This week's offbeat offering SOUNDTRACK is a legitimate remake of IT's ALL GONE PETE TONG (2004), which is based on the tragic life story of a famous DJ, who suddenly becomes deaf and then disappears mysteriously. Where the original is a kind of comedy made in a mockumentary style giving it an authentic feel, its Hindi remake is a rather serious adaptation of the film taking a somber look at the subject and its protagonist's life. Secondly the film is full of mature content including sequences of abuses, drug addiction and sex. So it should not be chosen as your choice for a family outing in this festive weekend.
Talking about its present Hindi version, it's a great choice of subject by its debutant director Neerav Ghosh, as the plot is new and has a fresh storyline, moving ahead of the routine stuff offered to the Indian audience. Though, I cannot give the credit of its brilliant story idea and various thoughtful sequences to Neerav, since he religiously follows the Original film in his adaptation. But the director does show his sparkling talent in the film and makes a difference.
A deserving mention has to be made for Neerav's own contribution in the execution wherein he very smartly even surpasses the original in several instances. Like, he replaces the ugly bear of the original with a Joker in SOUNDTRACK which is a relief and then tackles the subject in a more sensitive way with the introduction of Soha Ali Khan in the film post intermission. Where the film doesn't really justify its subject of a passionate, crazy DJ's story in the first half, it intelligently covers it all with a great second half which depicts the positivity between its lead characters Soha and Rajeev, superbly. And also the character of Mohan Kapur comes out to be much better in the Hindi version with an enhanced role in the script.
Strictly made on the lines of ITS ALL GONE PETE TONG, Neerav's SOUNDTRACK is shot well with a fine background score and some great inspiring scenes and well written dialogues. But the film is not perfect in every sense as it has some dull moments too in its otherwise engaging direction which hampers the real impact of the movie. Taking a clue from its title, I was really expecting some great songs in the film which were sadly not there. However, the use of real life celebrity clips (including names like Anurag Kashyap, Kailash Kher, Anu Malik, VJ Bani and many more), successfully give an authentic feel to the project impressing the viewer. But actually it's the last 15 minutes of the film which really work and you walk out thinking about the present life of RAUNAQ the DJ who strikes back as a fighting spirit even after becoming deaf and then goes into his self chosen exile.
The biggest drawback of the film is that despite of giving a spirited performance in the lead role, Rajeev Khandelwal somehow doesn't look like a passionate, mad DJ who lives heavily on boozing, drugs and sex. No doubt, Rajeev shows his deep understanding of the medium by choosing this film and does deliver his best too but its actually his physical appearance which doesn't match with the drug addict character on the screen. Still, he performs well and once again proves his acting mettle on the screen. On the other side both Soha Ali Khan as his teacher and Mohan Kapur as his manager are really good supporting him brilliantly. Specifically Soha plays it very brave by accepting such kind of role at this point of her career.
Working on the original script, director Neerav Ghosh also adds many Indian Family values into the film, which complement the overall impact of the movie and do not look like added deliberately. Hence on the whole, SOUNDTRACK is a well attempted inspiring movie which though cannot be called a perfect project but still has got the power to infuse a lot of positivity into the viewer.
As per the journey of the Deaf DJ in SOUNDTRACK, he clearly goes one step ahead than the journey of the bed ridden magician in GUZAARISH, simply redefining the meaning of PASSION and its importance in a person's life.
Though as a film, SOUNDTRACK is neither a masterpiece nor it will get some great results at the box office. But still it can easily become an alarming clock in our lives, which can make us realize the immeasurable value of all those numerous gifts granted to us by the Existence, which we just keep on enjoying without even noticing them throughout our life. So, if you are game for watching something out of the routine with a great message, then do watch SOUNDTRACK and feel the passion.
