Soft, soulful, soothing music complements Y. P. Singh’s hard-hitting film ‘Kya Yahi Sach Hai’ on police and bureaucratic corruption
This is a music album with a difference not because it is the soundtrack of an international award-winning film on police corruption and bureaucratic apathy in India...but because it is a memorable one reminiscent of the days of yore when hard hitting films also had good soothing soulful soundtracks!
The hummable songs are reminiscent of a film on the administration’s indifference and insensitivity that will make you think and bring tears to your eyes! The most eagerly awaited and anticipated reality film, 'Kya Yahi Sach Hai' based on the best-selling novel 'Carnage by Angels' written by IPS officer Y.P. Singh (while still in office but since then he has resigned) is ready for release and its music was launched by none other than India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Santosh Anand is the composer and lyricist for 'Ye Zindagi Hai' and a lot of credibility comes from Shreya Ghoshal crooning her way into your heart. The most popular song is Ye Zindagi Sagar Ka Nehta Sa Paani by Shreya Ghoshal. Philosophical in nature, this song strikes a chord immediately and has been wonderfully rendered by the inimitable numero uno vocalist of Bollywood. Though this philosophical song about life is routine and has a 'sugam sangeet' feel to it, Shreya has also sung Voh Sunhere Din, which takes you down the memory lane of the good old days. This one too is in the same mode as 'Ye Zindagi Hai' and almost comes across as an extension of what one heard at the beginning of the album. Composed by newcomer Nirmal Augustaya and written by Ibraheem Ashq, this one is actually the best of the enterprise that one has heard so far. The song has a late 80s/early 90s feel to it and one also ends up faintly remembering a well composed (but forgotten today) numbers of yesteryears. Interestingly, this is one of the first albums where singing sensations Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal have both sung Udake Mujhko Yeh Hawaien composed and written by Nirmal Augustaya.
Frankly, the song that catches your attention even before it is played is 'Tere Pass Hai Danda Toh Mere Pass Hai Bumm'. Of course the lyrics are pretty straight forward but then going by the times we are living in, this is a surefire attention grabber. Nevertheless, it is the overall product that does count eventually and 'Tere Pass Hai Danda Toh Mere Pass Hai Bumm' could appeal only at some interiors of the country. Composed by Rooshin Dalal and written by Naseem Ansari, this song sees the arrival of another singer - Neel Sarkar - who could well be coming behind the mike for many more such songs. Tere Paas Hai Danda Toh Mere Paas Hai Bumm by Neel Sarkar is a naughty song that will be popular with the masses.
Ishq Wale Chor Hain by Jaspreet Singh and Tochi Raina has a mass popular appeal. With lyrics like 'Koyal Gutar Go', this one takes a Western route which is heavy on arrangements and is basically a combined effort of singers Jaspreet Singh, Tochi Raina and Vishal Khurana. In fact, Vishal is also the lyricist here while co-composing the song with Rooshin Dalal Nitesh Raman and Shivani Nigam have sung a wonderful romantic duet Pyaar Hai Kitna Pyaara Hai. This is a patriotic song with drum beats as an add-on support, 'Pyara Hai Kitna Payara Hai' is a Nirmal Augustaya composition with Ibraheem Ashq as the lyricist.
Last to arrive is a four minute instrumental musical piece, 'The Retreat', which stirs your heart.
The film recounts an autobiographical account of how social activists like Anna Hazare and Medha Patkar amongst many others tried their best to stand with Y. P. Singh but the powerful and the wicked had their way and 2 years after writing the novel he had to leave the IPS.
'Kya Yahi Sach Hai' is a hard-hitting film arousing enormous emotions and reactions. Shot in authentic locales, this 2 hours 20 minutes long film narrates a first-hand account of the powerful stories, which run through the bureaucracy and the police administration. The thinly veiled account of corruption and callousness, which prevails in our system sends shudders down the spine of the viewers and makes them contemplate amidst surging emotions scintillating music.
It is a rarity that any Bollywood film gets international recognition. The film ‘Kya Yahi Sach Hai’ has bagged the California Film Award for excellence in film-making in the narrative film category.
