Mangal Pandey review

Music India OnLine - Audio Review : Mangal Pandey - The Rising - Built according to the screenplay:

"Producer: Bobby Bedi, Deepa Sahi
Director: Ketan Mehta
Cast: Amir Khan, Amisha Patel, Rani Mukherjee
Music: A R Rahman
Singers: Kailash Kher, Sukhwinder Singh, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Reena Bharadwaj, Udit Narayan, Madhushree, Srinivas, Chinmaye, Richa Sharma, Bonnie Chakraborty, Kartick Das Baul, A.R.Rehman,Murtaza, Kadir.


‘Mangal Pandey - The Rising’ is one of the most anticipated and much awaited movie of the recent time. The film is expected to be a feat to the eyes with the frontline ensemble of stars, an innovative producer and director, one of a kind story of a freedom fighter and from the kitty of the best production house of the country. ‘Mangal Pandey’ is built on a huge canvas and is the biggest film of the millennium.

The film is a Bobby Bedi - Deepa Sahi production, directed by Ketan Mehta and distributed by Yashraj Films. Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel and Toby Stephens play the lead. The film has music by the legendary A.R. Rehman and the lyrics are by veteran Javed Akhtar. The film is expected to exceed all boundaries and the music is also expected on the similar line and length. The music has been built on a large orchestra and was recorded in Prague.

The album begins with the title song ‘Mangal Mangal’ in the unique voice of Kailash Kher. The song enlightens the era of the 19th century before our eyes. Though the music is periodic, yet it is very lively and energetic. Kailash Kher appears in his fine form with his earthy voice and glides through the song with sheer comfort. This is the first version of the track. The two more versions ‘Agni’ and ‘Aatma’ are rendered by him, in association with Sukhwinder Singh. For all the three tracks, the basic thread of the tune remains the same, it’s the lyrics which differs.

The music director quotes that the song ‘Main Vari Vari’ a mujra was the most difficult to compose. And this is well evident from the outcome of the track. The composition is really very intricate and complex. The song is featured on Rani Mukherjee in the film. The song is high in rhythm, energetic and yet very subtle and melodic. Kavita Krishnamurthy and Reena Bharadwaj get behind the mike and heighten the effect of the track.

Reviving the festive season of color is the song ‘Holi Re’. The song has the tempo that is reminiscent to Rehman’s ‘Daud’ and Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s ‘Bunty Aur Babli’. Rendered by Udit Narayan, Madhushree, Srinivas and Chinmaye, the song will be enjoyed in the film. Aamir Khan also supports with his interludes. However it fails to fall in the category of the legendary holi tracks of Bollywood.

Passion and love entwine the next song ‘Rasiya’. The track appears more of the kind of an item number rendered in the voices of Richa Sharma and Bonnie Chakraborty. Love and seduction are the watchwords of the track. The song is moderately slow and definitely not one of the histrionics by Rehman. The song lacks excitement and musical cadence.


Javed Akhtar needs a special mentioning for the philosophical ‘Takey Takey’. Beautiful and thematical words hold the strength of the track. Sukhwinder Singh gives his very best making the song cherishing and pleasant at the same time. The song is catchy and fast paced and the nuances of Kailash Kher and Kartick Das Baul at the background make it an appreciable one.

A devotional and situational track ‘Al Maddath Maula’ is wielded by A.R.Rehman, Kailash Kher, Murtaza and Kadir. Though as an audio piece the track lacks strength to stand by itself, in the film it is sure to stir and excite.

‘Mangal Pandey’ is not the kind of sound track that we come across everyday. The album is different and built according to the screenplay rather than for pleasant listening. Most of the tracks are situational and will flow with the film. The effort of A.R.Rehman and Javed Akhtar to bring out the desired result is evident and they walk away with applaud for the kind of work they’ve infused in the number.


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