Breakaway - Music Review by Moviehattan

Akshay and RDB have proved in the past with Singh Is Kinng (Singh Is Kinng), Om Mangalam (Kambakht Ishq) and Paisa Paisa (De Dana Dan) that they are a super-hit team together when it comes to churning out hit singles. During Singh Is Kinng, Akshay had roped in Snoop Dogg which gave the some international mileage and brought in the trend of getting Hollywood singers to do Chiggy Wiggy like Kylie Minogue did with him in Blue. That's the reason why SRK followed Akshay's strategy and brought in Akon to sing Chammak Challo for his Ra One. However, Tata Young was the first who had Dhoom'ed for YRF but the original song was a bigger hit and it overshadowed Young's version, yet the craze to bring in International celebs caught on with Singh Is Kinng and now many star producers from Bollywood are looking to join hands with international celebs. Coming on to Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) soundtrack featuring RDB, Ludacris, Jassi Sidhu, Veronica, Rishi Rich, Sandeep Chowta and Drake you expect a typical bhangra album. So what’s in store let’s check it out!!

A rather romantic beginning to the album with Ne Aaja Ve crooned by Veronica has the hallmark stamp of Rishi Rich who earlier rocked Bollywood with U'n'I (Hum Tum) and Dil Mera (Kyaa Kool Hai Hum). While Veronica hums the English lyrics, the Punjabi flavour is introduced by H-Dhami. The song has good pace and you can hear it peacefully or even shake a leg if you want. A thumping song which will surely sweep you off the floor. Thumbs Up!!

Shera Di Khom or Shera Di Kaum is actually the correct synonym of Singh Is Kinng and while in 2008 you had Car Speakers blasting the title tracks both Mika and RDB version, 2011 you will hear Shera Di Kaum in every other car up in North of India. The presence of international star Ludacris takes this song up for an international success as well. The craze of the song has spread like wild fire with the music video release featuring Akshay Kumar, RDB, Ludacris and the SS cast. Another great song from the Akshay-RDB Team, it won't be long when you may find this team come again to thump with the sequel of Singh Is Kinng which is being scripted. An International blockbuster, two thumbs up.

The next song is also a racey RDB number called Sansar. It has an amazing rap by J-hind and a typical bhangra feel to it. The hip hop mixed with Bhangra spells magic for this number just like it did for the previous number. The song is too short for your liking, yet this number packs in enough punch to make a mark in short span of time. Another winner.

After a hat-trick of super-hit Bhangra Hip Hop songs comes an unadulterated 100% bhangra number Veer Da Viha derived from the Internation Hit "Veerji Vehon Chaleya" from his album Aawan Ni Aawan. This Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) version is sung by Jassi Sidhu as well and with a little twist of lyrics to get the song as per the situation of the movie, comes another great song from the singer. This song's composition is similar to the original and leaves the same impact, hence those who haven't heard the original will also be clean bowled.

An exciting end to the album comes with the traditional Punjabi song Rail Guddi with modified lyrics. The beats here are subdued a little bit to be called as a bhangra blaster yet it does the needful, i.e. make you form a train chain on the dance floor.

Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) is definitely an international album which will get a strong foot hold in India as well. The music springs up a surprise as it is not totally bhangra, it has an adequate quantity of Hip Hop and Rap to make its commercially viable both in International and National Markets.

Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) is only for those who love speedy, dancing bhangra tracks with a punch of hip-hop. If you are one of those who love mushy romantic numbers, this may sound as noise to you, so beware, although you may like Ne Aaja Ve.

Highly Recommended for Bhangra and Hip-Hop Lovers!

Rating - 4.5 / 5 Stars

Gurpreet Bhuller, Moviehattan Team

Breakaway Music Review By Bollywood Hungama

Music Review of Breakaway (Speedy Singhs)

It's time to revisit the funky sound of Singh Is King that had rocked the nation a few years ago with Akshay Kumar pairing up with Snoop Dogg. This time around it is Ludacris who pairs up with Akshay and the results are sensational all over again with 'Shera Di Kaum' turning out to be highly addictive track. With emphasis yet again on Punjabis ruling the world and being brave heart, 'Shera Di Kaum' has Ludacris, Manjit Rai, Nav Sembhi, Sarb Sembhi and Nindy Kaur jamming it up big time to come up with a track that has in it to become increasingly popular over weeks to come. What also makes this Ludacris and RDB written number special is the fact that it has an impressive music video to boast of as well.

