Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Ileana D’Cruz, Anurag Basu’s Barfi! has captured the imagination and the interest of the fans of Bollywood the world over. I have to admit that this is the film that tops my list of movies I really truly cannot wait to see. In the film Ranbir has become Barfi, a charming and mischievous deaf/mute, who has the feel of Charlie Chaplain’s characters and Rowan Atkinson’s Mr. Bean, but of course his own cute, crazy, sweet self. Priyanka Chopra, in what seems to be a fabulous performance if the trailer is anything to go by, is Jhilmil an autistic woman who is Barfi’s friend… Also in the cast of characters is Shruti played by Ileana D’Cruz who Barfi falls for. Shruti narrates this heartwarming tale of selfless love and about finding happiness in the smallest things in life. Directed by Anurag Basu, Barfi! is set to open in theaters on September 14th.
After hearing the lovely music that played in the background of the fabulous Barfi! trailer I could not wait to hear the music for the film. Unfortunately that gorgeous instrumental is not on the album, but music director Pritam surprised me even more once I sat down to listen to the eight captivating tracks. Pritam certainly is trying out some new flavors to tell this tale and it so works. Let’s take a look at the sounds of Barfi!
Now usually whistling in a song really gets on my last nerve, but starting off the title track Barfi, it actually set the mood perfectly for the quirky song that was to come. You hear Mohit Chauhan in a totally different avatar than his full on rocker. This is just a light, bright song with some great instrumentation. Not at all what I expected, but I don’t think Barfi! is going to be anything we are going to expect either. I loved the middle stanza with the guitars backing up Mohit’s energetic, fun inflection. The music is very stylized and I really can’t set it to one genre because I feel that Pritam has taken in lots of influences – in a good way. For some reason I thought of Hawaii but maybe that is just me…anyway it is a great, chirpy track you should check out.
There is also a second version sung by lyricist Swanand Kirkire titled Ala Barfi. It has the same quirky music, but he has a different inflection with a little bit of a rougher tone. Not so “sung” as Mohit’s version and so that gives the song a different feel. In some sections, this is more pared down musically and more percussive but then in others it is more revved up with the addition of some cool musical sections that added to the funky sound. It is cheekier, I think, is all I can say and I enjoyed his rendition too. ‘Barfi’ and ‘Ala Barfi’ are probably not songs you will put on replay, but I think once seen in the film you will say ‘Ooooh okayyyy! Now I get it’. Then certainly you will find later that you will be sitting searching the Internet or editing an article and all of a sudden you will start singing oooohwayyyyyy. (Not that I did that). I see this track accompanying a nice montage of Ranbir ala Charlie Chaplain ala Mr. Bean being Barfi and I can’t wait.
The smooth with a bit of an edge vocals of Nikhil Paul George give the voice for the great Main Kya Karoon. Again a new sound from the composer, this one with a very modern flavor to it. I really wish I could I talk to Pritam to find out what went into his thoughts for these songs. There seems to be so many layers and flavors and they all work. You certainly haven’t heard these tracks before. I love Nikhil Paul George’s voice and sometimes it feels as if he is just riffing and I love it. For me, the back up chorus could have been left out, it was one too many layers. However, I love this song, it just makes me smile so this is a must listen! The video certainly has proved to be a hit with fans!
Kyon is next and from the first strum I thought another happy Barfi! track. Running throughout each of the tracks on this OST is this same feel of a modern intonation, but also a 60s influence to some of the background music that makes them really different and that really shines on ‘Kyon’. Papon is brilliant, love his voice on this song, I actually can’t imagine anyone else singing this great tune. (Did anyone else think of Cary Grant listening to him sing…no, just me? Okay). Sudhini is at her sweet, mellifluous toned best, of course. ‘Kyon’ is just lovely and you should give it a play…definitely gives you a feeling that we are in for some surprises on the silver screen.
The wonderful Rekha Bhardwaj sings Phir Le Aya Dil. Not only are her vocals fabulous, but the music on its own is wonderful, which actually is a bit of a problem. Her classic modulation and deep pitch does not totally match the flow of the music, which I found a bit distracting. The music is mix of different flavors with a very sweet sounding feel. I love the piano and guitar layers with the tinkling tones in the back. To be honest I would rather just listen to the music separately because I loved it. Then hear her sing alone with the deeper parts of the song because I do love her voice. A hit and a miss I would say.
There is also a reprise version of Phir Le Aya Dil, which I liked much better. In fact, this is one of the best on the album for me. Arijit Singh’s vocals are just brilliant and on this version of the song I feel as if the music was deepened to match his voice and it worked so much better. Just love everything about this track, the classic Indian flavored beats in the music with the many layers of percussion and light touches to give it a rich sound. At one point the track transforms to almost a jazzy, classic movie flavor with the piano line and that should seem out of place, but totally does not. This one is really one of Pritam’s best. So many layers and so full of perfect sounds and tones. Just go get it and then be prepared to hit play again. I also think once we see it in the film it will become even more.
