Slumdog Millionaire (2009)

  

In the past A.R. Rahman has worked on international collaborations but other than the fact that his soundtracks make big news, they haven't been known much amongst the Indian audience. This is the first time ever that one is hearing a lot about this project of his because a) it has been set in India, b) all the actors in the film are Indians, c) the film is getting a mainstream release and d) there are awards and more awards that are coming the way of not just the film but also the music. A score which was relatively unknown till a few months back, has certainly become big due to which one picks up the CD of Slumdog Millionaire with great expectations.

This one is not just a versatile album but also a teasing one, as can be witnessed from the opening number 'Ringa Ringa' which is based on the the rhythm of 'Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai'. Set in a brothel, 'Ringa Ringa' hardly leaves anything to imagination and one wonders that if not for an A-grade project set-up as that of Slumdog Millionaire, the song would possibly have not gone beyond the censors. In the league of 'Choli Ke Peeche' [Khalnayak] and 'Mujhko Raana Ji Maaf Karna' [Karan Johar], 'Ringa Ringa' is as raunchy as it gets.

'Jai Ho' is the flagship number of Slumdog Millionaire and Subhash Ghai may certainly have been cursing his luck that he allowed this superb track from Yuvvraaj to be handed over toSlumdog Millionaire after he felt that it didn't suit the mood of his own film. Boasting of an amazing mix of melody and rhythm, 'Jai Ho' remains Indian at heart and is instantly catchy. No wonder, it is the lone promotional song of the film and also sees a music video being dedicated to it. Gulzar saab celebrates the spirit of love and life with 'Jai Ho' and infuses enough power in it that justifies all the nominations it is receiving today.

 

1. Dreams On Fire / A R Rahman, Suzanne D'Mello
2. Gangsta Blues / Blaze, Tanvi, A R Rahman
3. Jai Ho / A R Rahman, Sukhwinder Singh, Tanvi, Mahalakshmi Iyer, Vijay Prakash
4. Latikas - Theme / Blaaze, Benny Dayal, Vivinenne Pocha, Tanvi, Claire
5. Liquid Dance / A R Rahman, Madhumitha, Palakkad Sriram
6. Mausam - Escape / A R Rahman
7. Millionaire / A R Rahman, Madhumitha
8. O Saya / A R Rahman
9. Ringa Ringa / Alka Yagnik, Ila Arun, A R Rahman
10. Riots / A R Rahman,