It is difficult being in A R Rahman's shoes. The expectations on the man labeled as the Mozart of Madras is so much that it is almost impossible to live up to them. To be fair to him, he has always given his best. But sometimes it may not be enough.Naani's case will exemplify that.
The songs of the film, primarily falling under the category of rhythm-infested techno raps, are good. But fall short of his own exalted levels. This is said to be Rahman's original score for a Telugu movie (the film is also being made in Tamil as New).
The cassette begins with the fast-paced Nani Vayase sung by the talented Karthik, Sunitha, Blaaze (rap) and Tanvi. At best, it is run of the mill and the song is saved by some inspired rendition.But Pedave Palikina song does not disappoint you in any way. It has a velvety feel to it which is enhanced by the dulcet voice of Unni Krishnan and the agreeable shrill of Sadhana Sargam.
The delivery (especially of Sadhana) is jerky at times but the essential symphonic melody of the song is inspirational.Any song that follows this has a difficult act to emulate. But Hariharan-Harini's Vasta Nee Venuka somehow passes muster though it has more techo-gizmo rchestration. This song is an acceptable remix of the old Tamil hit Thottal Poo Malarum.
The SPB-Sujatha duet Chekkara, infused with traditional marriage musical instruments, is catchy without being exceptional. When you listen to Naaku Nuvvu you wonder what is an English song doing in a Telugu album. But this duet (Hariharan-Poornima) has a catchy beat to it and may find takers among the masses.
The Spiderman song, sung by Kunal Ganjawala (an emerging talent in Bollywood) and Poornima, is slow but grows on you. The let down in the cassette is Markandeya. It comes across as a garbled chaos heightened by the shrill of Nityashree. Shankar Mahadevan's perseverance does not save the song.
But on the whole, Rahman and his reputation can see this cassette through.