Changing lanes: Atif Aslam

Atif Aslam is back in the spotlight with Meri Kahani – the album in which he not only sings but also dons the role of songwriter and lyricist. Instep takes a look

By Maheen Sabeeh

Artist:Atif Aslam
Album:Meri Kahani**1/2

The upside and downside

A lot can be said about a musician who has managed to bowl out everyone and is still standing strong at the crease. The magician bowler in this case is Atif Aslam, who has managed to make himself the biggest artist of our times. And now he’s back, with a new album, Meri Kahani, that he himself has claimed, is the real deal. This album has come after Atif has made it in India, sung for Bollywood which led him to pick up his first-ever Filmfare nomination. In the last three years, Atif managed to team up with Indian composers and released Doorie, which made him an even bigger icon and made his mark in and across the border, which is as successful as it gets.One example is the fact that he has sung on the upcoming Bollywood film Race, which features some of Indian cinema’s biggest actors such as Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna as well as babes Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy.
Amidst all this success there has also been criticism, for selling himself short to Bollywood, going totally over-the-top filmi with Doorie and not making an effort with his image as far as videos go. But all that is perhaps in the past. To his word, Atif has indeed changed gears and has made a visible effort in surprising listeners, vis-à-vis the music, lyrics and vocals.In Meri Kahani he has teamed up with some of most exciting musicians of our times such as Farhad Humayoun, Sheraz Siddiqui, Mahmood Rehman of Overload as well as guitarist and producer Sarmad Ghafoor and has attempted an album that is definitely different than his previous works. It is a milestone compared to Doorie.But does it surpass the magic of Jalpari is the big question…Inside the story     Meri Kahani is an album that sees Atif Aslam in a composition mode. He has composed most of the songs himself while some he has co-written with his brother and manager Shahbaz Aslam. The bulk of lyrics have also been penned by Atif along with Shahbaz, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Sarmad Ghafoor and Shah Hussain. The debut single off the album, ‘Meri Kahani’ may not be the album’s shining moment but it is a start as one unravels the sound behind the album. That said, this particular tune and its video is not too impressive. Even though it is sharp in terms of sound, it sees Atif downplay his vocals. Atif has vocals that shine out. One could identify that voice anywhere. But not on the tune that is ‘Meri Kahani’. The full throttle of Atif Aslam’s voice does not ever come through on this tune. And that remains the biggest disappointment. You have to listen very hard to decipher the words and while that mystery element is fun in some musical cases, here it isn’t. Plus the video is also another dud that is a cut between ‘Ehsaas’ and ‘Hum Kis Galli Ja Rahein Hai’. But the single is just a teaser. The real distinct ditties are really inside. And this is an album split between hard rocking numbers, soft pop ditties with ballads here and there. The mood, like the music varies. It is fiery and optimistic at times, introspective and heartbreaking at others, showcasing the varying emotions of the icon himself. And that really is one reason why it is a commendable effort. Meri Kahani is personal reflection and that is the exciting bit. From the blistering and meaty, ‘Yaaro’ which is a confident nod to friendship as Atif sings, “Kitni hai khusiyaan/Kitney gham/Milkey raheingay sada/Hongay na yaaro kabi juday” to the aggressive and socially-conscious, ‘Hungami Halaat’ where the music like a riding rollercoaster and full credit to Mahmood Rehman for some solid guitaring. Lyrically, this is a well-thought out song. As Atif sings, “Kab tak samaiton ga/Kab talak behlaon ga/ Dil ki