Bajirao Mastani Film Songs

[Magdalen Dano]

BajiraoMastani is the soundtrack album, composed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali with assistance by Shreyas Puranik and Devrath to the 2015 Hindi film of the same name. The film stars Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles. The album, originally recorded in Hindi features nine songs, and was released on 31 October 2015 by Eros Music. The original score of the film is composed by Sanchit Balhara.[4]

The music in the film is situational and narrative in nature. The songs were conceived progressively with the development of film script that was completed in twelve years. Bhansali was inspired by the music of Mughal-e-Azam to compose the film soundtrack. The songs cover genres of Marathi folk, Sufi, lavani, qawwali and Indian classical apart from fusion of different ragas in single tracks.

Upon release, music critics anticipated in positive that the tunes will match visuals, justifying lyrical interpretations. Critics noted the album as semi-classical, emphasizing more on harmonies, melodies and rhythms. Although the background score was called thunderous and elaborate, well into the film's soundscape, it was criticised for overuse and strength.

Bhansali was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for his music direction. However, Shreya Ghoshal won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Deewani Mastani". Artistes Justin Jose and Biswadeep Chatterjee won the National Film Awards for Best Audiography, the former awarded for final re-recording, whereas the latter for sound design. The film score was nominated under Best Original Music category at the Asian Film Awards 2016.[5]

Sanjay Leela Bhansali took inspiration for the songs from the film Mughal-E-Azam (1960). For the track "Albela Sajan", Bhansali has tuned Kishori Amonkar, who has sung the original track in the raag Bhoopali. The composition was blended with another raag titled Ahir Bhairav. Bhansali added that Shiv Kalyan Raja, a Marathi album by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, apart from Marathi folk and classical music were inspirations for the soundtrack of Bajirao Mastani. The track "Mohe Rang Do Laal" was composed when Bhansali was waiting at the airport after his flight got cancelled. The initial composition of "Deewani Mastani" dates to twelve years back where Bhansali conceived the track while having a shower. He adds: "That was the first time I had thought of making Bajirao Mastani as a film."[6] The song opens with Marathi lyrics "Nabhatoon aali apsara, ashi sundara, saaz sazvuna" which translates to "A fairy has stepped down from the skies, so beautiful and all dressed up."[7] Lyricist Prashant Ingole, on writing for the song "Gajanana" stated: "I was asked to write an aarti for Ganpati and I wanted to do something that was never done before. So I went back home and asked my mother the different names of Ganeshji, and jotted them down." The song "Gajanana" was composed by Shreyas Puranik.[8]

Justin Jose K. was involved the key sound mixing of the soundtrack and original score.[9] According to him, some scenes required a lot of probe into the characters and the mood.[9] His team involved for sound mix worked for nearly 600 hours for a month and a half.[9] They had to study the characters, the period of the film and the requirement as directed by Bhansali to set the sounds right on Dolby Atmos.[9]

Music critic Joginder Tuteja from Bollywood Hungama gave the album 3.5 stars (out of 5) saying: "Bajirao Mastani soundtrack is on the expected lines. A heavy album with as many as 10 tracks, it is high on classical base with a few potentially popular songs in there as well. Though at least half the songs in there are primarily situational, given Sanjay Leela Bhansali's expertise when it comes to spinning around wonderful visuals, they can be expected to make a good impression on screen."[10] Critic R. M. Vijayakar in his review for India-West gave the soundtrack a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and described the album to be a "fragrant rose". He stated: "The Maharashtrian ambiance, complete with riffs, choruses and traditional Marathi verse and excerpts, dominates "Bajirao Mastani's fascinating score, easily Sanjay Leela Bhansali's finest musical outing since "Devdas (2002)."[11] Aelina Kapoor from Rediff.com gave the album a score of 3 out of 5, stated that, "The music of Bajirao Mastani is a roller-coaster ride. Though there isn't anything wrong about Bhansali's tunes here, there are quite a few ups and downs in the 10 songs in the soundtrack. A lot of qawwali and romance in Bajirao Mastani's soundtrack."[12]

The first single from the soundtrack album "Gajanana" was launched on 23 September 2015, at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi Stadium in Pune in the presence of film's director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone.[28] The second single from the film, titled "Deewani Mastani" was launched on 21 October 2015 at an event in Delhi.[29]

