Music Team: The OST from Ajay Devgn-directed Hindi-language action-thriller blockbuster “Bholaa” (2023) has once again taken the spotlight for the innovative and fresh soundtrack of the week. The film’s soundtrack album, composed by Indian music composer Ravi Basrur, has resurfaced once again thanks to social media trends. The powerful and evocative tracks of the film are now being sought to make reels by content creators, thus increasing views on the original videos on YouTube.
Although the film narrowly managed to make the ‘100 Crore Club’, grossing ₹111 crore (US$13 million) worldwide by the end of six weeks, major plot lapses and subpar VFX at the ending garnered mixed reviews from critics. The soundtrack designed by Ravi Basrur, however, features a mix of high-energy numbers that underscore the film’s action sequences and softer, more contemplative pieces that highlight its emotional moments.
Most of the tracks have been lyricized by Indian poet and lyricist Irshad Kamil, a frequent collaborator with Basrur. The duo has previously worked on the soundtracks of “K.G.F.: Chapter 1” (2018) and “K.G.F.: Chapter 2” (2022), Salman Khan’s “Bharat” (2019), “Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan” (2020), and “Toolsidas Junior” (2022).
Ajay Devgn-directed “Bholaa” (2023) features a total of four tracks in comparison to its original Tamil film “Kaithi” (2019). The music for the film, composed by Ravi Basrur with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, has increased the film’s emotional resonance among audiences all over the world. While there are many shortcomings in the film, the music by Basur played a significant role in elevating the film’s narrative, blending intense orchestral tones with soulful melodies.
The first track, “Nazar Lag Jayegi,” composed by Ravi Basrur, is a delicate blend of classical Indian musical instruments and present-day sounds, giving the song a haunting but memorable melody. Lyricized by Irshad Kamil and voiced by Indian playback singer Javed Ali, the song perfectly contemplates the themes of yearning and reminiscence, just like on-scene. Throughout the song, Ajay Devgn’s character remembers his wife, Dr. Saraa, to the point of the fateful night of her death and her untimely separation from him.
Several south-Indian artists had joined the ranks of supporting voices in the song, including Santosh Venky, Sarwar Khan, Sachir Basrur, Rafik Khan, Sai Charan Baskaruni, Manjur Khan, and Ravi Basrur. Ethnic Strings was played by Subhani Ongole, while Bharath Madhusudanan played Harmonium, and the bass instrument segments were composed by Carl Fernandez. Released on February 20, 2023, the music video has garnered 49,358,811 views on YouTube to date.
The second track, “Aadha Main Aadhi Vo,” is a romantic duet performed by renowned playback singers B Praak and Palak Munchal with lyrics composed by the talented Irshad Kamil, while Ravi Basrur showcased his versatility in blending traditional and Indian musical elements with contemporary sounds once again. The poignant track provided a much-needed contrast to the high-octane action scene in the film, mellowing the plot and showcasing the more personal aspects of the hero’s life for audiences.
The opening alaap of the song was sung by Swaroop Khan. Violin and viola artist Sandilya Pisapati, flute artist Lalith Talluri, and sarangi artist Manomani were also flawless in their parts. The original YouTube video, posted on March 15, 2023, has garnered 36,452,645 views to date.
Must Read: Bad Newz: Vishal Mishra ‘Jaanam’ Hits Global Music Charts, Taking the World by Storm!
The third song, “Paan Dukaniya,” is a seductive musical number from ‘Bholaa” (2023), featuring Raai Laxmi. Composed by Ravi Basrur and lyricized by Irshad Kamil, the song features the duet of Kanika Kapoor and Swaroop Khan in lead voices. The playful and catchy sounds of the song reflect a brisk mix of contemporary and folk culture, adding a significant cultural imprint of folk India, in which the film is set. Later parts of the music also bore playback singers Bharath Madhusudhanan, Chetan Hardattu, and Krishna Basrur’s touches. Released on YouTube on April 8, 2023, the song has received 2,883,434 views to date.
The fourth and final track, “Dil Hai Bholaa,” is a tribute to the hero’s rage and anger, voiced by singer Amit Mishra. Guitar segments were composed by Nisith Hegde, while Ashwin Shiryan played bass guitar segments and Mayank Sharma played drums. Standing at 4:36 minutes, it’s the longest track in the song and features an epic conclusion to the film.