Aashiyan, for me, had an Italian or maybe Spanish flavor with its sprightly accordion and flute and the whole overall feeling to the musical arrangement on the track. It is very old-worldy in mood and patina and I think you will know what I mean when you hear it. Shreya Ghoshal has this sparkling tone that just adds so much and is the perfect tone for the music. Also heard is Nikhil Paul George who adds the smooth male vocal, which gives it another layer. ‘Aashiyan’ is great, but at the same time a song that really was unexpected. It will be very interesting to see what is happening on screen, but honestly that is true with every single one of these tracks.
Saawali Si Raat features Arijit Singh again, and again he is wonderful in this more whispery avatar with an extra lightness to his inflections. I would not know it is the same singer if I did not look at the liner notes. He is fabulous. The music is so interesting with so many special little touches to the pretty melodious track. Just a song to get lost in…I did as I was taking notes for this review and had to hit play again. This song is another completely different sound from Pritam who really is showing his incredible range and skill at trying new avenues and reaching for new heights when creating the musical backbone and feeling for the film. I love it!
Saawali Si Raat features Arijit Singh again, and again he is wonderful in this more whispery avatar with an extra lightness to his inflections. I would not know it is the same singer if I did not look at the liner notes. He is fabulous. The music is so interesting with so many special little touches to the pretty melodious track. Just a song to get lost in…I did as I was taking notes for this review and had to hit play again. This song is another completely different sound from Pritam who really is showing his incredible range and skill at trying new avenues and reaching for new heights when creating the musical backbone and feeling for the film. I love it!
Director Anurag Basu has said that since Ranbir’s character does not talk, ‘we have six songs in the film that are used to express the protagonists’ feelings without lip-syncing’. The music is part of the way we hear what they are saying. If I was not already totally intrigued and excited to see the film, after hearing the tracks and reading that quote I really, really can’t wait until September 14th gets here! This not your average film and Pritam certainly has created a sweet sounding mix of songs (sorry had to say it once.) As for a rating, since this is not a “classic hit maker” OST but one that is the voice of the film, I am going to base it completely on how good I think the tracks are, the outstanding quality of the signing, how different a sound Pritam has created and most importantly how they will fit into Barfi’s world and for me that makes it 4 stars!
OUR RATING : 4/5
When Goddess Lakshmi Devi asks Lord Vishnu to tell a story, he tells her a story of two orphans Raviteja and Ileana who grow up in different countries and eventually meet and fall in love. When they break up with a quarrel, Vishnu tells the same story in a different way. Devudu Chesina Manushulu is a commercial experiment from Puri Jagannadh.
Analysis:
Devudu Chesina Manushulu runs in the same pattern as earlier Puri’s commercial entertainers. Hero is an aimless awara and the villain is a mafia don. They both meet at a point and fight head to head. Puri tried to deal this in a comical fashion, but the script is half baked.
DCM definitely has a novel plot and an interesting premise, but the script is not as good as it should be. First half and second half are the same and convincing enough. That is something we don’t see regularly. However, such subjects need finesse on the script level. Puri Jagannadh had a good line on hands. Somehow he has failed on the execution part.
Comedy works out here and there. Ali takes the cake in this department. The main story is about how the lead pair falls in love. The director didn’t take much care about building the love story. A scene or two is given to them and the rest is wasted on so called entertainment. To cut things short first half is passable and second half is horrible in DCM.
Performances:
Raviteja was energetic as usual. In most of his movies Raviteja shoulders the script. In this movie he is just another character in the drama. He did well within the limitations. Ileana was alright. She should pile up few kilos to bring on the hot factor.
Prakash Raj was fine in a different character. Brahmanandam was good. Ali was hilarious in few scenes. Kovai Sarala too did well. Subba Raju was okay. Jyothi Rana was spicy.
Technicalities:
Cinematography was not up to Shyam K Naidu’s standards. Outdoor shots in Bangkok were of poor quality. Music was peppy. Masses will like it. Background score was just average. Editing could have been better. Puri’s punch was missing in the dialogues.
As a director Puri did an okay job. The writer let him down this time. Films like Devudu Chesina Manushulu needs attention to the detail and convincing screenplay. That was missing and that was a major problem with the film.
Final Word:
Devudu Chesina Manushulu has some good comedy scenes and was targeted to be a mass entertainer. But it missed the target due to poor script.
Devudu Chesina Manushulu Movie Rating: 2.5/5
Banner: Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra
Cast: Raviteja, Ileana D'Cruz,
Music: Raghu Kunche
Producer: B.V.S.N. Prasad
Story, Screen-Play, Director: Puri Jagannadh
Several exhibitors believe that most of his earlier films haven't done well in the overseas markets in the past two years and it is primarily because the script was not able to connect with the audiences. However, looks like Allu Arjun has changed that as his Julayi USA collections register more than US$ 5, 00,000 including premiere shows in its first weekend.
