Kaala Audio Review- Tamil (2018)

Movie: Kaala (2018)

Director: Pa. Ranjith

Producer: Dhanush

Cast: 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, Eashwari Rao & Huma Qureshi

Music Director: Santhosh Narayan

Music label: Lyca Productions 

Kaala is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language political gangster film set inDharavi, Mumbai. It is an action film written and directed by Pa. Ranjith and produced by Dhanush under his banner Wunderbar Films. Starring Rajinikanth in the lead role, the film was announced in 2016 and was on 7 June 2018. The film was earlier scheduled to be released on 27 April 2018 but was postponed to June due to the standoff betweenNadigar Sangam and Digital Service Providers on the increase of Virtual Print Fee charges along with the 2018 Tamil Nadu protests for Kaveri water sharing issue which also led to the delay in release of other Tamil films.

Following the announcement of the film, Wunderbar Films sought to cast Vidya Balan in a leading role, but the actress turned down the offer.Actress Huma Qureshi was later added to the cast in early May 2017 to feature in a role opposite Rajinikanth.Marathi actress Anjali Patil also announced that she would be playing an important role in the film through a post on her official Twitter account.Several members of the technical crew of Kabali were retained for Kaala, with A. Sreekar Prasad replacing Praveen K. L. as the film's editor during its pre-production stage.Bollywood actor Nana Patekar has been signed to play a politician who is the antagonist.As said earlier, Huma Qureshi is not paired with Rajinikanth; Easwari Rao is doing that role.Dileepan of Vathikuchi fame is playing as one of the sons of Rajnikanth and Huma Qureshi is playing Zareena, Rajnikanth's ex-girlfriend.

Santhosh Narayan has been chosen for music composition, he has composed 9 tracks which is an unusual number for any Tamil film, so lets see how he has fared the songs.

01. Semma Weightu

Singers: Hariharasudhan & Santhosh Narayan

Lyricist: Arunraja Kamraj & Dopeadelicz

Rating: 3/5

The album opens to no surprise, this  is the same intro song like in 'Kabaali' but something fresh, that is lyrics. This song is mostly weaved in the form of rap with some rustic interludes which set the theater into fire with 'Thalaiva's' superb screen presence. This song is completely for fans, those lyrics, those beats might make  fans go bonkers about it. Sana made some crazy sounds at the last, which too sounded good. Lyrics make it a perfect intro song, but tune disappoints a bit, this always happens with Sana, either we hear those rustic drum beats, raps or sounds of giant percussion instruments right from Kabaali. At last a well made song, connects to fans and youth, serious music lovers will always have some issues with this number.

02. Thanga Sela

Singers: Shankar Mahadevan, Pradeep Kumar & Ananthu

Lyricist: Arunraja Kamraj

Rating: 5/5

Second song changes everyone's mood. This is a cheerful local dance gaana genre, Sana nailed it perfectly, that instrumentation with few tabla beats looping all around the song, makes it perfect fun-dance number. This song getting Superstar's screen presence may make it much more better. Arunraja's lyrics are very fine, up to the tee. But we can make out Sana's signature with that minimal instrumentation in the prelude. However loved this track. Coming to vocals, Shankar Mahadevan took this number somewhere with his amazing cheerful rendition, which is a sure mention. His rendition is very cherubic, and something new from his usual. Pradeep and Ananthu gave ample support. But on the whole Shankar Mahadevan stole the show. At last, did I like it? Obviously Yes!! 

03. Katravai Patravai

Singers: Yogi B, Arunraja Kamraj, Roshan Jamrock & Rajinikanth (Voice Over)

Lyricist: Kabilan, Arunraja Kamraj & Roshan Jamrock

Rating: 3/5

This is one more rap song. This starts with those heavy electronic guitars banging at the board and those heavy steel drums taking their pace, this numbers will never sound new nor interesting and will always find their existence in Santhosh's album. If they click on, that is because of fans and contemporary trends. If this songs have a repeat value, that would be because of lyrics and Rajini's presence. Though those lyrics are sizzling hot, they lose their importance with those ferocious rap sounds which add unwanted energy. Did I like the song? Partially Yes!! Will I recommend it to you? May be yes , but with your own reservations.