Veronica Mehta has child like naughty vocals that border on sensuality and she brings them to full use once again with 'Ne Aaja Veh' which is a fun romantic number that is also composed by her. With H. Dhami joining her in this highly rhythmic number that again has a Punjabi base to it while carrying enough potential to find an entry into the DJ's playlists at the discotheques, 'Ne Aaja Veh' which is co-written by Rishi Rich and Veronica Mehta is another sure-fire chartbuster in the making. In fact by this time one starts wondering (in a positive way) about the new approach that Sandeep Chowta has managed for his sound. Next to come is RDB written 'Sansar' which has a sound similar to the one they had created in the title track of Aloo Chaat.

This highly energetic number brings on the kind of pace and rhythm that has an infectious appeal to it. Also, RDB, J-Hind, Kat Eyez and Smooth do well as singers in this track which is a mix of Punjabi pop and rap with a club sound making sure that 'Sansar' manages to make an impact when it plays during the film's background. It may not work as a standalone track that you hum along but has in it to entice you into shaking a leg or two. The 'instrumental' version that follows is just the right bonus one would have wanted out of 'Sansar'. Sandeep Chowta makes it four in a row with Jassi Sidhu doubling up as a singer and lyricist for 'Veer Ji Viyohn'. This one is the least adulterated number of all when it comes to bringing on a 'desi' Punjabi flavour to the proceedings.

A celebration number which has a traditional appeal to it and is set during a wedding in progress, 'Veer Ji Viyohn' has Kale Wala Sangha and Ajay Virmani joining as co-lyricists. Expect the song to find a much bigger presence up North during wedding season. Meet Bros. Anjjan are roped in to compose a special title track for the film and they don't disappoint. Even as Kumaar injects Speedy Singh into the lyrics of 'Asi Chaddi Wale Yaar', you know that this is yet another fun number in the making. 'We are brothers from different mothers' forms the punch-line of this pacy, young and energetic number that goes with the spirit of the film. Meet Bros. and Josh render this number in accordance to the Punjabi mood and setting of the film and ensure that it would accentuate the euphoric mood of the film, especially if it's 'remix version' plays as a part of the background score.

Jassi Sidhu returns to the scene with the eternal celebration number 'Rail Gaddie'. Written by Palvinder Dhami and Rishi Rich, this one picks up from traditional Punjabi music and follows a sound similar to that of 'Veer Ji Viyohn'. Meanwhile Sandeep Chowta peppers this track with elaborate arrangements that give it a more contemporary sound that would go well with youngsters and adults alike.  

OVERALL

Music of Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) throws a pleasant surprise because it has arrived out of nowhere and ended up promising 3-4 songs that have in them to enjoy a sustained audience for themselves. While 'Shera Di Khom' is the pick of the lot and is a chartbuster in the making, 'Ne Aaja Veh' is a romantic track with a difference. As for the fun element, there are 'Asi Chaddi Wale Yaar' and 'Sansar' that ensure momentum for Breakaway (Speedy Singhs). Sandeep Chowta along with guest composers Meet Bros. Anjjan come up with compositions that should work not just in India but also find a crossover audience in countries like Canada, UK, USA where there is huge market for such Punjabi music which isn't limited to a film's theatrical run.  

OUR PICK(S)

'Shera Di Khom', 'Ne Aaja Veh', 'Asi Chaddi Wale Yaar', 'Sansar

For filmmaker Vinay Virmani, father knows best

Sometimes, in the middle of the night, Vinay Virmani would lie awake thinking about Breakaway, the movie he co-wrote and stars in. Then he would hear one of the film’s producers shuffling around in the kitchen.

That’s how many pivotal discussions would begin, in the living room or kitchen of their Oakville home, over a bowl of cereal.

“I’d get up at two in the morning,” his father, Ajay Virmani, recalls. “I’d say, ‘We should change this scene. What do you think?’ Then we’d debate it for two hours.”

“The great thing about our relationship,” Vinay, 26, says, “is that when we talk about work, we don’t talk about it as a father and son. We talk about it as two people who started this company together.” This afternoon, they are at Roots on Bloor Street, trying on promotional jackets that the Canadian retailer made for their film.

The logo for the Speedy Singhs — the all-Sikh hockey team featured in Breakaway — is emblazoned on the back. In the movie, which premieres at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 10, Vinay plays Rajveer, whose father wants him to quit hockey to focus on the family business.

The film echoes parts of their lives. Vinay and Rajveer, for example, are both passionately pursuing unorthodox careers. In the film, Rajveer’s uncle runs a trucking company. In real life, Ajay runs Cargojet, Canada’s largest cargo airline. 

