On a song

Songs in Hindi cinema,though they play a very important role in making a film successful,are the biggest casualty of the western style of filmmaking.

Dum Maaro Dum it was,last week and I quite liked the film. What didnt impress me though was the song Mit jaaye gham! The iconic song (renamed and remixed) which was all about rebellionthe essence of youthdid not make an impact with its new avatar. The defiant line Duniya ki parvah karen kyun? with its care-a-damn attitude reflected so ably in Zeenat Amans smoked abandon failed to find a match in Dippys gyrations.

The lyrics,for one,didnt meet the high standards set by the original and neither did the musical score. DMD is not alone. Few remixes/adaptations of iconic Hindi songs have been successful in recreating the original magic. It could be that overtaking a song/music/film so big in the popularity stakes,is tough,if not altogether an impossible job. Bachna Ae Haseeno and the more recent Yamla Pagla Deewana are the rare exceptions that come to mind.

In recent times,productions are far slicker than we ever remember them and the scope of storytelling far expanded with sophisticated technology,but music,songs in particular,has been a casualty to new Bollywoods western approach to cinema. The distancing from a more traditional,over-the-top style necessitates songs being relegated to the background. The result is there for all to hearmusic that at best is hummable and at worst,unbearable.

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Considering the poor recall of present day chartbusters its time that makers put their attention back into the songs,for what is Bollywood without its song-and-dance routine?

Friendly visits
Meanwhile,Hollywood visits have become more frequent and businesslike. Though the larger number of visits are still reserved for incredible and exotic India,leading names can occasionally be seen in and around Mumbai for shooting assignments. After Danny Boyle worked his magic with Mumbai slums and landed himself the top honours there is a greater interest to tap into the citys innards. Recently there was Michael Winterbottom shooting for his film with Freida Pinto while Tom Cruises Mission Impossible was being shot in Mumbai sans the big stars who had shot in Dubai and Vancouver. However,these sightings are few and far-between. Mumbai has lost out to friendly neighbour Dubai. The citys bid to make itself a serious contender on the global map has driven its need for Hollywood imports. The lavish parties at fancy hotels and mansions of Dubai attended by Hollywood and Bollywood stars (Gerard Butler,Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan among others) are a big draw. Unfortunately Mumbais glitterati parties are no longer glittering enough to match the Dubai bling.

Fairytale romance
And speaking of lavish parties,the biggest one in recent timePrince Williams and Catherine Middletons wedding,will be on air on BBC Entertainment. I will certainly be glued to my TV set,eagerly lapping up every irrelevant detail. After all,its not every day that you get to watch a fairytale romance,live.