Shekar Kammula may not be a director that the masses go gaga over like Puri Jagan or Rajamouli or VV Vinayak but when it comes to multiplex thronging crowds and NRIs, he is one reason people would bet their dough and book their tickets in advance. Anand and Godavari may not have fared as well in India as they did overseas but Shekar has undeniably become a name to reckon with in the Telugu film industry. Also, that’s the reason we have devoted one whole paragraph on him in this review. Well not exactly that but his new movie has no big stars and stars new faces – Sandesh, Nikhil, Vamsi Krishna Raahul, Tamanna, Gayatri Rao, Monali Chowdary & Sonia – so, clearly there is not much to talk about the main leads.

If KM Radhakrishnan gave us haunting melodies soaked in rich classical music in Anand and Godavari, Shekar teams with Mickey J Meyer for Happy Days to serve us zingy yet dulcet numbers that leave us happy, for sure. Regardless of the movie’s outcome at the box office Mickey is bound to garner much deserved recognition. His orchestration is like that of a seasoned musician and his choice of singers is appropriate and appreciable. Enough of enticement, lets get into the details.

1. Arey Re Arey Re
This instantly likeable melody about the guy realizing that he is in love is not only worded nicely by Vanamali but is also sung wonderfully by Karthik. Not only that, the chorus used in this song is quite good too. Mickey’s orchestration, as mentioned above, is top notch.

2. Jil Jil Jinga
This animated number about the day to day life of a student could become an anthem among the youth thanks to new lyricist Venkatesh Patwari’s catchy lyrics that comprise of all quintessential keywords that the youth understand and relate to. Though it has a faint semblance to We will, we will, rock you, this one is impressive. Four local (Hyderabad based) singers – Krishna Chaitanya, Kranthi, Aditya Siddarth, Shashi Kiran – sing this one appreciably bringing out the joie de vivre of youth quite well. Mickey adds a slight rock flavor to this song.

3. Happy Days – Rock Version/Theme song
National Award winner Naresh Iyer (for Rubaroo in Rang De Basanti) and Mickey J Meyer come together again (after a soulful O Chilakamma in Notebook) to give us a gem of a title song. This is a new sound to a Telugu Cinema song and it rocks. Well, it has a nice rock feel to it too. While Naresh is asked to sing the main lines, Mickey does all the humming and croons the words happy days.

If the above is the rock version, there’s a soft, melodious version of the title song named ‘Theme song’ sung by Harshika, Mickey and chorus. This makes for a very pleasant listening and is equally good as its rock counterpart.

These are the only two songs penned by Veturi in this album.

4. Oh My Friend
An excellent number extolling the importance of a friend and friendship. Vanamali’s lyrics shine brighter than a star and Karthik, with his enthralling vocals, bowls you over proving that he has evolved into a seasoned artiste in a very short time. Mickey maintains a nice tempo throughout the song adding a slight upbeat orchestration in the second interlude. Overall, what a song! If slow songs are your cup of tea (or should I say coffee keeping in mind the caption of Shekar Kammula’s Anand?), then you just can’t afford to miss this one.

5. Ye Cheekati
This is the only ‘heard before’ kinda song in this album and that’s mainly due to the use of a common music loop that runs in the background. Though fast paced with nice beats thrown in, it doesn’t match up to the standards of other songs in this album. Vanamali’s lyrics are praiseworthy though. Ranjith and Sunitha Sarathy sing this one.

6. Yaakundedu
This is a shloka recited by Pranavi in a heavenly manner. This Keeravani find, has recently sung the popular Rubberu Gaajulu number in Yama Donga. Compare her rendition here with the aforementioned song and you wonder if we have another versatile singer in the making ala Chitra, Sunitha and Usha.

Mickey J Meyer and Vanamali, after a successful (musically speaking) Notebook, add yet another feather to their caps with Happy Days. Yes Veturi’s title song rocks too. If you’ve waited for a soundtrack that is devoid of nonsensical, out of place, unnecessary rap in the songs. If you’ve longed for an album that shuns crass mass songs/item songs and serves us fresh, lively and melodious numbers then look no further than Happy Days. Clearly, this one ranks very high among the very few good albums that have come out this year in Telugu. Looks like Shekar Kammula already has a winner in his hands.

Big Music forays into Telugu with Happy Days.

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audio reviews by Sundeep Reddy
Shankar Dada Zindabad
Aata
Jagadam
Sainikudu
Boss
Stalin
Amma Cheppindi
Happy
Chukkallo Chandrudu

audio reviews by Sreya Sunil
Balu
Mass
Shankardada MBBS
Gudumba Shankar
Letha Manasulu
Arjun
Naa Autograph
Pallakilo Pellikoothuru
Gharshana
Sri Anjaneyam
Arya
Naani
Nenunnanu
Anji
Varsham
Andhrawala
Kal Ho Naa Ho
LoC Kargil
Shivamani
Okariki Okaru
Boys
Vasantham
Simhadri
Donga Ramudu & Party
Oka Raju Oka Rani
Nijam
Johnny
Raghavendra
Appudappudu
Gangotri
Okkadu
Manmadhudu
Thottigang
Khagam
Eeswar
Nee Sneham
Bobby
Nuvve Nuvve
Gemini
Chenna Kesava Reddy
Okato Number Kurraadu
Sontham
Baba
Holi
Avunu Valliddaru Ista Paddaru
Allari Ramudu
Indra
Jayam
Sreeram
Kanulu Moosina Neevaye
Vasu
Santosham