2011 Mid-year Bollywood music report card

It’s that time of the year when mid-year report cards are out. So while quite a few films have now worked in quick succession with Murder 2, Delhi Belly and Double Dhamaal resulting in a hat trick, the music hasn’t achieved a similar feat right through the year. Yes, Read More">a few albums have done wellRead More

It's that time of the year when mid-year report cards are out. So while quite a few films have now worked in quick succession with Murder 2, Delhi Belly and Double Dhamaal resulting in a hat trick, the music hasn't achieved a similar feat right through the year. Yes, a few albums have done well but by and large I feel that it hasn't been an overtly memorable musical outing so far. Yes, there were some soundtracks that boasted of good to very good songs. However, that didn't necessarily translate into widespread popularity. Hence, keeping the 'goodness' quotient aside and basically reflecting on what was and wasn't quite popular amongst the audience, here is presenting how top composers have performed in this year so far.

Pritam

Wow - Ready

Pritam's biggest success this year has turned out to be Ready which ironically comprises of only three songs from him. So while he can stake claim for 'Character Dheela' which turned out to be huge indeed, he had to share credits with Devi Sri Prasad for 'Dhinka Chika' which was a chartbuster in its own right.

Hmmm....okay - Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, Dum Maaro Dum, Thank You

Meanwhile Pritam also delivered some albums that saw okay-dokay reactions from the audience. Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji was good but lack of that quintessential chartbuster song that differentiates an Emraan Hashmi soundtrack from the rest went missing. Biggest highlight of Dum Maaro Dum was ironically the title song that was not even his original composition. He was unlucky though with 'Razia' from Thank You not quite turning out to be successful despite carrying good potential.

Not happening - Always Kabhi Kabhi, Kucch Luv Jaisa

As for Always Kabhi Kabhi, it was a big letdown for Shah Rukh and Pritam combination after Billu. With not even a single number turning out to be memorable, it sunk without a trace. On the other hand, Kucch Luv Jaisa boasted of at least a couple of melodious tracks but bare minimum promotion means that it just went unnoticed. Perhaps Pritam may just want to rehash one of these tracks for another biggie of his.

What's in store this year - Tell Me O Kkhuda, Mausam, I Love New Year, Players

What say?

Busiest of the lot just like it has been the case for Pritam during last 3-4 years, the composer has done okay though even he would acknowledge that far better is expected out of him whenever a film carries his name tag. Continuing to operate in volumes, his strike rate hasn't been as impressive as it was till last year. Still, there is potential for improvement with the aforementioned biggies lined up in quick succession. However, all said and done, even Pritam would be conscious about audience expectations in months to come and can hardly be expected to be complacent.

Vishal-Shekhar

Wow - None

Hmmm....okay - None

Not happening - Bbuddah...Hoga Terra Baap

Vishal-Shekhar have been surprisingly lying low all through the year after an exceptional 'Sheila Ki Jawani' from last Christmas that continues to play on. However, let aside creating something of an ideal follow up, they couldn't quite come up with anything memorable whatsoever with Bbuddah...Hoga Terra Baap. The music here didn't quite find many takers as a result of which Vishal-Shekhar have stepped into the second half of the year without a success to their name.

What's in store this year - Ra.One, Kahaani, Rascals, The Dirty Picture

What say?

Talking about an ideal follow up to 'Sheila Ki Jawani', there is already a buzz in the air that 'Chammak Challo' (Ra.One) should do the trick. Touted to be the biggest soundtrack of the year due to international collaborations with Akon leading the pack, Ra.One should help Vishal-Shekhar in making an impact all over again. A masala outing like Rascals should further round it up all with Kahaani and The Dirty Picture filling in the slots of 'something different'. Overall, a comfortable position for the musical duo.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy Wow – Patiala House The only album which has truly worked for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy this year is Patiala House. Film’s disappointing box office run means that there was an impact felt on songs’ popularity as well. However, Read More">the composer trio can take solace from the fact that at least a couple of songsRead More

Shankar Ehsaan Loy

Wow - Patiala House

The only album which has truly worked for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy this year is Patiala House. Film's disappointing box office run means that there was an impact felt on songs' popularity as well. However, the composer trio can take solace from the fact that at least a couple of songs from the film are continuing to find repeat slots on music channels.