04. Kannamma

Singers: Pradeep Kumar & Dhee

Lyricist: Uma Devi

Rating: 4.5/5

This is an emotional number with Sana's signature written all over it. Pradeep's singing makes me remember 'Maya Nadhi' partially, especially when he sings those same dynamics at 'Kannamma Kannamma'. But that's no offence at all, a very good song, which is very well made in all aspects. That bass, a flute and couple of beats sums up to the instrumentation in the song, Sana knows very well how to make an emotional number with all sorts of limitations, like 'Ariraro' this is one more, but did'nt have that rich percussion touch.  Uma's lyrics, need a bow. A slow paced song made very neat with no issues.

05. Kannamma- Acapella

Singers: Ananthu

Lyricist: Uma Devi

Rating: 5/5

This is the same number presented in the form of acapella. This is a famous Italian culture, but now'a'days heard every where. Coming to the song, when two versions are made its quite common to draw in comparisons. So this number sounds good, than the above one, may be because of the effort. The chorus went perfect, giving a blissful experience, I thought they were weaving some mandolins in the background, but that sound was even made by the chorale group!! Hats off the troupe!! Ananthu's rendition was sweet, cool and neat.

06. Urimaiyai Meetpom

Singers: Vijay Prakash & Ananthu

Lyricist: Arivu

Rating: 5/5

This is a beautiful number with a lot of variety induced in it. A heavy socio-focussed lyric by Arivu fused with local fun making dance tune and some extreme classic notes, makes it uncomfortable for many people, but this cannot be any better. This is a industry, where we encourage talent and there is a scope for huge rage of experiments and Sana went with this soulful number. A perfect track. After listening to the lyric, we will surely expect a tune like 'Padayappa', but this is completely contrary to that. Arivu's lyric is thought provoking and Sana's instrumentation is goose bumping. Vijay Prakash was not his usual, it took me some time to recognize that it was him. This unusual rendition from him too hit the right chord with perfect expression. Ananthu chorus gave something more than ample, they nailed their parts perfectly. Amazing track, a sure mention and must listen.

07. Poraaduvom

Singers: Dopeadelicz

Lyricist: Dopeadelicz & Logan

Rating: 2.5/5

As the name suggest 'Poraaduvom' that means revolution. The song too had some rustic instrumentation with some thought provoking slogans, which are aimed at masses. This too is a rap number with Sana's repeated signature found everywhere. Nothing new, nothing old, just a song made for situation. May work out after repeated hearings.

08. Theru Vilakku

Singers: Dopeadelicz & Muthamil

Lyricist: Dopeadelicz & Logan

Rating: 3/5

One might feel irritated and heady with one more rap in the album. One or two raps per album is fine, but every song is a rap is something surely irritating. Once again this song to clicks because of lyrics and Thalaiva. Because there is nothing to speak about music, the same tune for all raps with that minimal instrumentation and few rustic beats. Sana offered nothing new in all the raps, which is sure to give boredom to the listener. Again a song that might work with repeated hearings.

09. Nikal Nikal

Singers: Dopeadelicz, Vivek & Arunraja kamraj

Lyricist: Dopeadelicz & Logan

Rating: 4.5/5

An out and out mass song which is partially a rap, but surely a enjoyable track. Sana screwed the instrumentation, that local gaana genre beats, whistles, bass everything rocked perfectly. This song is like a slow poison. Starts at a slow pace then increases its dosage giving a powerful experience to the listeners. Vocalists were absolutely fine. Lyrics hit the right chord. This is a sort of number which we fans embrace on. After the song everyone keeps humming 'Nikal Nikal Nikal', tapping their feet and will sway in merry. A musical 'Swag'!!

Picks Of The Album: Thanga Sela, Kannamma (Two Versions), Nikal Nikal & Urimayai Meetpom

OVERALL RATING: 7.5/10

Remarks: The film has been released today (7/6/18) with no proper hype. But is gaining some positive reports as of now. Usually Superstars's films need no hype, they become blockbusters even before the release. ATB to the whole team.