mein jout ko/Kaisay Jalaon ga/Kis ka hai saath yahan/kaun zakham bharey/Yeh josh hai rawan/Tum jo ger sung/Chaley hangami halaat” – it is a fine angst-ridden number. Of course had Atif been aiming for a higher pitch, the impact of the tune would’ve been double. Then there is the relatively softer and sober, ‘Chor Gayai’ which leaked on the internet as a rough cut with the title, ‘Chupke Se Aaye’ and is simply superb. In some ways it is reminiscent of the softness of ‘Kuch Iss Tarah’ but a lot more mature. As Atif sings, “Kyun chor gayai woh rassetin/Kabhi saath chaley thay jin pey” – it remains the most melodic song on the album without a doubt and in many ways, is a signature Atif Aslam tune. Brilliant. ‘Joug’ with its tipsy mood and mysterious air where deciphering words is a task but its softness, qualifies as a worthy listen. As Atif croons, “Hum sab jhoom lay” – you end up intrigued wondering where the song goes next. And that is a really beauty, the unpredictable nature of the song. A duet comes through with ‘Kaun Tha (Kapkapi)’ and this is perhaps the slowest song on the album and has a really morbid feel to it even though the melody is a tad weak. The female vocalist whose name is given as S.K.J has a honey sweet voice and Atif has downplayed his own vocals but that factor is one that I am not fond of at all. Another ballad-like number is ‘Mann Hota Hai’ where the beginning of the lone piano teamed up with Atif Aslam stuns with its morbid character as Atif croons, “Khabon sey khilanay ko mann hota hai/Kisi ki na pey ro du tau/Khiloney tuut jayein/Koi mujhe sey poochey/Khun rota hai/Mann Hota hai”, it works as a moody song. Introspection gives way to ‘Kinara’ where Atif has gone demure in his singing as he says, “Pal ka yeh jeevan hai/Kaisey yahan jeena sikhon/Dhundla say eh manzar hai/Sehmi si khamoshi hai/Yeh meri zindagi bus ek khwab hai” – it is a lyrical gem. Continuing the soft trend is ‘Humrahi’ but it neither shows off Atif’s vocals too well and neither does this have a melody that sticks to you. On the other hand, while ‘Mai Nee’ is musically an interesting number even as it struggles with the melody and consequently struggles in grabbing one. The big verdict   Compared to Doorie, Meri Kahani is a mature step up. It is sharp in sound, guitaring by Mahmood Rehman and Sarmad Ghafoor in most places is excellent. And as far as sound goes, this is an album filled with rock ditties and spread well throughout. Even the soft songs are musically interesting as well as distinct. As a songwriter Atif has grown up and that reflects throughout. The one and the only problem is the vocals. It is as if is deliberately trying to downplay his voice, which is a factor that plagues this album throughout and doesn’t work. In other words, he sounds suppressed. Atif has been criticized for being off-key in the past and perhaps that has led to this strange fact. But even so, one ends up missing the voice that was present on the average Doorie and the fun-loving debut Jalpari and the sheer power and impact that came through. Atif’s voice is his biggest asset and one doesn’t feel the full-throttle, which is a huge disappointment. The impact of even good songs like ‘Hangami Halaat’, ‘Yaaro’, ‘Chor Gayai’ among others, hence is diminished tremendously and that just shouldn’t happen. And ironically enough, the man who replaced Atif in Jal and since then has struggled, namely Farhan Butt, has done the exact opposite in Jal’s new record, Boondh. Where Atif sounds restrained, Farhan has never been more exciting, loud and clear. Meri Kahani is patchy in places, partially because melodies are weak in some places and the voice at others. However, Atif has taken a crack in trying out a different, somewhat beefier sound. And as a result, Meri Kahani has some solid rock elements in it. Meri Kahani is proof that Atif is a talented artist. And just for making a conscious effort, this album should be heard. *YUCK **WHATEVER ***GOOD ****SUPER *****AWESOME