Hmmm....okay - Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

As expected from a Farhan Akhtar film, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara too boasts of a classy score. However, it hasn't quite reached the top of the popularity charts despite the fact that the film releases this Friday. 'Senorita' has done well but rest may just manage to find their bearing if at all the film is successful.

Not happening - Game, Zokkomon

The same classiness was attempted for Game as well but the songs turned out to be one of the major down points of the thriller. Not even a single track turned out to be memorable and same was the case with their much delayed Zokkomon which just came and went.

What's in store this year - Don 2, Delhi Safari, Aarakshan

What say?

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would now be placing their highest bet on Don 2, yet another Farhan Akhtar production. Momentum is yet to build for the music of Aarakshan and not much is known about it. Delhi Safari is an animation film which further curtails commercial prospects for the soundtrack. The trio is indeed going through some rough times in Bollywood though one is hopeful that they would bounce back!

Vishal Bhardwaj

Wow - None

Hmmm....okay - 7 Khoon Maaf

There were expectations that music of 7 Khoon Maaf would go the whole hog, especially since it had Priyanka Chopra in the lead. However except for 'Darling', none of the other songs found much attention for themselves. There were a couple of rock tracks that indeed had potential but once the film failed at the box office, the music too couldn't stand on its feet.

Not happening - None

What's in store this year - None

What say?

2011 has been a non-happening year for Vishal Bhardwaj and would end on a quiet note as well. For a composer whose music is much awaited by niche audience at the least, this isn't quite good news. However, since Vishal works at his own pace and mainly composes only for himself or for close associates, he can't be expected to be overtly worried.

Read More">Sachin-Jigar Wow – F.A.L.T.U. It was long time ago when ‘Chaar Baj Gaye‘ but the fact remains that the ‘party abhi bhi baaki hai’. Sachin-Jigar had made a modest beginning with Tere Sang last year but hints of brilliance were pretty much on display then itself. The confidence shown in them for F.A.L.T.U. was notRead More

Sachin-Jigar

Wow - F.A.L.T.U.

It was long time ago when 'Chaar Baj Gaye' but the fact remains that the 'party abhi bhi baaki hai'. Sachin-Jigar had made a modest beginning with Tere Sang last year but hints of brilliance were pretty much on display then itself. The confidence shown in them for F.A.L.T.U. was not undone as the composer duo belted out over half a dozen chartbuster tracks for a single film. Their songs were a major contributor to the film battling even World Cup finals and eventually turning out to be a winner.

Hmmm....okay - Shor- In The City

There was limited scope to perform in Shor - In The City and though as an album it didn't quite go the whole hog, there were songs like 'Saibo' and 'Karma Is a Bitch' that did find some audience. However the kind of nationwide popularity was missing this time around.

Not happening - None

What's in store this year - Hum Tum Shabana

What say?

Just like other new composers who have struck gold this year, even Sachin-Jigar would have to wait till next year to find things getting better for them. For now they would have to be content with Hum Tum Shabana about which nothing can really be predicted. However, buzz around the talented duo is good and one hopes that they justify a good beginning which they have enjoyed.

Krsna

Wow - Tanu Weds Manu

No one had heard of Krsna before Tanu Weds Manu happened. In fact even when 'Saddi Galli' was turning out to be a chartbuster, not many expected that it would go the whole hog. But then many other songs started working as well and till the time F.A.L.T.U., Ready and Delhi Belly happened, it was the sound of Tanu Weds Manu all the way.

Hmmm....okay - None

Not happening - None

What's in store this year - None

What say?

Krnsa is now expected to be inundated with offers to compose music which carry a rustic feel with 'mitti ki khushboo'. It would be interesting to see though if he now aims at experimenting with sound as well. Though there is nothing for him in the pipeline this year, expect Krsna to be heard a lot more next year.

