CityLights (soundtrack)

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CityLights
CityLights (soundtrack).jpg
Soundtrack album by
Jeet Gannguli
Released12 May 2014 (2014-05-12)
Recorded2013–2014
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length32:18
Language Hindi
Label Sony Music India
Producer Mukesh Bhatt
Jeet Gannguli chronology
Youngistaan
(2014)		CityLights
(2014)		 Singham Returns
(2014)
Singles from CityLights
  1. "Muskurane"
    Released: 2 May 2014

CityLights is the soundtrack album to the 2014 film of the same name directed by Hansal Mehta and produced by Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films and Fox Star Studios. The soundtrack featured seven songs composed by Jeet Gannguli and lyrics written by Rashmi Singh and was released under the Sony Music India label on 12 May 2014 to positive reviews from critics. Rashmi won the Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for the song "Muskurane" amongst other accolades.

Contents

Development

Jeet Gannguli was assigned to score music for the film, after Mahesh Bhatt, the CEO of Vishesh Films, had recommended his name to Mehta. The music sittings held in late-2013, at Gannguli's house with Mukesh, Mahesh, Mehta and Gannguli being present. When the tunes were conceptualized, Gannguli recorded the songs while Rashmi wrote the lyrics simultaneously. [1] He was recommended to compose songs that would be reminiscent of R. D. Burman and S. D. Burman's works, and the score should be sweeping for a small, offbeat film. [2]

Mehta's experience on learning with classical musician Rashid Khan, helped him to bring Khan and Usha Uthup for recording the title song. Gannguli used Khan's aalap in the background as an extended addition. The song "Ek Charraiya" was tuned when Gannguli was asked to compose a song based on a tune that Mehta liked. The song was based on his own memories on migrating from Kolkata to Mumbai for working in Bollywood music industry. [2] He recorded the scratch vocals which Mehta liked, and that resulted in him using it for the unplugged version and included in the film. The original version is recorded by Arijit Singh. The song "Darbadar" was recorded in a workshop with singer Neeti Mohan, and "Soney Do" was recorded over a night with vocals by Arijit Singh. [2]

While Gannguli had finished scoring four tunes, Mukesh wanted a "great romantic melody which would create an indelible mark in the mind of the listeners for a long time to come". [1] Gannguli then came up with a tune at midnight which his wife Chandrani complimented it as "fantastic". [2] Then, he played the 'mukhda' of the song to Mukesh, to which the latter liked it, and the following morning, Gannguli came up with the antara and played it to Mukesh and Mehta, whom liked it. [2] Gannguli, then sent the tune to Rashmi who wrote the lyrics in a couple of hours, eventually led to the song "Muskurane" being developed. Gannguli recorded two versions of the song with Arijit and Mohammed Irfan and recorded it within 2–3 hours. [3]

Release

The song "Muskurane" was first released in the Indian television show Beintehaa aired through Colors TV on 2 May 2014, prior to its airing on other music channels. [4] [5] The same day it was released as a music video and a digital single. [6] The soundtrack was released by Sony Music India on 12 May 2014. [7]

Reception

Joginder Tuteja of Rediff.com wrote "It's obvious that the Bhatts are trying to experiment and moving away from their usual style. So it's ironical that the number that makes the biggest impression is Muskurane, which bears their signature sound." [8] Priya Adivarekar of The Indian Express wrote "The album could have been better, but Gannguli does a fairly good job." [9] Rajiv Vijayakar of Bollywood Hungama stated "Emotionally moving sums up this beautiful and heartfelt album. Rashmi Singh is a brilliant find with lyrics that are direct and pithy. And we wonder why melody cannot be so supple each time, and lyrics so simple, direct, unalloyed and devoid of oblique metaphors and an overdose of the wrong elements. For this alone, the music team deserves a standing ovation." [10] Karthik Srinivasan of Milliblog described "Citylights is the best Hindi soundtrack by Jeet Ganguli yet." [11]

Track listing

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Muskurane" Arijit Singh 5:34
2."Darbadar" Neeti Mohan 4:22
3."Ek Charraiya"Arijit Singh4:46
4."Citylights" (Title Song) Ustad Rashid Khan, Usha Uthup 3:23
5."Soney Do"Arijit Singh4:27
6."Ek Charraiya" (Unplugged) Jeet Gannguli 4:47
7."Muskurane" (Unplugged) Mohammad Irfan Ali 4:59
Total length:32:18