Like the father in the film, Ajay moved to Canada from India looking for opportunity. He arrived in 1975 armed with an economics degree, having worked in factories, washing windows and selling insurance. He got a clerical job at Cottrell Transport in 1976, worked his way up to the top and quit to start his own company in 1989. Five years later, he bought Cottrell. Cargojet went public in 2005; Ajay knew neither of his two children would adopt the business.

This is where story and real life diverge. Unlike the father in the film, Ajay encouraged his children to chase their dreams.

“My whole philosophy in life,” Ajay, 55, explains, “is if you want to be successful at something, you have to have passion for it. So follow your dreams and be stubborn enough that your dreams come true.” Then he adds, for the sake of practicality: “If you’re going to be successful in the entertainment business, make sure you know how to count your money.”

He sits in a leather armchair with his ankle crossed over his knee, his BlackBerry in one hand, his glasses in the other. Dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, Vinay is reclined in an adjacent seat. He chuckles at his father’s remark. He did take his advice. He got his bachelor’s degree in business from York University before studying at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York. This is his debut role.

The movie business isn’t foreign to Ajay, though. His good friend is Bollywood star Akshay Kumar. Ajay also executive- produced Deepa Mehta’s Oscar-winning film, Water.

His son had pitched him film ideas before — romantic comedies, dark dramas — but he didn’t bite until the summer of 2009. Prompted by his father’s wisdom — “Don’t depend on other people to give you scripts and cast you. If you’re not finding the right project, write one that you like and we’ll see if it’s feasible to develop,” Ajay said — Vinay stayed at the kitchen table until 5 a.m. one day and came up with Breakaway.

They say they are proud to have made a film that anyone can relate to. 

“He always says, ‘Don’t make films for yourself,’” Vinay explains.

“It’s like chefs,” says Ajay, who used to invest in restaurants such as Colborne Lane. “I’ve come across chefs who make dishes and say, ‘I don’t want to put pepper on it. I don’t want to commercialize it.’ Just because you like it, doesn’t mean everyone else likes it.”

If father and son both like it, however, it scores.

Breakaway screens Sept. 10 at the Visa Screening Room (Elgin) and Sept. 11 at AMC2 at TIFF.

 Source: National Post

Ne Aaja Veh feat. H-Dhami... balle! balle!! balle!!!

Hartinder Dhami you better know him as H-Dhami!!! He is a successful British-Indian bhangra act signed in 2007 to Rishi Rich Productions (RRP), a joint partnership between Rishi Rich and entertainment entrepreneur Waleed Jahangir. H-Dhami has also signed a deal with Sony BMG India for distribution in India.

Awards
- Won Best Video of Year by Zee TV audience for his debut single "Sadke Java" in 2007.
- Won "Best Newcomer" at the 2008 UK Asian Music Awards
- Nominated for 3 awards at the 2009 UK Asian Music Awards, "Best Act", "Best Video" for "Mitran Di Jaan" and "Best Male Act", winning "Best Act"

Watch BREAKAWAY’s Ne aaja Veh sung by Veronica feat. H-Dhami 

Exhilarating! Powerful! Traditional! Original! Contemporary! Jassi Sidhu...

Jassi Sidhu is a Bhangra singer and the former lead singer of British Asian bhangra band B21. He split from the group, declaring that they would "never, ever reconcile" and that "(B21 was) nothing more than a glorified mime act",quoting differences between himself and Bally Jagpal.

Watch Jassi Sidhu talks about Breakaway (Speedy Singhs) which he features alongside big names such as Russel Peters, Rob Lowe, and a cameo from Hiphop star Drake!

Another smash hit soundtrack from RDB

RDB (an acronym for Rhythm, Dhol, Bass) are a Punjabi DJ production team consisting of three indivduals: Kuly, Manj and Surj, who blend western genres with traditional Punjabi beats and vocals. They are based in Canada and the UK.

The groovy Punjabi track has been sung by RDB, who are famous for their chartbusting numbers, who have collaborated with Grammy award winning rapper Ludacris.

Ludacris makes history with Breakaway (Speedy Singhs)

Christopher Brian Bridges (born September 11, 1977),[1] better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings. Ludacris has won a Screen Actors Guild, Critic's Choice, MTV, and several Grammy Awards during his career.

Grammy Awards winner Ludacris recently shot for a special song Shera Di Kaum with Akshay Kumar and the smashing Punjabi trio RDB. Its huge... so don't miss this one