The candy-floss humor quotient of Trivikram still remains intact in the overseas audience as the director spins the magic again. His earlier film Athadu, starring Mahesh Babu, was the first film to rake in the moolah for a Telugu film in 2005. And he continues to rule the roost in the overseas market with his recent release Julayi too.
Trivikram Dialogues collection from JULAYI
1. Aasa unte cancer ayina nayam cheyochu, badhalo unte ulcer tho kuda povachu.
2 Vaadiki Neeku Teda Ledura Neeku Lakshalu kavali vaadiki kotlu kavali, teda ankellone,alochanallo kadu.
3. Logic lu evaru nammaru..andariki magicle kaavaali. Anduke mana desam lo scientist la kannaa baabale famous.
4.Okappudu nuvvu bagundalani korukune vaadini. Ippudu nuvvu vunte chaalu anipistundi.
5.Neeke talanoppi teppinchadu ante aadu amrutanjanam amma mogudu ayyuntadu.
6.Class lo Evadaina answer Chepthadu kani Exam Lo Rasevade topper avutadu.
7. Manaku raani pani try cheyyodhu ,vachina pani free ga cheyodhu.
8. Poddune Kodi Kuda lesthundi em paiki vachindichicken Vandesukoni Thinestanaru.
9. Bayapadatam lone padatam undi manam padoddu leguddam.
10.karuvu vachina country ki ambassador laga vunnavu (Allu Arjun says to Ileana).
11.Nenu vadi fan, naa hero eppudu top lone vundali.
12.Tsunami vachinapudu okadu tadavakudadani Rain coat eskelthe ela untadhi ? meeru matladthunte nakanthe etakaramga undi!
13.Mamulga mudurlu plan chesi pani chestharu, nalanti Deshamudurlu pani chesthu plan chestharu.
14. Laksha rupayala lottery ticketni kooda kastapadi sampadinchina okka rupayithone konali.
15.Baanam vese vadi brotana velu…trigger lagevadi chupudu velu theesesthay vadu deniki pikaledu..!!
16.Bayam vestundhi ani horror pictures chudatam manesthama amma, adhi oo bad habit, veedu anthey.
17. After all Cigarette packet meedhey “nannu thaagodhu,potharu” ani raasinappudu, naalantodu “nannu kelakodhu, chastharu” ani cheppakapothe ela.
18. Middle class life naa valla kadhu, kodithey okate dhebba,life motham settle ipovali
19. Mari violent ga unnadu,puvvulni ammayilani chupinchandi ra!
20. Kota Srinivasa Rao:
Rushikonda nundi Bhimili velle daarilo road vampu ga untundhi,ammayi nadumula.
Rushikonda nundi Bhimili velle daarilo road vampu ga untundhi,ammayi nadumula.
21. Ishtam ga korukunedi adrushtam, balam ga korukunede bhavishyattu
22. Katthi ki feelings undav babai..Padhune..
23. vandhellu brathakataniki nuvvu, nee thammudu gullu emanna kattinchara?bank ki kannalesaru!!!
24. Life lo eppudu em cheyyalani pakkodini adagaku, Neekantu oka Clarity undali.
25. Naakoka dastha paperlu bastha pennulu kavali..Aathma kadha raasukuntanu..ye gandhi,nehru lak aathmaluntaya..naaku oka aatmaundhi..daaniki oka kadha yedchindi!!
26. “Meru Vesina 5 Lakhs Tho Ma Bank Lo 1500 Crores Ayayi Sir..Aite Eppudu Naku Em Aina Gift Esthara???ledu sir Receipt istamu!!!
27. Thought aina RICH ga undanivvandi,,FREE ye kada!!!
28. Bhrami: Ninnu jail lo enduku esaru?
Bramhaji: donga passport chesinanduku.
Bhrami: adi art kada,ante artist lani kuda bokka lo estara?
29. Maa jeevitalu railu varakena?mammalni car ekkanivvara?????
30.Life anedi highway… gelupu anedi one way… Short cuts ki no way”
31.Ala rakumarudu,mantrikudu nidhi kosam oke vaipu vella sagaru. “Aakashavani bairava kona”.
32.Dabu vunavadu Gun vunavadu “NO” ani vinataniki istapadaru.
33.Software lo kaali ledu , hardware lo growth ledu, Realestates lo rowdy lekkuva, construction lo salary thakkuva.
34.Daniki sight kotadam yee radu ink banklu em kodadi.
35.Idigo Bittu veedu Ravindra Narayan ide nee chavuku wake up call 
36.Fans ki logics vundavu only emotions yee.
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