Talking about the film, Y. P. Singh says, “It was the year 1990 when I had just joined as the police chief of Wardha District of Maharashtra and had my first brush with police corruption. As the years rolled by, I could see corruption in all its facets spread all over. Almost everyone got interested in paid postings which gave the officer full freedom to earn bribes from the innocent public, without any fear from seniors. It was in those moments of anguish that I decided to write this reality-based novel – ‘Carnage by Angels’. But by doing that I had invited my doom in the IPS. The powerful got after me the big way. But it was my resolve to see that the truth comes out wide and open before the people.”
Y. P. Singh adds, “‘Kya Yahi Sach Hai’ is a very high content reality film, which grips the viewer lapping up the film with bated breath. Even though the film is of 2 hours and 20 min yet, when the film gets over the people think that it has just started. IT IS PLAINLY THE POWER OF THE SCRIPT UNLEASHED. Since the script is highly original and is based primarily on the character artists, hence it was decided to take powerful actors rather than stars so as to maintain the integrity and enormous power of the script. Needless to add that time has come where, just like in Hollywood, we need to promote intellectualism of the country, rather than to degrade it with formula films and cheap comedies. With this film we intend to launch a mission – Protect the honest to remove corruption.”
Unlike other police films – ‘Kya Yahi Sach Hai’ is a non-action film driven by intense emotions. Raghu Kumar is a young trainee Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. During the course of his training, he is being taught cycle patrolling in the streets when the head constable giving training comes out with certain startling revelations. This head constable gives an honest confession about his largely corrupt activities in the detection branch of Kotwali Police Station and how one incident changed his life, and which made him give up corruption and take to honesty. Overwhelmed in emotions, this IPS officer and his wife resolve not to earn bribes in the police as that would be an unforgivable sin – A Carnage by Angels! But as this officer goes to the district police in Kolhapur and then to Mumbai police, he starts confronting the real picture. What he saw was a profound nexus of police, bureaucrats, power-brokers, and politicians – all hidden by the glittering curtain of "Rule of Law" and administrative sophistication. As this emotional story unfolds, what emerges in the film is a graphic narration of intrigue, deceit, sex, love and money in the world of glamour, police, bureaucracy, politicians, citizens, corporate bodes, powerbrokers, doctors and media.
About the Novel 'Carnage by Angels'
This novel was written by IPS officer Y.P. Singh when he was still serving in the police force and had emrged as a best-seller during its times. Some of the comments about the novel are given hereunder:
"The reading almost brought tears in the eyes of everyone present" - The Asian Age.
"This fictionalised account is a ready reckoner on corruption" - India Today.
"IPS officer's book set to raise hell" - Mid-day.
"Gunning it with the pen ....." - The Statesman.
"Carnage by Angels - on sleaze, sex, and corruption in the Police ... won the praise of former top cops ..." The Telegraph.
"The widespread rot ... has been vividly exposed by serving IPS officer Y.P. Singh in his ... novel Carnage y Angels" - Time of India,.
"Topical. A through expose ... " - Julio Ribeiro.
“An honest IPS officer’s life story tailor-made for Bollywood.” Khaleej Times.
“The protagonist in Carnage by Angels, young IPS officer Raghu Kumar, takes on the vicious world of political manipulations, postings, transfers, sex, deceit, money, powerbrokers and underworld.” The Indian Express.
“Avenging Angels.” Outlook.
“A novel …delves deep into the deceit and deception by cops, who are expected to be upright and transparent in their functioning.” Sahara Time.
“Politicians pull strings, corruption police and civil servants surrender meekly and criminals have a field day.” South China Morning Post.
For a first time director, this would happen. It's not that he has not consulted professionals before making this film. But, how many would have helped him to the fullest? There is severe charges of illegal money / corruption in film industry also. So telling thruth on any platform (be it cinema) hardly get cooperation. However, considering the technicality part, the director should have only be aasociated with the scripting part and, handed over the directorial baton anybody who is competent.
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