After the release of soundtrack album on 31 October 2015, the third single, titled "Pinga" was scheduled to be released in a launch event on 14 November 2015, but it was cancelled due to the November 2015 Paris attacks.[30] It was then officially released online on 15 November 2015.[31]

The song titled "Malhari" was launched at an event in Bhopal on 29 November 2015.[32] The song "Albela Sajan"[33] and "Aayat"[34] along with "Malhari" were released in that order, forming promotional singles after the soundtrack album release.[35]

He has, time and again acknowledged his various inspirations for making films, and with Bajirao Mastani, he puts all those inspirations to the full use. Romance is the only genre which film makers never get bored of. But to create that conflict Bhansali once again uses the lives of 3 people. (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, Saawariya and now Bajirao Mastani). And in the current lot, there is no other Film maker who can depict the pathos or the suffering like he does.

The chemistry between the 3 protagonists in Bajirao Mastani is written brilliantly. The conversations between Bajirao- Mastani, Bajirao- Kashibai or Mastani- Kashibai. Every scene, every dialogue, every expression, manages to strike a chord with you.

In more than many ways, Mastani reminded me of Devdas Mukherjee and Bajirao reminded me of Paro. And in this role reversal of sorts, we get to see a whole lot of emotions of how different genders would act to certain characterizations. And only for that, Bajirao Mastani needs to seen.

In one terrific scene of romance, Bajirao is standing in a water fountain and Mastani embraces him inside the water body. After a few minutes, we see Kashibai going through the water body and bring Bajirao close to him. What Bajirao did for Mastani, Kashibai does the same for Bajirao. Their depiction of Love is beautifully conveyed in these scenes.

If water plays an important role, Fire is not behind. The Fire that is burning in all these 3 hearts are all because of Love and Longing. The pre interval scene where Bajirao and Mastani embrace in the Aaina Mahal, and after seeing them the way Kashibai reacts is one of the best moments of Bajirao Mastani. And there, on the other side Radhabai, carrying a torch, sees them. Note how these 2 lovers, caught with fire and passion in their heart for each other, are literally caught in between fire.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali uses the Hindu-Muslim love story to send out a strong message regarding religion, which is a slap on the face of all those who create hatred using religion and religious beliefs. The social commentary that he chooses to make with those few scenes are running throught the film in the background, which the use of colors. Note how Saffron and Green, form an important part of what we today call as Hindustan.

But I have been an unlucky Music fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali. In the past 3 Films, my most favorite songs have been omitted from the Movie. Why Bhansali sir, why? I exactly know where Fitoori comes in Bajirao Mastani, but it was disheartening not to see that gem of a composition in the Final cut.

Wish Sanjay Leela Bhansali releases the background music, specially the Ji ji re ji ji.. And it will be interesting to see what Bhansali would make next! Because Bajirao Mastani is gonna linger for a long long time. To match something of this scale is a mammoth task. But one thing I learnt from Sanjay Leela Bhansali is to never give up. And kudos to you for that, for keeping that dream and passion alive.

My favourite anecdote comes from one of my friend who saw a few songs on YouTube first, 'Deewani Mastani' being her favourite. Who wouldn't be mesmerised by that haunting melody, the opulence of the Aaina Mahal, and the sheer perfection of Deepika Padukone? When we got around to watching the film a few weeks later though, and 'Deewani Mastani' began to play, I watched my friend's world collapse as she realised what this song meant in the context of Kashi's story. "She can't just come in here and do that! Not to Kashi!" my friend stubbornly insisted. I couldn't help but laugh when she decided that she no longer liked the song because of this new perspective. I cannot think of a better way to describe the impact of Kashi on Bajirao Mastani.

Taking a cursory glance at Kashi, you might see her as nothing more than a self-sacrificing wife with tears in her eyes. Indeed, if one were to just read a synopsis of the film, they might think the same thing. However, a closer look at Kashi's words and actions reveal how much she is able to assert herself, even within the confines of her situation. As the wife of a Peshwa in the 18th century, she obviously does not have the option to leave her husband, even if he does decide to marry another woman. Nor does she have the option to outwardly express her frustration, given that she has to remain composed for the sake of the institution and the Maratha Empire. Despite this, she manages to find her voice, refusing to be overlooked by the other characters in the film or by the audience.

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