Himesh Reshammiya (No releases) Wow – N/A Hmmm….okay – N/A Not happening – N/A What’s in store this year – Bodyguard, Damadamm! What say? With no musical release so far this year, Himesh Reshammiya has bagged one of the biggest projects of his career in the form of Bodyguard. With Salman Khan in tow, Read More">thereRead More

Himesh Reshammiya (No releases)

Wow - N/A

Hmmm....okay - N/A

Not happening - N/A

What's in store this year - Bodyguard, Damadamm!

What say?

With no musical release so far this year, Himesh Reshammiya has bagged one of the biggest projects of his career in the form of Bodyguard. With Salman Khan in tow, there is no reason why Himesh should go wrong. The romantic subject too demands good music and with claims of a huge music bank already in place, the composer is expected to extract the best of his best for Bodyguard. If at all there is a film to bounce back with in a big way, it has to be this. It can be said with confidence that Himesh won't blow away this huge opportunity to be back in the business of composing for outside films.

A.R. Rahman (No releases)

Wow - N/A

Hmmm....okay - N/A

Not happening - N/A

What's in store this year - Rockstar

What say?

Rahman has had a quiet year so far with no Bollywood releases at all. However, he is all set to make a huge impact musically with his only release Rockstar carrying good reports. The only point of concern though is whether the film will eventually see the light of the day this year or perhaps next. To mitigate such concerns, one does feel that Rahman could have picked up more so that his fans and followers would have had something to cherish.

Sajid-Wajid (No releases) Wow – N/A Hmmm….okay – N/A Not happening – N/A What’s in store this year – Chatur Singh Two Star, Chala Mussaddi – Office Office What say? For the composers who gave two of the best soundtracks last year in the form of Dabangg and Veer, Read More">Sajid-Wajid have been rather quiet rightRead More

Sajid-Wajid (No releases)

Wow - N/A

Hmmm....okay - N/A

Not happening - N/A

What's in store this year - Chatur Singh Two Star, Chala Mussaddi - Office Office

What say?

For the composers who gave two of the best soundtracks last year in the form of Dabangg and Veer, Sajid-Wajid have been rather quiet right through 2011. With no releases so far and Chatur Singh Two Star (a delayed release) and Chala Mussaddi - Office Office (situational) being their only soundtracks lines up before end of year, Sajid-Wajid are expected to end the year on an inconsequential note. However they are expected to have reserved their best with half a dozen biggies lined up for 2012.

Ram Sampat

Wow - Delhi Belly

At the beginning of the year, if at all someone would have remarked that the biggest single chartbuster at the half way mark would be delivered by a man called Ram Sampat, the common reaction would have been - 'Bhaag.... ^&$%^'. However the unthinkable has happened with this relatively new composer (remembered most for his infamous battle with Rakesh Roshan) has created a nation wide frenzy with 'Bhaag DK Bose'.

Hmmm....okay - None

Not happening - Luv Ka The End

This is the reason why even though he is the same man who created a forgettable soundtrack in Luv Ka The End, one remembers him now for Delhi Belly. His 'Tonight' from the film still reverberates but rest of the soundtrack hardly worked. Moreover, it just didn't reach the audience with even the so-called potential chartbuster 'Mutton' biting the dust.

What's in store this year - None

What say?

For the remainder of the year, Sampat is expected to be quiet since all biggies have already been taken away by other composers. However, 2011 could well be Sampat's busiest year till date of his career as many in the industry are already compelling him to make yet an other 'DK Bose' for them. Would he agree? Let's see!

In addition

In addition there were other composers as well who made a mark musically. Though the music here didn't quite achieve chartbuster status, there was enough in store to make one look forward to what these composers have to offer in films to come:

- Harshit Saxena, Sangeet & Siddharth Haldipur, Mithoon (Murder 2)

- Amit Trivedi (No One Killed Jessica, Chillar Party)

- Clinton Cerejo, Hitesh Soni, Luv Ranjan, Ad Boys (Pyaar Ka Punchnama)

- Nishat Khan (Yeh Saali Zindagi)

- Chirantan Bhatt (Haunted)

- Prashant Pillai, Ranjit Barot, Amar Mohile, Anupam Roy (Shaitan)