The journey of “99 Songs” commences with a father imparting a profound insight to his son: “Indha ulagathula irukkara ketta pazhakkangal vyaadhigal ellathayum vida kodumayanadhu… music.” This startling proclamation immediately captivates attention, especially considering the film’s narrative originates from the creative mind of AR Rahman himself.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 16 April 2021 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Musical, Romance |
| Duration | 2h 11min |
| Cast | Ehan Bhat, Edilsy Vargas, Tenzin Dalha, Lisa Ray, Manisha Koirala, Warina Hussain, Thomson Andrews, Ranjit Barot, Rahul Ram, Diwakar Pundir, Remo Fernandes, Ashwath Bhatt, Kurush Deboo, Neel Tyagi, Chaitnya Sharma, Kunal Kamra |
| Director | Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy |
| Writer | Hussain Dalal |
| Cinematography | Tanay Satam, James Cowley |
| Music | A. R. Rahman |
| Producer | A. R. Rahman |
| Production | Ideal Entertainment YM Movies |
| Certificate | 16+ |
The son, Jay (portrayed by Ehan Bhat, embodying the essence of a contemplative musician), finds an inexplicable allure in music. To him, “Music oru bodhai.” Thus unfolds the tale of his quest to affirm that music, as one character eloquently states, remains the last bastion of magic in this world. Jay’s journey is spurred by the challenge posed by his girlfriend Sophia’s father, Sanjay Singhania (played by Ranjit Barot), who views music merely as a commodity. When Jay expresses his desire to compose songs, Sanjay challenges him to prove that a single song can revolutionize the world. Jay accepts, but with a stipulation: he must refrain from contacting Sophia until he achieves his goal.
It comes as no surprise that music drives the narrative of “99 Songs.” The film predominantly unfolds through its melodic compositions, with director Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy adopting a style reminiscent of music videos, characterized by sleek visuals and rapid cuts. While this approach ensures a seamless integration of surreal elements, it occasionally undermines the emotional depth of the scenes. The non-linear narrative initially challenges viewers, lacking emotional anchors to invest in the characters. However, as the film progresses, it becomes evident that Rahman and Vishwesh aim to convey a broader message about the transformative power of music. Despite occasional moments of naivety, the film resonates with transcendental sequences, aided by Rahman’s mesmerizing music and stunning visuals.
In retrospect, while “99 Songs” may falter in its narrative pacing and character development, its overarching theme of music’s profound influence shines through, captivating audiences till the very end.
