MUMBAI: Not only have most feature films released in the first half of 2008 bombed at the box office, the year has not proved to be strong musically either.
Of the 30 odd Hindi films released till now, a very small number has managed to give hit scores as compared to the same period last year. There has been a hue and cry about the bad shape of the film industry with the number of duds in the first innings expected to give way to some big hits in the latter half. But can the same be expected of the music scenario?
While Tips Industries’ Race proved to be an out and out success with gliding sales, Jodhaa Akhbar, Jannat, Krazzy 4 caught mass attention too. Vishal-Shekhar’s De Taali turned out a little off-colour, while A R Rahman’s musical journey – Ada, though delightful, didn’t enjoy a stint on the charts for too long. What turned out to be an unexpected disaster was Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic. Films like Tashan bombed along with its music. Not expected to click, UTV’s Aamir took the listeners by surprise. Since the album was not promoted well by UTV Spotboy however, the charts didn’t see much of newbie Amit Trivedi’s creations there. From the non-released films bracket, the music of which have already hit the stores, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Love Story 2050 are combating the top position on the chartbusters. While the former’s music is directed by Rahman, Anu Malek has scored distinctive tracks for this piece of futuristic story. Singh Is Kinng, composed by Pritam Chakraborthy, the latest entrant on the scene, may just click with the audience.
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Says T-Series President – marketing media publishing (TV) Vinod Bhanushali, “Krazzy 4 did good and now Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is doing exceptionally well. Overall, the music scene has not been too good so far. I would say it was because of the IPL, many big banner films were postponed. The second half will have some rocking stuff coming up.”
In contrast to the present picture, 2007 witnessed a heap of roaring film music albums. It was a year of flop-films-doing-great -music. The films may not have prospered at the box office, but won a million hearts with its distinctive music. Awarapan, Salaame- E- Ishq, Anwar, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Cash, Goal, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Naqaab, are a few that did exceptionally well. Although films like Saawariya and
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom couldn’t rake in expected revenues, their respective music bought in amazing sales. Among the superhit films with superhit albums were, Om Shanti Om, Life in a metro, Taare Zameen Par, Partner, Guru, Welcome, Namaste London, Bhool Bhulaiya, Jab We Met and a few more. The hits didn’t ramp up in one season alone, rather, were well spread throughout 2007. What may come as a surprise is that the music chartbusters of this year still have the good ol’ hits of last year.
“As compared to 2007, the first half of this year has been pretty drab. All expected big releases will happen during Diwali, Eid and Christmas,” states trade analyst Taran Adarsh. On being asked if the quality of music is suffering since most composers are now being seen on reality shows, he says, “Absolutely. Like films, they have sub-plots now. Their main focus of composing for films has shifted now.” According to Adarsh, Race and Jannat managed wonderful sales, while Jodhaa Akbar didn’t do bad either, but it did lack mass appeal.
The last half of ’08 is gearing up for Salim Sulaiman’s Eight By Ten, Fashion, Aashayein and Bemisaal, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi; A R Rahman’s Dilli 6, Ghajini and Yuvraaj; Vishal-Shekhar’s Dostana, Alladin and the Magic Lamp and Bachna Ae Haseenon; Sajid-Wajid’s Heroes, God Tussi Great Ho, Wanted Dead or Alive, Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge, Hello and Paying Guest; four untitled Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy projects.
With some supposed high resolution projects expected in the next six months, the music industry may just rev up big time.
