Petta Audio Review- Tamil (2018)

Movie: Petta (2018)

Director: Karthik Subharaj

Producer: Kalanithi Maran

Cast: 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, Simran & Trishna

Music Director: Anirudh Ravichander

Music Label: Sony Music

Petta (lit. City) is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj and produced by Kalanithi Maran. The film stars Rajinikanth with an ensemble cast including Vijay Sethupathi,Simran, Trisha, M. Sasikumar, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bobby Simha, J. Mahendran and Guru Somasundaram.

Vijay Sethupathi was signed on to play a character in April 2018, and accordingly reworked his dates to fit the film into his busy schedule. The actor signed the film after a month of media speculation that he would portray a villainous role, and revealed that he signed the film as he had blind trust in Subbaraj, and initially did not request to listen to the script. Subbaraj had also been keen to sign Fahadh Faasil for a role in the film, but the actor's filming commitments for Varathan (2018), meant that he could not allot dates. Hindi film actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui joined the cast in July 2018, while two other regular collaborators of Subbaraj, actors Bobby Simha and Sananth, were also signed to play pivotal roles in the film. Other members of the cast included supporting actors Guru Somasundaram, Ramdoss, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Deepak Paramesh, Aaditya Shivpink,  and Manikandan R. Achari. 

For leading female roles, the team held discussions throughout March 2018 with actresses Trisha, Deepika Padukoneand Anjali but neither were signed immediately. In July 2018, the producers announced that Simran had joined the cast to play as pair of Rajinikanth.  Trisha was eventually added to the cast in August 2018,  while Malavika Mohanan was also signed to appear alongside Rajinikanth.  Megha Akash was cast as Sananth's pair, and joined the shoot before the release of any of her initial Tamil films, Boomerang, Enai Noki Paayum Thota and Oru Pakka Kathai.^[37] In October, M. Sasikumar and J. Mahendran joined the cast.

Contrary to Karthik Subharaj's films, he chooses Anirudh Ravichandren over Santhosh Narayan to compose music for Petta. Hope he has done the need, it has been already proven with stunning & trending songs, trailers, teasers in youtube. With no bumps, Anirudh rocks his first attempt at composing great music with a right balance b/w rural & contemporary music. So why late lets peep into the album.

01. Marana Massu

Vocalists: Dr. S.P.Balasubrahmanyum, Anirudh Ravichandren & Rajinikanth (Voice over)

Lyricist: Vivek

Rating:  4/5

'Marana Massu' is such a beauty, with those intriguing mass/folk beats with all the required elements which will'nt leave Rajini Sir's fans to sit quietly in theaters. This song aims at that particular class of audience, who literally shake the theaters as soon as it starts. Contrary to 'Thalaiva's' intro songs in these contemporary period, it made us all recollect those beautiful memories of 'Annamalai' & 'Padayappa', this song might not have that extent of folk/mass exuberance, but it could satisfy  music lovers & 'Thalaiva' fan's fantasy.  Anirudh mainly focused on bringing in that mass flavor as mentioned in the title, those rural drums & some authentic orchestration with a quirky swag is something commendable. Vivek has done a needful job, his lyrics satisfy the demands of the song without losing its control.

Coming to the song, it has been a quite very long time witnessing some local mass kuththu song in Rajini sir's films, here goes that feeling of mine in void. Then moving on to the vocalists, the legendary SPB (voice of Thalaiva) is back for this title song after a gap of 4 years. It's so great to listen to that legend again & again, that too for Thalaiva's films, happiness has got no boundaries for his fans & music lovers. His voice is yet ageless & this generation is really lucky enough to listen to him once more. Though his part is too minimal(however demanded by the song), SPB has got his existence pellucid. Anirudh as usually rocks the song with his lilting vocals, its nothing new for him or for us. Overall, a mighty song that has brought all our memories back again.

02. Ilamai Thirumbudhe

Vocalist: Anirudh Ravichandren

Lyricist: Dhanush

Rating: 3.5/5

This is a romantic melody with Anirudh's template written all over it. Its something tantalizing to watch Rajini sir romancing with this Anirudh's melody on screen. Overall this song is'nt diffrent from any of Anirudh's love ballads, but what is more fascinating is that lovely flute & percussions which filled up the interludes. Dhanush brings up some great sense of poetry integrating it with love in a very cultivated manner. It's even nice to listen to Anirudh & Dhanush after so many days. Overall, a melodious air which might be more interesting with catchy visuals.

03. Madhura Petta

Instrumental

Rating: 4/5

This is Anirudh's first outing with a rural essence & he does it like a pro. All the 'Kalyanam' beats & majestic percussions, trumbones, catchy tabla beats & shehnayi make it a perfect 'Kalyanam' song. With this it's proven fact that Anirudh is king of all the genres. This is a very short glimpse kind instrumental not even lasting for 2 minutes but ensures that is gonna make us loop over it again  & again.

04. Petta Theme

Instrumental (Ft. Rajini's Voiceover)

Rating: 4.5/5

This is one more from Anirudh again. This theme is such an embracement for all the Thalaiva's fans as Anirudh has brought in all those required components which make this theme song a chartbuster for sure. It starts with a trumpet horn & then join some electronic guitars giving more space for trumpets & percussions to take over again & again, but that prelude led by trumpet solely is on loop till the end. A couple of beats with retro touch sums up to the instrumentation. For a surprise it even features Thailaiva's dialogue & laugh too. It even has a sinister feel added to it, which predicts something evil in the film. What else can somebody expect other than this & this is the music which is featured at the beginning of the film's  teaser.

