Bol kya naam hai tera.....Johnny

I have always had a knack for title sequences. How does the credits roll in the start or in the end of a film is as important for me as how is the plot unravelled in a story.

I remember how Dev Benegal showed us the opening shot of Inside Man in our script to screen workshop - the Chaiyya Chaiyya that followed Clive Owen's exposition - it was pulse racing stuff. I loved my MCRC's classroom then. What sound, what atmosphere. I could have sat in there for years together. When the credits for Inside Man ended, the next line that came from Dev sir was - "the rest of the film hardly lives upto the kind of opening :)"

Here's a link to one of the finest musical openings of Indian cinema. None other than Vijay Anand's classic - Johnny Mera Naam. Do take out time and enjoy this credit sequence and imagine yourself in a theatre in 70s - Wow! what ripples it must have created.

Kalaynji-Anandji were at their best. Note the opening of Johnny Gaddar - the same trumpet - albeit a little contemporary in style. and note the smart Alec in in Vijay Anand - I.S Johar coming up three times. And here's an interesting note for hindi film music lovers - remember Babla Beats - the guy who used to play the bongo so effectively - here in these credits of Johnny Mera Naam, he is credited as an assistant. No wonder those beats, they are so trademark Babla.

Maybe i remember them coz Navratri in 1980s was not complete without the "Babla 90 minute Non-Stop music cassette"

Presently, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is the best music trio who know the style of Kalyanj-Anandji's music inside out. Guess what - not just Johnny Gaddar - they also redefined Kalyanji-Anandji's music in Don. I so loved the experience of sitting in that hall and discovering that "Don never died" - the music, the aura - if only i could write music!



P.S: My uncle was always of opinion that "Kalayanji-Anandji knew the business of film music like no one else. After giving some average music in three to four films, when their existence would come to question - the would come up with a master-piece. That master-piece would stamp their brand of music and they could survive for more three to four films...:)