Taare Zameen Par*****

*ing: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra, Sachet Engineer and Vipin Sharma
Directed by Aamir Khan
Tagline: Every child is special

From the outside, Taare Zameen Par (TZP) may strike one as a “kiddie” film. But it really isn’t. It’s a mature film about children, tackling a very sensitive issue, seen through the eyes of one child with support from his teacher, played by the superb Aamir Khan.Aamir Khan had before TZP, two back-to-back super hits – Fanaa and Rang De Basanti. He could’ve worked with anyone in the ‘new rising Bollywood’ but he chose one of the most unusual subjects there is: dyslexia, more specifically, dyslexic children. He went for an offbeat cast, most of whom have made their marks on the small screen. Those who have doubted this A-class actor, because he does films that revolve around him, will be surprised. Taare Zameen Par is a film by Aamir Khan but it is not about him at all…
TZP is about the innocence of children, it is about children growing up in a fiercely competitive world where most parents and teachers look at academic success as a benchmark. In this cutthroat world of being on the top, often children grow up too fast and just aren’t nurtured enough emotionally, even though all their physical needs may be well looked after.And all this comes through with the story of Ishaan Awasti (Darsheel Safary), a kid who can get lost in watching an insect for hours; a child who suffers from dyslexia, but neither him nor his parents or teachers understand or even know what he is going through. To the majority, Ishaan’s attitude is non-serious and simply put he is a brat. Forget the fact that he paints like a little artist and that he will find interest in the most obscure things of life. Things like the sun’s reflection on a plant, the clouds, among other things.
To the world, this 8-year-old is still failing in class, still can’t write properly, unlike his older brother who is an A-grade student. But as per norms of society, as opposed to understanding Ishaan, the parents pack him off to a boarding school, scarring him in ways that leave a mark on his identity as a child. And then enters Aamir Khan as an art teacher at the boarding school. He sees his own childhood in Ishaan and thus begins the lessons.And through the lessons in art class, Taare Zameen Par is a film that will teach you quite a few things: (a) If a child is failing, maybe it is because he has a difficulty (b) Dyslexia doesn’t mean mentally retarded (c) teachers often have a bigger part to play than just teach the syllabus and finally (d) not every child is the same.
And perhaps that is the biggest lesson. Not every child is the same. Not everyone can ace all their classes and it is high time, parents, teachers as well as society accept this reality.A lot can be said about the milestone that is Taare Zameen Par. In an age of cinema, where kitsch films are super hits and only sex and SRK sell, Aamir Khan has taken a leap of faith, like always, and has made a film that deserves all the acclaim it is getting and there is lots of it.In Aamir Khan, not only is there a versatile actor but a phenomenal director. From nowhere does Taare Zameen Par feel like a director’s debut. It’s got all the right elements – there is no simple narrative to this film. It’s got little nuances and for the first one hour, the entire film rides on Darsheel Safary (Ishaan), Tisca Chopra (Ishaan’s mother), Vipin Sharma (Ishaan’s father) and Sachet Engineer (Ishaan’s older brother) but it keeps you hooked. You don’t need a superstar actor in the frame to make it work because the acting in exemplary and the story well told. These are actors of whom we’ve never heard of befor, but watch Taare Zameen Par and you will remember them well. Aamir Khan as Ram Shankar, an art teacher is excellent. He doesn’t overdo the emotions but gets the feeling just right. Aamir comes as the film hits intermission and his role is secondary, compared to Darsheel Safary’s but he makes the most of it. He understands the kids and speaks their language with them. And hey… he’s looking rather cute too! Tisca Chopra, Sachet Engineer and Vipin Sharma as mom, brother and dad respectively are fabulous. Tisca Chopra as a mother who cries long after her son has gone to boarding school, who tries to do her best but doesn’t understand what he really needs, is brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. She has played cameos in other films but this film is marks her true arrival as an actor to be reckoned with in India. The star of this film however is without a doubt, Darsheel Safary. A performance that’ll make you laugh and cry and a kid that’ll be remembered long after the film stops rolling. This is Darsheel Safary’s film and he is an excellent young star who is unforgettable. Indian cinema may have finally found a Haley Joel Osment for itself. In the end, one has to say: If any other actor-turned-director would’ve made this film, it would’ve been a surprise, but when it’s Aamir Khan, those who follow his career, shouldn’t be amazed. He is one of the few actors who knows how to make human emotions the heart of his film. He’s been doing it for a long time. Remember Bhuvan in Lagaan? The villager who takes on the goras and with every ball that he hit, you’d pray for it to be a six. That was the power of Bhuvan. It seemed orthodox: a village, Britishers and cricket but it was the film that went onto the BAFTAs and the Oscars. And that remains the power of Aamir Khan. When an actor understands the power of emotions so well, he can make anything work. Throw in the fact that Aamir teamed up with Prasoon Joshi (the hotshot lyricist of Hum Tum and more sublimely Rang De Basanti) and the trio of Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy for music and TZP is just perfect. Some might say the length could’ve been shorter. Often that is what viewers need since Hindi films are too long. But in this case, it is just right. This is a film that should be seen by everyone, whether a parent, a child or simply someone who’d like an offbeat, close to life story. And it’ll make you cry so keep a box of tissues close. Aamir Khan was always a fine actor. But now he is a director who will blow you away. That is why he was and remains ‘Ikka Khan’ – Taare Zameen Par leaves no doubt about that. – Maheen Sabeeh *YUCK **WHATEVER ***GOOD ****SUPER *****AWESOME