Accolades

AwardDate of ceremony [a] CategoryRecipientsResultRef.
BIG Star Entertainment Awards 18 December 2014Most Entertaining Singer (Male) Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Won [12]
Filmfare Awards 31 January 2015 Best Lyricist Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Won [13]
[14]
Global Indian Music Academy Awards 24 February 2015 Best Male Playback Singer Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Won [15]
[16]
Best Film Album CityLights – Jeet Gannguli and Rashmi Singh Nominated
Best Engineer – Film Album Eric Pillai Nominated
International Indian Film Academy Awards 5–7 June 2015 Best Lyricist Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated [17]
[18]
[19]
Best Male Playback Singer Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated
Mirchi Music Awards 27 February 2015 Album of the Year CityLights – Jeet Gannguli and Rashmi Singh Nominated [20]
[21]
Song of The Year "Muskurane"Nominated
Song of The Year (Listener's Choice)Won
Music Composer of The Year Jeet Gannguli – "Muskurane"Nominated
Male Vocalist of The Year Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Won
Lyricist of The Year Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated
Upcoming Lyricist of The Year Won
Raag-Inspired Song of the Year"Soney Do"Won
Star Guild Awards [b] 12 January 2015 Best Lyricist Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated [23]
[24]
Stardust Awards 15 December 2014Best Lyricist Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated [25]
[26]
[27]
Best Male Playback Singer Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated
Screen Awards 14 January 2015 Best Lyricist Rashmi Singh – "Muskurane"Nominated [28]
[29]
Best Female Playback Singer Arijit Singh – "Muskurane"Won

Notes

  1. ↑ Date is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.
  2. ↑ Also known as Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards. [22]

References

  1. 1 2 Ria Lawrence (29 August 2014). "Jeet Gannguli: Music has no barriers of region or language". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Roshmila Bhattacharya (24 July 2014). "Muskurane Ki Wajah: Eternal melody at midnight". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  3. ↑ Anuj Kumar (6 August 2014). "Banjaara comes home". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  4. ↑ "Arijit Singh's marvel "Muskurane" makes its debut on Beintehaa". The Times of India . 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 25 December 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  5. ↑ "'Citylights' song to debut on TV show". India TV News . 2 May 2014. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  6. ↑ "Muskurane (Romantic) - Single by Arijit Singh & Jeet Ganguli". iTunes Store. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2014.
  7. ↑ "Citylights (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. 12 May 2014. Archived from the original on 27 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  8. ↑ Joginder Tuteja (17 May 2014). "Review: The Citylights album is pleasing". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  9. ↑ Priya Adivarekar (30 May 2014). "CityLights music review: Hear it for 'Muskarane' at least". The Indian Express . Archived from the original on 23 August 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  10. ↑ Rajiv Vijayakar (30 May 2014). "Citylights Music Review". Bollywood Hungama . Archived from the original on 13 January 2025. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  11. ↑ Karthik Srinivasan (12 May 2014). "Citylights (Music review), Hindi – Jeet Ganguli". Milliblog . Archived from the original on 27 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2025.
  12. ↑ "Big Star Entertainment Awards Nominations List 2014". Reliance Broadcast Network. Archived from the original on 16 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  13. ↑ "60th Britannia Filmfare Awards 2014: Complete list of winners". The Times of India . 31 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  14. ↑ "Nominations for the 60th Britannia Filmfare Awards". Filmfare . 19 January 2015. Archived from the original on 10 January 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  15. ↑ "GIMA Over The Years Film Music Nominees". Global Indian Music Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  16. ↑ "GIMA Winners for 2015". Global Indian Music Academy Awards. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Shahid Kapoor's 'Haider' wins big at IIFA technical awards". Daily News and Analysis . 22 April 2015. Archived from the original on 13 June 2015. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "'2 States', 'Haider' lead IIFA 2015 nominations, Aamir and SRK pitted for best actor". Daily News and Analysis. 14 April 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "'Queen' wins top honours at IIFA". Business Standard . 8 June 2015. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  20. ↑ "7th Mirchi Music Awards Nominations". Mirchi Music Awards. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "7th Mirchi Music Awards Winners". Mirchi Music Awards. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "Watch: Was Salman Khan joking or just being rude?". CNN-IBN. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
  23. ↑ "Winners of 10th Renault Star Guild Awards". Bollywood Hungama . 12 January 2015. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  24. ↑ "Star Guild Awards 2015: Queen, PK Lead Nominations". NDTV. 9 January 2015. Archived from the original on 14 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  25. ↑ "Winners of Stardust Awards 2014". Bollywood Hungama . 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 15 December 2014. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Nominations for Stardust Awards 2014". Bollywood Hungama . 8 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "Stardust Awards 2014 nominations". Stardust . 7 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
  28. ↑ Bollywood Hungama (14 January 2015). "Winners of 21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards". Archived from the original on 16 January 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2015.
  29. ↑ "21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards nominations". The Indian Express . 7 January 2015. Archived from the original on 13 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
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