Musical wars: OSO vs Saawariya
For the last month or so, Bollywood and its observers have been divided into two camps – Saawariya and Om Shanti Om. Conversations at press meets and interviews invariably drift towards the one question: Saawariya or Om Shanti Om? Frankly, its difficult to say what will work and what won't. But going purely by the music, one would firmly stand behind the Farah Khan flick.
Traditionally, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's films have scored really high on their music. So much so Black, which didn't have any songs earned a lot of accolades for its background score (Monty). But somehow one cannot say the same about the music of Saawariya. Or maybe we have had so much of the 'Bhansali brand' of music that we simply cannot handle any more of it.
After listening to Saawariya's tracks one gets the feeling that somehow it takes itself a little too seriously. Then again, parts of certain songs (Sawar Gayi, and Pari for instance) are oh-so-reminiscent of older Bhansali film tunes. Comparisons are odious but listen to Black, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam... even Devdas for that matter. And some somehow one can't help feeling that the magic in this one is missing.
It is very interesting in a sense that Saawariya should be pitted against Om Shanti Om. Because OSO is an album that seemingly laughs at itself and the industry it is a part of. It borrows on tradition and then very cheekily takes pot shots at it. The music is irreverent and completely tongue-in-cheek, taking a dig at everyone passing by. It laughs at melodrama, hamming… basically everything that Bollywood has stood for. And Saawariya, with its opulence, in a sense celebrates these very things.
Take a look at the Saawariya album cover and at the bottom right one finds the credits: Words – Sameer. The grandiose somehow gets to you even before you start listening to the music. Let's face it, we are not talking of a classical music album here. It's mainstream masala Bollywood for god's sake! And the 'words' by the way leave a lot to be desired. On the other hand give us a Daastan-E-Om Shanti Om with its inane lyrics any time of the day and we'll dance to its tunes.
The place where Saawariya scores over Om Shanti Om, however is in its music arrangement. But then again, it's possibly the plot and theme of the film that gives the music director the scope.
Listen to these two albums back-to-back and chances are that your heart would go out to Om Shanti Om. It's fun, it's cheeky and it makes for a far more delightful listening as against Saawariya.
Saawariya is the best......................
Music
Saawariyans music is awesome....................Spclly the song "jab se tere naina" nd the music of oso is so boring n the song "darde disco"