You tell me...which song comes to your mind first when the bedazzling star’s name ’Himesh Reshammiya’s’ name is mentioned ? : A.) AASHIQ BANAYA...AASHIQ BANAYA AAPNE
OR B.) OODLI..CHUNARRIYA..TERE NAAM KI
Obviously, it is a biased question and obviously 99% of us would answer "A". Now, why is that such a Rocking Personality has all of a sudden noticed by masses and masses of audiences nationwide ? Because he stepped up the plated and started singing ? May we need be reminded that there were plenty of films he composed before the classic Aashiq Banaya Aapne ? Here is a list of music Mr. Reshammiya has composed from his intro song "OODLI CHUNARIYA" from PYAAR KIYA TO DARNA KYA up until post production films (COURTESY OF IMDB.COM)
Milenge Milenge (2006) (in production) Agar (2007) (announced) Anamika (2007) (announced) Anjaam (2007) (announced) Mr. Fraud (2007) (filming) My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves (2007) (filming) Namaste, London (2007) (filming) Shaka Laka Boom Boom (2007) (filming) Dil Diya Hai (2006) (filming) Apne (2006) (filming) Good Boy, Bad Boy (2006) (filming) Partner (2006) (filming) Welcome (2006) (filming) Benaam (2007) (post-production) Love Story 2050 (2006) (post-production)
Rocky: The Rebel (2006) Aap Ki Khatir (2006) Ahista Ahista (2006) Anthony Kaun Hai (2006) Chup Chup Ke (2006) Phir Hera Pheri (2006)
... aka Hera Pheri 2 (India: Hindi title) Anjaane: The Unkown (2006) (as Himesh Reshmmiya) Ek Dhun Banaras Kee (2006)
... aka Banaras: A Mystic Love Story (India: English title) Shaadi Se Pehle (2006) Aksar (2006) 36 China Town (2006) Tom, Dick, and Harry (2006) Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005) Kyon Ki (2005) Koi Aap Sa (2005) Aashiq Banaya Aapne: Love Takes Over (2005) Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? (2005) Yakeen (2005) Silsiilay (2005) Main Aisa Hi Hoon (2005) Kuchh Meetha Ho Jaye (2005) Nigehbaan: The Third Eye (2005) Blackmail (2005) Insaan (2005) Vaada (2005) Dil Maange More!!! (2004) Aitraaz (2004) Shukriya: Till Death Do Us Apart (2004) Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha (2004) Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004) Julie (2004) Bardaasht (2004) Tum: A Dangerous Obsession (2004) Zameen (2003) Footpath (2003) (song "Soorat Pe Teri Pyaar Aaye") Tere Naam (2003) Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne (2003)
... aka Captured by You (International: English title) Chalo Ishq Ladaaye (2002) Humraaz (2002) Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002) Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya (2001) Jodi No.1 (2001) Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000) Kurukshetra (2000) Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000)
Hello Brother (1999) Bandhan (1998) Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) (song "Odh Li Chunariya")
As one can see, at least half of his films composed thus far have been before his major success. Indeed one needs that in their career in order to go the the next level. However, films like Humraaz, Churaliya Hain Tumne, Yeh Hain Jalwa, and the amazing Tere Naam were huge hits at a time.
"Aap Ki Khashish" and "Aashiq Banaya" allowed a new era of music to be brought into the Bollywood industry- an era of Himesh !
It is a plus that directors today personally ask Himesh to compose one or two songs just to get a couple of audience members to stay at the theatre during the film (i.e. Rocky et al). Reviews on shows such as Asian Variety Show ask viewers of a certain like (i.e. Dil Diya Hain) and each time the same response was given: " I SAW THE FILM BECAUSE OF THE SONGS OF HIMESH"
Films are lacking the ’filmy’ and adding the music touch. Himesh is allowing directors to look outside of the box and create cash flows in the box office all because of his melodious tunes.
So what is the problem ? Clubs have a more variety of music. Teenagers are raving and dancing to every tune. Kids on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa are singing his songs. The idea of Himesh in the Indian society is ideal for many reasons as I just stated above. Children of all ages are getting more and more motivated to do something with themselves and play that violin a bit more and enhance on their singing. Think. in the United States there are an average of 500 high schools per state. At least 400 of those schools must have some form of a music program including band, orchestra, chorale, and so forth. And statistics have been given that 99% of high school students enrolled in the National Honor Society have some affiliation with music. That is just in the United States itself.
With people like Himesh showing the utmost compassion in music, this allows the children of tomorrow to follow their dreams, follow their hearts, and most of all...have fun ! I do not mean this for musicians...this could be for anyone, a medical student, a lawyer, an emloyee for Starbucks..you get my point. It is important in life to have drive and passion in what you do. Afterall, if there is no passion, then what fun is it ?
Himesh has allowed a new meaning of music in the Bollywood music to be defined. His involvement in the industry (including being a judge on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005) has been outstanding. Not to mention opening a school of music in London and giving opportunities to kids adds up. Look at his Aap Ka Suroor World Tour...runner up Vinit (from Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2005) and Himani went on this tour. Kids who were just on a show are now on a Wolrd Tour ?! Not often is such an opportune given to kids. But after seeing this, this allows children to get up, do what makes them happy, sing a few tunes and keep working at it. Look at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa LiL Champs...more voters and viewers and contestants were involved than ever before. The word is being spread and we need people like Himesh to keep that much alive.
I myself think Himesh is a good composer. He is not the only one...there are plenty more out there and I commend each and every one of them. Himesh has just been one such figure who has been able to come out of his shell and do the unthinkable. Musician, singer, teacher, now...soon to be actor ?
Thank you Himesh...for we have missed Kishore Kumar...and now you have shown us that Kishore Kumars are still out there today !