Girish Wankhede | mumbai@bollywoodtown.in
When one door closes, another opens’ is an old adage which one can experience in our mortal reality. So, when the music from mainstream Cinema started declining owing to the length of the films shrinking to two hours from good old three hours, the song parades like Binaca Geet Mala’ and Hindi Songs Playlist’ suddenly became a distant dream. It voluntarily got replaced with Independent Music’ comprising Pop and Rap but was devoid of the melody which one used to be enthralled in good olden days. Also, the OTT advent with Originals churning out from these platforms showed less of music and more of gore in their initial years. But as the bright light at the end of the tunnel flickers, the OTT Platforms woke up to the importance of Music in the Indian subcontinent and have delivered substantial music in Little Things’ Mismatched, Ludo and Qala, especially on Netflix. This happened when the Big Screen Cinema had the exceptions of Animal’ and Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’, the real action was on OTT Platforms with Maska, AK vs AK, House Arrest and now brilliantly positioned Bhakshak’.
Directed by debutante Pulkit and Produced by Red Chilies Entertainment, Bhakshak’ is a Hindi Crime thriller feature film which revolves around a firebrand journalist who is embroiled in the process of unearthing the dark secrets of a shelter home in Bihar. Based on the true story and featuring Bhumi Pednekar in an impressive lead, this gripping drama boasts of an impressive background score by Clinton Cerejo and Binaca Gomes. Both have kept the sound low and palliative to the dark narrative and have excelled in the emotional segments. The shining armor is indeed the main vocal’ Ganga’ out of three songs which is sung by Megha Sriram Dalton and Anurag Saikia. Composed by Anurag, who has become a veteran of sorts with issue based films like Bheed, Thappad, Article 15 and Mulk, this specific song has a folk feel with vocals of Megha just piercing your heart and soul. Its scintillating quality is complemented by the dark and melancholic visuals. This song is indigently able to convey the pathos and the regional shuddery. The other Song, Shamil Hai’ has a feel of a clarion. Its chorus is an upbeat and aggressive take on the traditional motivational songs with an element of vogue. Romy and Anurag do the validation with their strong vocals to this rather lengthier than 7 minutes’ song and are effective enough. The third song is titled Chanda’ which is penned by Anuj Garg who is also the composer. Sung by Yajat Garg, it is a natty melody which underplays itself and complements the visuals.
In this dark and disturbing tale, these three songs are the only lifting elements which keep up your spirits. With modern sound and impeccable blend with narrative, this album is another win for OTT Platforms which are blamed for the downturn of Indian Music. Bhakshak’ has a compelling tale with well-built background and poignant music album which gives a justification for modern storytelling.