05. Singhaar Singh Theme

Instrumental

Rating: 4/5

This is one more master piece again. We all know what is Anirudh upto when it comes to BGM, it's like we all even demanded OST of the film, taking our requests into consideration- might be they are releasing these themes which elevate the visuals in the films. In recent works of Anirudh, especially for antagonist's they worked very well & this one is no where a exception. It starts up with some uncanny note then it is led by that same troumbone horn & intriguing beats with a rattling sound & sigh of breath then it ends there. Surely this is one of the best works of Anirudh, he simply nailed with ease in portraying the depth of the character.

06. Thappad Maara

Vocalists: Sarwar Khan & Sartaz Khan Baran

Lyricist: Karthiki Subharaj

Rating: 3.5/5

This is a fun ridden retro flavored song sung too effectively by the young talent. This is song is situated solely on Jithu (Vijay Sethupathi) & a slap. Lyrics are really crazy, rightly could'nt connect with it, because one cannot easily make out whether it's written in a mocking style or in a serious tone. But through the journey eventually with the song, it brings out laughter making it liable that song is making fun of someone. Whole song is in a retro Manganiar/Langas/Jogi Rajasthani folk style, completely contrary to Anirudh's recent songs. This album is like exploring complete new dimensions of Anirudh. 'Dangal' fame junior singers Sarwar Khan & Sartaz are roped in for surprise & they lead the whole song on their shoulders like pros. Lyrics by Karthik are really awful, rightly written. Don't know what's the need to induce Hindi lyrics all over, but sounded great. That sarangi, chorus chanting 'Takdin taka takdin', 'thappad maarane jithuji ne' & a shot of 'Thappad' went on looping irrespective of what is being sung & that has become the most beguiling thing in the whole song. Overall a decent one.

07. Petta Paraak

Vocalists: Anirudh Ravichanderan, Chorus & Rajinikanth (Voiceover)

Lyricist: Vivek

Rating: 4/5

'Petta Paraak' is a perfect elevation track for "Rajinikanth" like 'Superstar' & a great embracing moment for his fans. Here Anirudh is completely driven by the directors taste yet his template is'nt missing. This is such an intense number, which results in adrenaline rush. Anirudh sounds brilliant yet awfully supported by the excellent team of chorale. Vivek knows very well how to cash this type of numbers, his lyrics typically suit Rajini's style with ease. He knew very well how to elevate his character with his sublime lyrics. The orchestration is too sonorous & appealing, its nothing like clumsy or over crowded with noisy guitars, which usually happens in Karthik's favorite  'Santhosh Narayan's' compositions. Anirudh knew very well how to limit the volume with required intensity & the consistency is no where lost yet with foot tapping rhythm. Overall an amazing song.

08. Kaali Theme

Instrumental

Rating: 3.5/5

This is the music which got featured in he motion poster which is a chunk of 'Marana Massu' song & here it comes with an extension in a much grandeur way which is already well taken by the fans & music lovers. This theme is one more elevation to the lead protagonist. Right from the beginning we will here to some rustic violins spilling fumes of fire. If we listen to it keenly somewhere it sounds like the majestic Padayappa's theme yet it did'nt lack its signature or style. Anirudh is rocking, every song is getting better & better.

09. Aahaa Kalyanam

Vocalists: Anthony Dassan

Lyricist: Ku. Karthik

Rating: 4.5/5

This is one more masterpiece again. Time & again Anirudh is not letting any chance to go away from his hands for scoring a worthy album for that legend. We are'nt back stuffed with some routine 'Kalayanma' beats, but for a change it's a peppy convectional 'western' style with full of lilt & cherubic Tamil flavor. Couple of beats are banged till the end with two interludes & violins are woven till the end just by changing the pace of it. Harmonium too is heard, everything sounds brilliant & amazing. A perfect dance number for 'Kalyanam'. Anthony is amazing as usually, he is like a transformer as I always tell. Ku. Karthik lyrics make us go bonkers about his lyrics. This song makes me comfortable in bringing in my own predictions, after listening to the song, I could imagine a black & white screen where Thalaiva is dancing in slow motion in a  traditional attire with Trisha after their marriage.

10. Ullallaa

Vocalists: Nakash Aziz, Inno Genga & Chorus

Lyricist: Vivek

Rating: 5/5

This is a Srilankan Baila brilliantly mastered by the Composer & the lyricist. This is like a slow poison, it picks up slowly. Lyrics form the constituent part of the song, they are neatly written by Vivek. Anirudh is rocking, his peppy instrumentation once again brings in that retro western feel. Nakash aziz is amazing, his rendition made the song quiet more enjoyable. 'Ribbara ribba re ribba re' sounded skillful. Interluded rocked the space, those troumbones, percussions, beats everything hit the right chord.

11. Jithu Theme

Instrumental

Rating: 3/5

One more theme composed for the antagonist, but this time its for Vijay Sethupathi. That eerie & sinister feel is intact & nothing more added, if at all something has to be highlighted from this, it's fore sure that nefarious prelude yet led by a slo violin & a typical flute note in between otherwise an average theme.

PICKS OF THE ALBUM: ENTIRE ALBUM

OVERALL RATING: 8/10

Trivia: Slated to release on 11, January 2019. Wishing a great success to the entire film's unit. This album is for sure a 'Thalaiva's' album, Anirudh nailed it like anything. However a masculine dominated album, it does'nt feature any female singer.