Inspite of his debonair looks, charismatic screen presence and not to forget his suave costumes, Nagarjuna has always managed to enthrall his fans with many mass films. Right from Kirai Dada, Allari Alludu, President Gari Pellam to the recent Shivamani and Nenunnanu, he has given his fans what they enjoy the most and they have responded quite well by making most of these films successful at the box-office. And now to top it all, Nagarjuna is coming up with a new film titled Mass (Dammunte Kaasko) under Annapoorna Studios banner. Pairing with him for the first time are Jyothika and Charmy. Raghava Lawrence, better known as Lawrence, who has made all the top heroes dance to his moves, will now be wielding the megaphone for the first time making Nag act to his cues.

DsriP, after a melodious Manmadhudu, scores music for the second time for Nag. But sadly, Mass is no Manmadhudu. While the latter was a bouquet of fresh, melodious compositions with the fragrance of beautiful poetry, Mass comes across as a basket of colorful yet wilted flowers devoid of freshness. Meaning, this album has catchy tunes no doubt, but the songs as such are composed of ‘heard before’ beats and commonplace lyrics. Let me elaborate -

1. Mass
With words like ‘Anna naDichoste Mass, Anna ninchunte mass’, Sahithi creates a mass hysteria that’ll make this song a hit with Nag’s fans. And in the energetic voices of Mano and Ravi Varma this song has the potential to be a chartbuster. But the beats in this song are nothing new constantly reminding us of the title song of Shankardada MBBS. However, I think this number is better than the latter.

2. Vaalu Kalla Vayyari
This number where the hero is trying to woo the heroine is good but at some places doesn’t it sound somewhat like Anaganaga Kathala [Venkee]? However this song, written by Bhaskarbatla and sung well by Karthik, is the most appealing number in this album mainly because of a catchy tune and a breezy rhythm.

3. Indurudu
Though this song starts off ordinarily it lingers in your mind mainly because of its infectious singing by the singers. Kalpana gets a major share, which she carries off very well, and Ranjith also does a good job. Actually, the tune in the stanzas is better than the opening lines. Though the orchestration is funky and foot tapping this song ends up as an average number. Sahithi’s words are passable.

4. Kottu Kottu
This one’s just an okay number with nothing new to offer and is no match to a similar Holi song [Eksega] from Nag’s Seetharamaraju composed by Keeravani. The thumping drum beats remind us of Jatin Lalit’s songs, especially Ladki badi Anjaani [Kuch Kuch Hota Hain]. Tippu is his usual self here and it’s Prasanna that shines in this song worded by Sahithi.

5. La La Lahirey
Agreed, it’s a fast paced number sung by Venu and Sunitha Sarathy. Agreed, it also packs a lot of pulsating orchestration. But the impact it leaves could have been more profound had it not carried a déjà vu feel with it. I mean, haven’t we heard all the beats before? You might like this one as long as you don’t expect anything outstanding from this song. Viswa pens this song.

6. Naatho Vastava
Nope, this is not what one would expect from a talented director like DsriP whose albums carry a lot of promise. It’s like taking Aha Allari [Khadgam], increasing the tempo and re-packaging it with different singers and more instruments. This song like other songs in this album is catchy but the outcome is far from satisfactory. And people following my reviews regularly know that as much I dislike fuming and fretting about Udit Narayan singing Telugu songs, Telugu music directors just don’t let me refrain from indulging in that. Phew! The tempo in this song rises and falls like a sine wave and as far as singing it in tandem with the notes, Udit sounds good but how about singing it with proper pronunciations? Well it’s the same beaten to death story if I start to complain about Udit singing Telugu songs. As an aside, did you guys listen to him sing Main Yahan Hoon [Veer Zaara]? I think that’s his best number this year. Anyways, coming to the female singer, you’d be surprised at how Sumangali has changed her style of rendition here with just a fair amount of success though. Sahithi words this song.

After listening to DsriP compose mass tunes in Venkee, Yours Abhi and the recent Shankardada MBBS, this album just doesn’t sound new at all. Mass is definitely not a bad album but at the same time its no where close to DsriP-Nag’s earlier hit album Manmadhudu. The songs in this album are catchy and you might like them after repeated listening. For people who don’t mind accepting something familiar, go ahead and enjoy this album. But for rest of us, let’s look forward to what DsriP has to offer in Alludu and Nuvvostaanante Nenoddantaana.

Sreya Picks: Vaalu Kalla Vayyari, Mass, Indurudu (in that order)

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Other audio reviews by Sreya Sunil
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
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Sreeram
Kanulu Moosina Neevaye
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