working and completing Gabbar is back in Hindi, he came back to Telugu and brought along with him Chirantan Bhatt. He earlier worked with Ramcharan for Zanjeer. 

Varun Tej's after Mukunda getting into this movie proves he not only looks different from the Mega crowd, his choice also is completely different. Its really daring attempt by a new comer to choose this type of movie with a different backdrop which he might not be sure how audience will grace. Hope he gets success with this movie.

Krish is working with Sirivennela and so far he was able to extract excellent work from him. In this movie also he wrote entire songs, which has 5 songs and a theme music. Singers are chirantan Bhatt's choice obviously. Lets see what the duo of Krish and Sirivennela did.

1. Itu Itu Ani Chitikelu evvarivo

Singer(s): Abhay Jodhpurkar, Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

The album starts with a duet which is active in the sense of lead pair involving in it actively, as it goes with good energy. However Abhay seems to have struggled singing this song. He was off during the starting and many places. May be due to being alien to Telugu. Shreya's voice was also not pleasant. Shreik and probably she wanted to match Abhay, she too performed badly. The tune is beaten could be due to situation. Overall the song doesnt appeal because of not so good singing by the singers. Dont these music directors want their song to be hit? Why do they make bad choice of singers is something to wonder. Some mess up by singing themselves, some mess up with alien to language singers and some bad choices they make. Having said that the saving grace is lyrics by Sirivennela and probably classic touch here and there and picturization on the screen. 

2. Ooru Eru Ayyindi Eru Horettindi

Singer(s): Shankar Mahadevan

Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

This song could the the song that cover holds the still of male lead Varun Tej having great time with the group. The beats are good, has energy, the melody in interludes and Shankar's singing makes song audible. However tune again is beaten. The song does not appear fresh at all. Shankar too had issues with words is something we keep worry about. Chorus is good. Still waiting for Sirivennela's magic. So far its not visible. Did I hear somebody singing was way off after first stanza and second interlude? Too many singing issues so far. Audio is not done with care or what? A song again that might survive due to Krish and Sirivennela. Nothing notably great in terms of music and singing.

3. Nijamenani Nammani

Singer(s): Shreya Ghoshal

Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

I thought I heard who ever sang initial alaap miss a note or two. Was it Shreya? If so very surprising. A well made pathos. Shreya Ghoshal didnt sound like her. May be the label is wrong. Except for small issue in alap this song is good to listen. Interludes are good, singing brings out the mood, the instrumentation was given right volume when required. Simple, yet good song. Some instruments which are rare to hear these days are heard. Finally ends well. Overall a good song to hear in this album. Still waiting for the powerful song(s) that Krish and Sirivennela are known for.

4. Bhaga Bhaga mani

Singer(s): Vijay Prakash

Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

There comes the trademark song. First the lyrical treat and then could be a visual treat too. Got used to SPB for these type of songs who brings the required power to the song, however even though Vijay's voice misses the magnanimity, the song didn't miss what it is required.This song absolutely needs pronouncing prowess, lack of it doesnt elevate the song. Vijay Prakash doesnt sound like Telugu, but the tune and lyrics cover this limitation. So tough song for listeners to listen and understand. We are hearing many songs these days having complex words, but when the sum up they dont make sense, However whenever Sirivennela writes a song, it takes some time for every one to understand the real meaning of what he meant, as he never writes a song without proper depth of meaning in it He never writes a song something that doesn't really correlates to movie. The song ending soon is something that disappoints the fans as they expect one more krishnam vande jagadgurum type of song, hope there is one more. Chirantan Bhatt did justice to the tune, but hope he and Vijay Prakash will understand what it is meant by providing justice to lyrics. 

5. Raa mundadugeddam

Singer(s): Vijay Prakash, Keerti Sugatiya

Lyrics: Sirivennela Sitarama Sastry

Thanks to Krish and Sirivennela for not disappointing the fans. This is what fans will look for. This song provides intensity of the war, intensity of the love, power of love. The song shifts gears with few mind boggling questions, Sirivennela garu, hats off to you for such a wonderful song. This song credits should have been for more singers I guess. I guess this song comes in bits and pieces in the movie as some continuity doesn't match up. Whether Alaps, chorus could have been better. Whether this song would have made been better yes, whether song is good, yes, whether lyrics are excellent yes, singers could have been better, yes. Did we enjoy the song, yes. Something like this feeling leaves the listener at the end of the song. 

6. Prema-Yuddam ( Love - War )

Theme Music

Pick(s) of the album: Nijamenani Nammani, Bhaga Bhaga mani, Raa mundadugeddam, Theme music.

This theme sums up all about the movie. Director has done a great job in composing the them. This is magnanimous and sure to elevate the scenes that will have an excellent picturization by Krish. Given the backdrop of the movie, this music perfectly fits to the core. 

This album is starts slowly creating a different impression but ends up to be good. It progresses in everything as the songs pass by one after another. Thanks to the power of Krish and Sirivennela combo that doesn't disappoint us. The songs standard increases one after another after starting pretty normal. I guess that is strategic placing of the songs in the album. We will need more of these type of albums for the sake of complete song lovers which has good power of lyrics. Thanks and wish Krish all the very best.