Music Review Finding Fanny

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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USA: Oye! Times readers Get FREE $30 to spend on Amazon, Walmart…Expectations:

We do have high expectations from this film from the co-producer of Love Aaj Kal, Agent Vinod, Cocktail and above all, Go Goa Gone, and the look and vibe of Finding Fanny fans our hopes further!

Music:

Mathias Duplessy, like another overseas composer, Wayne Sharpe in Raajneeti's 'Dhan dhan dharti', shows that where there is a will, there is an Indian way. His 'Fanny re' (sung and written by Mukhtiyar Ali) is delightfully desi in its final tenor, and the correct Goan element comes in through the placid notes of the omnipresent single guitar,

The song has a second version, in which the only difference is that the words 'Mahi ve' substitute for 'Fanny re.' But while all this is fine, and the song has the right inflections and touches needed from the singer, we find it odd, knowing the basis of the story, to have Punjabi lyrics even here, given that the characters of Fanny and her sweetheart are both Goan Catholics! So, while appreciating this song on its own merit and steam, we have to mull over the big issue of how Punjabi music is overriding even the themes of the films and the characters.

Coming to the composition itself, Mathias' melody is basic and universal, and he provides the right Punjabi nuances. This is noticed especially in the different ways Mukhtiyar stretches the word (Fanny) 're' and (Mahi) 've' and takes to the higher octaves at diverse points in the song. There is also some effort done to impart a specific Punjabi feel to the antara.

The third song 'Ding dong' (sung and composed by Mathias) begins like any '70s Hindi number with a Western classical base, with whistling and a nonsensical yet musically infectious vocal prelude. It settles into an English number wherein the lyrics (Alan Mercer) go for mushy sentiments that are not necessarily grammatical. These are tangential lyrics on love, with enthusiasm replacing correctness in lingo. However, it must be said that this song sounds wholesome and much more Indian (as with Hindi songs in this zone from the '50s to '70s) than so many supposedly Hindi tracks nowadays!

Over now to the funkiest member on the soundtrack, 'Shake your bootiya' composed and written by Sachin-Jigar. And Dinoo (billed as a co-lyricist) seems to be an acronym for producer Dinesh Vijan.

The quirky lyrics hover between sense and (intentional) lack of coherent flow in this high-energy song. Incidentally, this is the first recent track I have heard that centers on the rear of the human anatomy and is neither lyrically nor musically offensive. And we thank all the powers-that-be within the film for not having a single Punjabi term in the lyrics, though, once again, the words and music do not belong to Goan terrain either!

Youth and hi-definition pep, pop and funk synergize in this quasi-masterpiece of a dance number that once again spotlights the skills of Sachin-Jigar as the only GenY composers with range and innovation up their sleeves.

And singer Divya Kumar, the full-throated powerhouse of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Ghanchakkar fame once again – to use a Hindi colloquialism – phaad detaa hai! That is the only phrase that can succinctly describe his vocal triumph!

Overall:

This English film with a Hindi version has largely promotional music, so we have to see what catches audience fancy. In our opinion, smart marketing can also make the title-track a winner, though it is 'Shake your bootiya' that is the obvious ace up the Fanny sleeve! Our rating is as always for the commercial prospects.

Our Pick:

Fanny Re, Mahi Ve, Shake your bootiya

Music: MATHIAS DUPLESSY & SACHIN-JIGAR
Lyrics: MUKHTIYAR ALI, ALAN MERCER, DINOO & SACHIN-JIGAR
Music Label: SONY MUSIC

Article written by staff at Bollywood Hungama. Read more