- Sreya Sunil

Caught in the busy, highly disorganized traffic of Hyderabad roads the other day, my eyes immediately landed on a blue poster. More than anything, what caught my attention was Nagarjuna sporting dark brown goggles, dressed in a short-sleeved dark blue royal Calvin Klein t-shirt with a tattoo on his right hand, completely dominating Sonali Bendre who was relegated to one small corner of the poster. With such a cool look and infectious charm, I wondered if any other hero in Tollywood could even think of titling his movie as Manmadhudu, which seems so very appropriate and suitable for Nag.

Produced by Nagarjuna himself under the prestigious Annapurna Studios banner, Manmadhudu is directed by K Vijaya Bhaskar. DsriP scores music for the first time for Nagarjuna's movie and he delivers melodious numbers in this album. The songs are melodious no doubt but some of them seem to be inspired and some seem to be a rehash of his previous tunes. As always, his orchestration is good but DsriP can reach new heights (not that he isn't successful now) provided he avoids the rehashing/reusing process. Nonetheless he has some good melodies in store for us in this album coupled with delectable lyrics by Sirivennela.

1. Dont Marry (Listen)
Sirivennela not only comes up with a new phrase 'Don't marry! Be happy' by simply replacing 'worry' with 'marry' in 'Don't worry! Be happy', he also provides samples of the worries involved in a marriage. This is the second time Sirivennela warns us about marriage. The first time was in the popular 'Bhadram be careful brotheru' song in Money. SPB does full justice to Sirivennela's words set to a catchy tune by DsriP. His voice modulation while mouthing the dialogues in the stanzas can be passed off easily as Nag's voice.

A note: Guys, don't mar your age by fearing marriage. Life itself is a big risk and marriage is just another stage in life. So, if you care for my advice, risk it! Well, if things don't go as planned, then you can at least revert to this song to warn your fellow would-be scapegoats ;-)

2. Gundello Emundo (Listen)
A good melodious number about two people in love. Sirivennela's words like - 'Puvvulo lenidi ni navvulo unnadi', 'Ninnila choosi pai nunchi vennele chinnapothondi', 'Dooram talonche muhurtham inkepudostundi?' - are simple and subtle. DsriP sets this song to a lilting tune and Venu and Sumangali sing it pleasantly.

3. Nenu Nenuga Lene (Listen)
Though the opening tune of this song sounds like the tune of 'Chori chori jab nazrein mili' from Kareeb, the inspiration thankfully ends there. Mellow orchestration, breezy tune, SP Charan's voice and Sirivennela's words about a person who has just realized that he is in love, are the hallmarks of this song. DsriP sets a perfect stage with his music, Sirivennela provides veritable word feast and SP Charan takes over from there with aplomb. Its his song all the way and Charan delivers the goods well. The tempo and chorus in the second stanza add to the mood of the song contrasting delicately with the tempo in the first stanza

4. Naa Manasune (Listen)
Another melodious love duet sung by versatile veterans SPB and Chitra. Before you pass this off as yet another love duet, just pay attention to Sirivennela's words like - 'Tadi jaadaleni tama gundeloni daahaalu teeredelaga?', 'Alavatu padina yeda cheekatinta sarikotta vekuvai raava' and you would understand how this Manmadhudu, who hates women, makes a transition to an altogether new Manmadhudu, who likes women and probably loves just one woman. Though the tune and orchestration, in some places, remind us of 'Talatalamani' song from Kalusukovalani, the additional half star is mainly because of Sirivennela's lyrics.

5. Chelia Chelia (Listen)
An interesting song! Interesting because, a person who once hated women has changed so much that he is unable to withstand the fact that the woman he loves is parting from him. Interesting because, DsriP brings out the melancholy in a rather pulsating than a pensive slow tune. Interesting because, for a change it is not KK who is singing this supposedly sad song. An interesting song indeed, isn't it? Shaan, who sings this song, sounds apt and good. Sirivennela's wordplay though familiar in style, is good.

6. Andamaina Bhamalu (Listen)
A potential mass hit number sung by DsriP himself. Bhuvanachandra's lyrics talk about andamaina bhamalu and hero's ecstasy in being surrounded by them. DsriP sings this song in his usual style. However I wonder how well DsriP's voice would suit Nag. The orchestration in this song reminds us of DsriP's similar old numbers.

Manmadhudu, whose counterpart in English mythology is Cupid, strikes his victims with arrows piercing their hearts thereby causing them to fall deeply in love. Well, our Charmer of Charminar, Nag, fits the bill perfectly as Manmadhudu. Paired with lissom lass Sonali and aided by DsriP's melodious music, he hopefully is bound to strike our hearts leaving behind indelible impressions of love and joy.

Sreya's Picks: Gundello Emundo, Na manasune, Nenu Nenuga lene

Click here to read the other articles by Sreya Sunil

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