- Sreya Sunil

Let me take you into a short flashback before I flash you with the audio review.

Scene 1: 8 March 2002 - After the debacle of Seema Simham, Balakrishna announced his next project under the direction of V.Samudra, who debuted with moderately successful Simharaasi [Rajasekhar, Sakshi Sivanand]. Daring and dashing pics of Balayya [as Balakrishna is fondly called by his fans] in a National Security Guard's getup were splashed to the media and the movie was launched amidst a lot of pomp and fanfare with a powerful dialogue - 'Ee desamlo manushule kaaduraa … matti kooda matlaaduthundi'.

Scene 2: 28 March 2002 - NTR's Aadi released without any expectations. The music was not a rage, the movie itself was dubbed as yet another seema theme and the dialogues by Paruchuri brothers lacked punch. But it was one person who pulled off the movie with aplomb catapulting NTR to a star league. And suddenly VV Vinayak became the cynosure of all eyes. Such was the impression he weaved on Balayya that Balayya immediately decided to shelve the film with Samudra and let this new enthusiastic director helm his next project.

Scene 3: 10 May 2002 - Balayya - Vinayak's project under Sri Sai Ganesh Productions banner flagged off and the technical crew was announced.

Strange are the ways of Telugu film industry. But don't they say success speaks for itself. Then who are we to whine? Of course it is we, the audience, who add the shine of success to these shining stars. Anyway, lets talk business.

Mani Sharma who has been giving music to Balayya's films since the mega blockbuster Samara Simha Reddy (SSR) comes up with many mass songs for Chenna Kesava Reddy which is his fifth film with Balayya [Narasimha Naidu (NN), Bhalevadivi Basu (BVB) and Seema Simham (SS) being the remaining ones]. In a bid to deliver what's expected out of him, and what's anticipated from the music of this movie, Mani Sharma comes up with mass beats sidelining melody which was so much a part of the racy mass songs of SSR and NN. Nevertheless his score for this movie is far better than his last two offerings [for BVB and SS]. The success range of this audio depends on the success of the movie.

1. Dont Care (Listen)
A mandatory hero introduction song laced with good beats on the lines of 'Naluguriki' from Takkari Donga [which according to me is the best hero introduction song till date]. Shankar Mahadevan sings this song in his usual style. Chandrabose delivers good lyrics for this song in which Balayya educates us with some good food for thought. Care or Don't Care but here's wishing you bon appétit.

2. Hai Hai (Listen)
Though this song reminds us of some old songs, it impresses in the very first listening. SPB and Sunitha sing this hayi hayi song in a hayi [pleasant] manner. Veturi's lyrics are passable. The 'tak dhinna tak dhinna tandana' part of this song is what that makes you hum this song even after you stop listening to it.

3. Bakra Bakra (Listen)
A high energy teasing song with catchy words bakra bakra [Thanks to MTV's Bakra program, bakra is now a household word used synonymously for dumbo] Chandrabose is one lyricist among the current lot who not only comes up with some funny yet witty words like bhamachari, prempandu etc., but also uses some of the existing ones effectively. He dishes out funny lyrics for this song sung by Udit Narayan and Chitra. Commenting (on former) and complimenting (the latter) would only make me sound cliché tic.

4. Nee Koppulo (Listen)
A perfect mass song written by Srinivas that talks about malle thota, cheruku thota, nadumu madatha, katti lanti choopu, patti lanti soku and much more. While this song says salaam salaam to such verbiage, I wonder why lyricists are becoming ghulam ghulam to such mindless galore. SPB and Kousalya sing this song, which is a perfect example where Mani Sharma not only recycles some of his old beats but also borrows some beats from 'Made for each other' song of Shatruvu. Check out the line that talks about 'nandamuri nyzam' in this song.

5. Yem Pilla Kusalama (Listen)
A good melodious song where the orchestration and chorus stand out. Sirivennela's lyrics, though nothing to rave about, sound very good in contrast to Veturi's lyrics in 'hayi hayi' song. SPB and Sujatha, barring their sudden and jerky high pitches, sing this one with ease.

6. Telupu Telupu (Listen)
But for the intelligent usage of telupu [white/convey] and nalupu [black/crush] by Chandrabose there is nothing I ought to telupu [convey] about this song. Sung by SPB and Chitra, this is an ordinary song with a high dosage of mass beats.

Balayya's recent attempts at roping in one-hit old directors for Bhalevadivi Basu [directed by P A Arun Prasad whose first film was Tammudu] and Seema Simham [directed by G Ram Prasad whose first film was Chirunavvutho] did not prove successful. It would be thus interesting to watch the fate of Chenna Kesava Reddy at the box-office. All we can hope for time being is all's well that ends well.

Sreya's Picks: Yem Pilla Kusalama?, Hayi Hayi & Bakra Bakra (for its funny lyrics)

Click here to read the other articles by Sreya Sunil

Other audio reviews by Sreya Sunil
Okato Number Kurraadu
Sontham
Baba
Holi
Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru
Allari Ramudu
Indra
Jayam
Sreeram
Kanulu Moosina Neevaye
Vasu
Santosham

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