Review: Slumdog Millionaire

Yes, AR Rehman's magic once again is all over this. While there are some electrifying songs in Slumdog Millionaire, we do feel this isn't Rehman at his uber best

Isha Singh Sawhney

As the film of the year, underdog of cinema, Slumdog Millionaire sweeps up award after award, at award function after award function, Blender checked out the AR Rehman’s soundtrack, to see what the hype is about. With a Golden Globe already in his bag, Rehman waits ahead of the Oscars to see if he makes the list there too.

The album with a pot puri, sometimes hotchpotch of global sounds, might not be Rehaman’s best offering yet, but set against the backdrop of Danny Boyle’s film, brings international attention to his music. Confessions have to be made here. The soundtrack doesn’t really jump out as awesome, but when you hear it later, you do realise Rehman’s genius smeared all over, in generous doses.

The awards winning Jai Ho, can even become victories new poster child. The song is purely about winning and talks of it with an unbeatable exuberance, with racing orchestrations. Gulzar’s poetic brilliance is brought to life by Sukhwinder Singh's vociferous baritones, which are matched perfectly with Tanvi Shah and Mahalaxmi Iyer's soothing voices. The song is sheer power, brute force, and pure energy, and tracks ambition, passion, and victory in the most poetic of ways.

O Saaya with British born Sri Lankan artist MIA (Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam) juxtaposes heavy drums in the background that create the effect of a chugging locomotive, with Rehman’s chanting. The breathtaking song is an awesome lyrical collaboration between the strong vocals of MIA and Rehman, add to that riveting electronic tones and an up-tempo drumming sequence, and we got a winner. Flashy and rhythmic, we love it.

MIA brings to Paper Planes her trademark peculiar political lyricism, as the lyrics chart the main protagonist’s life. MIA has even been nominated for a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. The DFA remix gets even more eclectic, with thumping drumming and lively electronic percussions. 

With Ringa Ringa, you feel like you’re in much visited familiar territory. This Alka Yagin song is replete with Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai nostalgia. The song revisits the styles and sounds of the 90s with the alluring melodies of Alka Yagin. 

Dreams On Fire, is playback singer Suzanne D’Mello offering. With hauntingly beautiful melodies, that tug on your heartstrings, amidst a softly lit acoustic ambiance, the song is truly soulful. Liquid Dance on the other hand takes you away in its masterful blend of cool new east and west sounds. Superimposing classical Indian vocals of Madhumita and Palakkad Sriram, over electronic and orchestra sets, is unique, and haunting. Critics will have a hard time with classifying these new sounds in a genre.

Riots is a short but powerful number, with global influences influenced by tribal African beats. In Latika’s Theme essentially the instrumental of Dreams on Fire, sees Rehman retain its true essence by getting Susaazne to hum the entire tune, rather having it just instrumental.

The brilliance of Mausam and Escape swoops down upon you, suddenly. The sombre beginnings of song take off into Rashid Ali and Sanjay Joseph’s guitar play, and move into pounding bass lines, exciting sitar plucks and soul thumping synths, with overarching orchestral strings. It all comes out as a potpurri of east electronica and Indian classical. 

Millionare is like a television commercial jingle, fast paced, but conventional in production. Gangsta Blues, is a surprise package from Rehman, with the music composer delving into genres we wouldn’t imagine he’d touch with a barge pole. But he tackles it with élan, in true Rehman form. Though the song won’t be making hip hop record sale history, its still an interesting product from his stables. Techno-esque sounds, come together with hip-hop and even hints of jazz and blue organs. A token offering to club culture India, is Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s Aaj Ki Raat, with potential of a vivacious dance floor number.

Grand opulent scores, with a judicious use of western music, mixed with contemporary electronica and occasional doses of Indian tradition, make Slumdog Millionaire’s soundtrack. Yet we come back to thinking, this is far from Rehman's best works, we know, having lived through Chaiya Chaiya, Dil Se, and their likes, its difficult to see the genius in this album. But it's easy to see Rehman's touch all over it.