Dreams always do come true…|Apr. 16, 2021|India|113 Min.
Genre: Bollywood;Drama;Music;Romance
Description: “99 Songs” is a 2021 Hindi film that begins with a father telling his son, “In this world, the most dangerous thing is… music.” This bold statement immediately captures attention, especially since the film’s story is crafted by the legendary AR Rahman.
The protagonist, Jay (played by Ehan Bhat), embodies the essence of a contemplative musician. He feels an inexplicable pull toward music, describing it as a form of awakening. The film chronicles his journey to demonstrate that music is, as one character puts it, the last remaining magic in this world.
Jay’s path is influenced by his girlfriend, Sophia (Edilsy Vargas), whose father, Sanjay Singhania (Ranjit Barot), views music more as a commodity than art. When Jay expresses his desire to compose songs, Sanjay challenges him to prove that a single song can change the world. However, there’s a catch: Jay cannot meet or even communicate with Sophia until he achieves this goal.
Music is undeniably the heart of “99 Songs.” The film unfolds largely through its songs, with director Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy employing a music video-like style. The visuals, captured by cinematographers Tanay Satam and James Cowley, are sleek, with rapid cuts, minimal dialogue, and polished production design by Aparna Raina. However, this approach also proves to be a drawback, as the scenes don’t linger long enough to fully immerse the audience emotionally. Instead, the images flash by as if in a dream.
“99 Songs” is an exploration of the transformative power of music, blending artistic ambition with personal challenges in a visually captivating narrative.
Cast director: Pasupuleti Krishna Vamsi
Cast actor: Ehan Bhat, Edilsy Vargas, Manisha Koirala, Lisa Ray, Tenzing Dalha, Warina Hussain, Ranjit Barot, Neel Tyagi, Rahul Ram, Diwakar Pundir
Original name: 99 Songs