Mohenjo Daro Review {4.0/5} & Review Rating
EXPECTATIONS
Now this one is expected to be special. Six years after his last directorial outing [Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey], filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker is returning with Mohenjo Daro. He is also reuniting with Hrithik Roshan, A.R. Rahman and Javed Akhtar eight years after Jodhaa Akbar [2008]. Considering the fact that the film is set in period era and is the oldest story ever told in the current times, there is huge anticipation around what Mohenjo Daro would have to offer, more so from the music perspective since there is absolutely no reference point whatsoever. One waits to be surprised with what the team brings on here.
MUSIC
There is an interesting chorus that is heard right at the beginning in a language unheard of before the sound of 'Mohenjo Mohenjo' is heard. While A.R. Rahman kick-starts the proceedings, it is the voice of Arijit Singh that actually looms large right through the six and a half minute duration of the song. A song that actually introduces the civilization of Mohenjo Daro and how the essence of togetherness came into existence back then, this one has a good sound to it with Bela Shende and Sanah Moidutty chipping in as the female vocalists. This one should make a good impact when heard and seen on the big screen.
Yet again, there is a unique sound right at the start of 'Sindhu Ma' and while one wonders what it is all about, the voice of Sanah Moidutty brings in good clarity to the proceedings. The girl has been heard sporadically in not-so-popular songs over last half a decade but gets her big break, courtesy A.R. Rahman, who uses her voice quite effectively. Meanwhile, the composer brings himself behind the mike as well in the song which praises Sindhu [Indus] river, before it merges with the sound of romantic track 'Tu Hai'.
A little later, the song 'Tu Hai' arrives in its full version and yet again it has the combo of A.R. Rahman and Sanah Moidutty that makes the proceedings quite magical. A beautiful composition which has the trademark poetry of Javed Akhtar only accentuated further due to some effective vocals coming into play, it has an intoxicating appeal to it which lingers in your mind long after it has been heard once. While the music of A.R. Rahman has often been known to catch on after a few listening, 'Tu Hai' actually works in the first time itself.
In the middle of this all, new voices Shashwat Singh and Shashaa Tirupati are heard for 'Sarsariya' which has a rhythmic base to it. There is a good combo of instruments coming into play and while an unheard of language kick-starts the proceedings yet again (with Shashaa doing really well), soon after Hindi lyrics come into play as well. On the same lines as 'San Sanana Nan' [Asoka], this one has a sweet feel to it while being set in a style that indeed sounds ancient. Still, A.R. Rahman and Javed Akhtar do well to not make the proceedings boring and bring on Shashwat at the right point of the song in order to keep the pace up.
What follows next is a series of theme/instrumental tracks. Arjun Chandy takes center-stage for the first couple of tracks - 'Whispers Of The Mind' and 'Whispers Of The Heart'. By the sound of it, these appear to be set in the time of night as you can hear some faint voices with a degree of darkness all around. Haunting in appeal, these tracks are quite specific to the film's narrative, though they do play their role in establishing the essence of Mohenjo Daro.
The sound of 'Tu Hai' is heard again in 'The Shimmer Of Sindhu' and it is quite remarkable how Keba Jeremiah and Kareem Kamalakar bring simple instruments into play to make this a piece that you would love to play on loop. A beautiful composition, it is worthy to find an entry into your 'favorites' collection. Ditto for 'Lakh Lakh Thora' which has its base in 'Sarsariya' and is brought to life by Tapas Roy and PMK Naveen Kumar. Mesmerising!
OVERALL
The music of Mohenjo Daro truly works for the film as well as a standalone soundtrack. While there was a good deal of anticipation around what A.R. Rahman, Javed Akhtar and Ashutosh Gowariker would have to offer here, there was also apprehension around how the music would fit well with the period era and yet be appealing to the current audience. Well, all such apprehensions are quashed in this 37 minute soundtrack that can be quite comfortably played on loop.
OUR PICK(S)
'Tu Hai', 'Sarsariya', 'The Shimmer Of Sindhu', 'Mohenjo Mohenjo'
