First Published On- https://myunwantedreviews.wordpress.com/2017/09/09/one-heart- connects-many-hearts/
There's a saying in AR Rahman fan circle- "ARR understands what his fans want from him and he tries to deliver as much as he can and in the process he raises the bar even higher than before." And that is exactly what happens here with One Heart, India's first-of-its-kind concert film.
It's not a film, not even a documentary; it is 90 minutes of the pure musical extravaganza. Not only for Rahman fans but for every music lover. Because it's not just about the man but about his music, his journey and the great team he has, which contributes a significant part to his success. The film revolves around ARR's 2015 intimate concert tour in fourteen American cities and through that explores a little part of his personality, his relationship with his fellow artists, his thoughts about music and his fame.
For someone who has literally lived Rahman for all these years and grew up listening to his music, the film is a walk down the lane of nostalgia. When you listen to Dil se re or the humming of Chinna Chinna Asai; with which he entered our world, you can feel the music running through your veins. Beautiful voices and a powerful band performing probably the best versions of classic Rahman melodies is nothing less than magic. For full length of this film, one can tap his/her feet and bang his/her head like a maniac. Probably it happens automatically. It almost re-creates that concert-like feel. It's kind of the film you can enjoy with your eyes closed for the entire duration, but make sure you do not because it has a lot to watch as well. The movie is beautifully shot and edited, especially the opening scene. Apart from that some personal moments of ARR's life are also there in the film, which put a smile on your face.
The best part of the film is it manages to showcase the talent and hard work of the complete band and not just one person. Jonita, Haricharan, Ranjit Barot, Mohini Day, Shiraz Uppal, Jeba, Ann Marie to name a few. ARR himself makes sure that every member gets the credit they very well deserve. But at the end of the day, it's the music which is the hero of the film. It works really well and lives up to every expectation. A beautifully crafted playlist is what all needed for this film and it is there, which again proved the versatility of Rahman and his band. From classics to modern day music, from Jazz to Rock and from Heaven to Earth, everything is there. It sometimes gives a feel of a documentary but at the same time keeps the talking to minimal and lets the music do all the talking. The focus hardly moves from the stage and that is what you expect from a concert film.
For me personally, One Heart proves out to be an emotional experience. It again proves that anything related to Rahman in any form can make me shed tears of joy. It just happens. A feeling that I can never explain in words. Because there is something special about his music which I never experience in any other composer's work, even if I try. It's life changing and emotionally satisfying. Like specially written for you.
The film ends at a time where it should not. Actually, it should never have ended. It's like sitting on the stage and experiencing the concert with the maestro himself; up close and personal. It's magic. Not just for your eyes, but for your ears, and for your soul. Everything is about music, everything is about Rahman. I can watch this movie, I can experience this magic infinite numbers of times.
So if you've attended an ARR concert, cool, watch the film. If not, go and experience it now. It's a treat not just for the fans but for every music lover.
