“Heeramandi” is a testament to Bhansali’s unerring ability to craft cinematic experiences that are as immersive as they are aesthetically pleasing. It is a series that transcends mere entertainment, inviting audiences to partake in a journey that is as much an exploration of a bygone era as it is a reflection on the timeless themes of love, power, and survival. The series stands as a beacon of Bhansali’s storytelling prowess, a narrative that is both grand and intimate, a spectacle that is as much about the spectacle as it is about the human condition. It is, ultimately, a series that not only captivates but also compels introspection on the epoch it portrays.
Music Review: Amar Singh Chamkila (2024)
In the realm of contemporary Bollywood soundscapes, the auditory experience furnished by the 2024 film “Amar Singh Chamkila” emerges as a distinguished and laudable exception. The soundtrack, a confluence of A.R. Rahman’s musical ingenuity and Irshad Kamil’s lyrical prowess, is an exquisite homage to the life and legacy of the eponymous Punjabi folk legend, Amar Singh Chamkila.
Music Review: Ijaazat (1987)
Ijaazat might have not been a hit in its initial release, but as years grew on, the audience realized why this movie was so ahead of its time. Thanks to Gulzar and R. D. Burman, Ijaazat somewhat bridged the gap between art-house and commercial cinema. The music of Ijaazat has lived immortally and only grew on the audience as time went by. It has now been 36 years since the release of the film, and we are still writing reviews on the soundtrack.
Music Review: Devdas (2002)
Ismail Darbar is a name to be reckoned with, I mention this in the present tense as his caliber of work remains strong even after Devdas. If at any point in time, one goes back and looks at these compositions, you will realize the detailing involved in each of his songs. In Devdas particular he enriches the story to such an extent that one cannot simply ignore the songs, or even forget the meaningful layering behind them.
Blu Ray Review: Mughal-E-Azam (1960)
Mughal-E-Azam is a classic, in the absolute form, there is no debate on this. It would have been great to have gotten the full movie with the Black & White version remastered in HD with all it’s original aspects.
Music Review: Utsav (1984)
Laxmikant Pyarelal remain a force to reckon with, even today, years after they stopped composing. Last year (2019) alone saw many of their songs being remade, not that i appreciate the remakes, but the Composers popularity still stands strong. They created anthems for the nation and actors that created hysteria, soulful songs that represented all relationships and they remained on the hearts and lips of Everyone. Utsav carried the same appeal and whilst its popularity only grew as time passed, Its class and quality remain constant.
Music Review: Gaman (1978)
Jaidev Verma (commonly known as Jaidev), a name synonymous with brilliant musical scores, yet the world seems to have forgotten this genius. Unduly underrated and forgotten by his peers and the film world, his music stand bounds apart from the general sound and feel of this film-world. He favoured the Classical music system in his compositions and it came across really creatively. Gaman is definitely a universal soundtrack that will find many admirers, but let us not forget Jaidev and what joy he gave us.
Music Review: Kalank (2019)
Pritamda’s third outing at Dharma Productions should make him feel really proud of his achievements, this was a mammoth task and would have been a really tough assignment for anyone in the music industry, especially looking at the current state of film music. Originality is hard to come by and here Pritam gives us new creations that are to be cherished for a very long time indeed.
Ragas Of The Valley
The warmth of the November sun shone brightly on this spectacular summer Sunday; as if a prelude to extend to Ragas of The Valley. We are ready to delve deep into the Valleys Of Kashmir and explore through music, their intricacies. Soulful music is upon us in the form of Strings, Wind and Percussion.
Ehsaas
The first ever Ghazal ensemble brought to South Africa by Inner Circle Entertainment heralded a star studded event mirroring the near wintry evening-skies of Johannesburg. It was something I have been looking forward to ever since I have seen the promos, thanks to Nisaar Bhai. Having heard Ustad Shujaat Khan on a previous concert before I was curious as to what he was going to bring to the Ghazal genre. Surinder Khan was an absolute new voice for me, hearing only a snippet of what he has done, the excitement built up.
The Great Bollywood Party 