Soundtrack (2011) Movie Review

Soundtrack Movie Review

Film: 'Soundtrack', Cast: Rajeev Khandelwal, Soha Ali Khan, Mohan Kapoor; Writer and Director: Neerav Ghosh

Debutant director Neerav Ghosh's first time effort, 'Soundtrack', is a deeply enjoyable and satisfying watch.

The film is actually an official remake of the 2004 Canadian indie classic, 'It's All Gone Pete Tong', a similar documentary of sorts that spoke of the rise, fall and rise of a fictional Ibiza DJ, Frankie Wilde, with names like DJ Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk and Lol Hammond appearing as talking heads relating Frankie's story through the film.

The film's plot is approximately Beethoven-esque in its scope, and indeed, more than 'It's All Gone Pete Tong’; it is the master composer's legendary life that 'Soundtrack' will invite direct comparisons with. Stylishly, then, Neerav makes Ludwig himself a narrator in the movie, peppering the narrative with framed quotes from the composer's life.

The tale revolves around a music-maker called Ronak, played superbly by Rajeev Khandelwal, arriving in the city to hit the big-time. Ronak carries within him, the legacy, or rather, the burden of his late father, Parth, who himself tried to make a mark in the music industry, but simply couldn't find success. Ronak, though, tastes victory immediately, as he quickly turns into the superstar DJ at the Tango Charlie club, with the club's owner, Charlie, played by Mohan Kapur, acting as his manager. It is evident that Ronak has a great ear for music, though this is accompanied by a vicious addiction to sex, drugs and alcohol, all of which he finds quite easily in the wonderland of his fame. However, the film's pivotal turn comes when he finds that even as the noose of his addictions is tightening around his neck, his ear is quite literally leaving him, rendering him deaf. The rest of the film deals with Ronak's own tribulations with his condition and how he ultimately rises to meet the challenge of life, with some help along the way.

The movie, though sluggish at some points, hooks from the start. The movie scores with its motivating narrative, where Ronak's story is told in flashbacks, interspersed with interviews with characters from the movie, like Ronak's uncle, his manager Charlie, his band mates Biscuit and Banjo, and his girlfriend, model Shonali, along with real life characters like Kailash Kher and DJ Aqeel, speak of their meetings with Ronak and their impression of him. The use of the mysterious Johnny Joker character is also quite appealing, taking the narrative forward in quite unforeseen ways, though one must say that the credit here goes to the makers of the original movie.

Rajeev Khandelwal, though just two movies old as 'Soundtrack' rolls in, has quickly become one of the most exciting actors to watch on the Indian cinema screen. The actor has successfully made the transition from the small screen to the big, and his performance here as Ronak proves that this isn't without reason. Khandelwal is astonishingly honest on centre-stage here, and comes up with a truly fascinating performance.

Soha Ali Khan is also a surprise as Gauri, entering the narrative almost halfway through the second half, but leaving quite a mark. The actress charms in her 'special' role, and shows that given the right scope, she too has the histrionic skills to deliver. Mrinalini Sharma, unluckily, doesn't get this scope, though, as Ronak's supermodel girlfriend Shonali, she does show potential. Yatin Karyekar, as Ronak's uncle, delivers a great act, as do the non-actors on the cast, musicians Sidd Coutto and Ankur Tewari, who play Biscuit and Banjo, correspondingly. Mohan Kapur is perhaps the other main character, apart from Ronak, here, and with a performance that is over the top at points and delightfully understated at others, shows what Bollywood has been ignoring all these years. His Charlie is hilarious, yet endearing, throughout the movie.

Given that the movie revolves around music and a musician, it was very important that 'Soundtrack' have a flawless soundtrack itself, and on that front, the film's music directors, the superb Midival Punditz and Karsh Kale, deliver generously. Tracks like 'what the f', 'atomizer' and 'fakira' rock the dancefloor, while 'banao', by Papon, and 'jannat', by the film's Banjo, Ankur Tewari, truly charm. However, the climactic number, 'ek manzil', with its haunting cello hook, is where it all truly comes together in a piece of addictive brilliance.

The tale is unquestionably the most crucial aspect of any movie, as it is here. The plot is backed up brilliant performances like those from Rajeev Khandelwal and Soha. The director’s vision comes up with a command resulted film 'Soundtrack'.

Overall, it is a praiseworthy film. There is no reason to skip it.