Ek Deewana Tha: Broadway comes to Bollywood

The musical Ek Deewana Tha kick-started yesterday.

KARACHI:

Bollywood is all set to witness its first ‘musical’ film. Although every other Bollywood film is nothing less than a musical but still Ek Deewana Tha is being termed as the first of its kind. Written and directed by Gautham Menon, the film stars Amy Jackson and Prateik Babbar in the lead roles.

However, the most interesting aspect of the film is its music. This time around it’s the timeless duo of the brilliant Javed Akhtar and the great AR Rahman working together. The duo has contributed music to the epic films Jodha Akbar, Swades and Kisna: The Warrior Poet which has led them to receive critical and commercial acclaim all over the world.

Bollywood pundits have high expectations from the music of the film and believe that after composing by far the best music in the form of Rockstar, the maestros will give us the best album of 2012 in the form of Ek Deewana Tha.

Some of the songs that have been released on YouTube don’t seem that extraordinary — there is great poetry but not enough impressive music on offer. But, one should never underestimate Rahman, he has sold films just on the basis of his music and his Midas touch can come into play in the final film.

In a nutshell, the film is a must-watch for A R Rahman fans and poetry lovers. Although it isn’t expected to make a big impact at the box office due to its new cast and experimental format, it might leave an impression on critics and create its own cult-like following.

The romantic musical will premiere on February 17 and will play on selected screens in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th, 2012.