Music Review: BOSE THE FORGOTTEN HERO

Producer: Sahara One Motion Pictures
Director: Shyam Benegal
Singers: A R Rahman, Western Choir Chennai, Vijay Prakash, Mumbai Film Choir, Sonu Nigam, Nechiketa Chakrobarty, Anuradha Sriram, Rafi Rakeeb, Shoukat Ali, Sapna Mukherjee and Satyanaran Mishra
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A R Rahman
Audio: Times Music
Songs: 20

1) Azadi (A R Rahman and Western Choir Chennai)
This patriotic album begins the journey with ‘Azadi’ sung by the maestro A R Rahman and Western Choir Chennai. Rahman renders it with perfection and Western Choir Chennai appears to be an ample-enthusiastic support. The background chorus, chipping in ‘Jay Hind’, appeals the most. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics portray the freedom theme flawlessly. A R Rahman as usual spells magic with the music making the song an audible piece for the listeners.
Rating: 8.5/10

2) Kadam Kadam (Vijay Prakash and Mumbai Film Choir)
‘Kadam Kadam’ is the next frame on the screen. Vijay Prakash and Mumbai Film Choir are very enticing as far as the vocals are concerned. The soothing blend of drumming and baja seems alluring. Lyrics are thematic and hold value whereas the tunes are heart warming. A good song to listen to.
Rating: 8/10

3) Ekla Chalo (Sonu Nigam, Nechiketa Chakraborty)
Next you are offered a syrupy number, ‘Ekla Chalo’. Nechiketa is sugary in rendition and Sonu is a class in himself. The song bags attention in terms of lyrics and music also. A luminous track to be with.
Rating: 8.5/10

4) Hum Dilli Dilli Jayenge (Mumbai Film Choir)
Mumbai Film Choir men once again impress with the lines they sing with gusto. Akhtar and Rahman both deserve applause for the tasks (lyrics and music) they have done with brilliance.
Rating: 8/10

5) Desh Ki Mitti (Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Sriram)
This song is about the sweet memories of one’s own land, which one misses enormously while being oceans away from own country. A soft number, it features the gorgeous voices of Sonu Nigam and Anuradha Sriram, who inject life in the atmosphere. The fusion of tabla and jhankaar makes spongy sounds. ‘Desh Ki Mitti’ is a saccharine piece that makes sweet hearing if you are living in a foreign land but it equally lures to other people also. It can be heard repeatedly. The joys remain the same every time you play it.
Rating: 9/10

6) Zikr (A R Rehman, Rafi Rakeeb and Shoukat Ali)
Following next is a Zikr of Allah sung by Rahman, Rafi and Shoukat with superb brilliance. Javed Akhtar pens in worthy lyrics, which are soul warming. Rahman dins in with the well-orchestrated music. This track aptly satisfies the soul and you go for the repeat button time and again. This is the best song of the album.
Rating: 9.5/10

7) Ghoomparani (Sapna Mukherjee and Satyanaran Mishra)
Sapna Mukherjee with the mushy voice and Satyanaran Mishra with the well-delivered rags sound spellbinding. The instruments’ arrangement and flute in particular deserve special mention. The number is fine-looking both lyrically and musically as well.
Rating: 8/10

8) Durga Pooja (Rhythm)
Knowing the requirement of the theme, Rahman stages the orchestra, which utterly goes well with this instrumental.
Rating: 8/10

9) Netaji Theme 01 (Instrumental)
Rahman excels in this instrumental of Netaji and lures you in full.
Rating: 8/10

10) Afghanistan Theme 01 (Instrumental)
A R Rahman’s exposure is vast and that is crystal clear in this instrumental of Afghanistan Theme. He gives you a piece to listen, which straightaway shows you the land of Pathans.
Rating: 8.5/10

11) Hitler Theme (Germany)
Since Hitler was known for his cruel behaviour, this instrumental has been arranged keeping the era in mind.
Rating: 8/10

12) Emilie Theme 01 (Instrumental)
This time Rahman fails to register impact with this instrumental version because it’s hard to understand the theme and what is this all about?
Rating: 1/10

13) Afghanistan Theme 02 (Instrumental)
The repetition always spoils the image but some time it does make the mark. In this case, it looks flat.
Rating: 1/10

14) War Themes (Instrumental)
Yes, it sounds good and displays the theme very well.
Rating: 7.5/10

15) Emilie Theme 02 (Instrumental)
An uff sound comes out the mouth due to the vivid reason of a number of instrumentals in a row. You simply skip it.
Rating: 1/10

16) Kadam Kadam Barhaye Ja (Orchestrated Version)
Not appealing at all since the instruments do not carry any weight.
Rating: 1/10

17) Desh Ki Mitti (Orchestrated Version)
You say “No” for further instrumentals since enough is enough now. The patience has lost altogether. Wonder, why Rahman wants to prove his intelligence and creativity through the instrumentals only. Admit, he likes instrumentals always and this picture is very clear in his shows where the fans have to listen instrumental veriosns more than vocal versions. Huh. The maestro you should also focus on your fans’ liking instead of just following what you want…!
Rating: 1/10

18) U Boat Theme (Underwater Battle)
Again… You instantly press the forward button to avoid the devastating effects of this instrumental.
Rating: 1/10

19) Netaji Theme 02 (Instrumental)
The makers and the musician want the play list to be longer which is why the gap has been filled with the whopping amount of instrumentals in one soundtrack.
Rating: 1/10

20) Jana Gana Mana – National Anthem (Fallorcharl Version)
A good way to conclude the album with a national anthem. Anyway it ofcourse raises the spirits.
Rating: 8/10

Overall:
‘Bose – The Forgotten Hero’ is undoubtedly for the selective class of the listeners. For the youngsters and the college going youth, it holds no value at all. Abundant of instrumentals have destroyed the beauty of the soundtrack otherwise it glides well as far as the theme of patriotism is concerned. Nonetheless, the album is audible.
Overall Rating: 7.5/10

REVIEWED BY GOHER IQBAL PUNN (Bollywood Analyst)