For a film based in the Emergency period, you really wouldn’t expect Indu Sarkar to have songs. However, director Madhur Bhandarkar has used the classic qawwali 'Chadhta Sooraj' to perfectly describe his antagonist.
Bhandarkar has so far rubbished claims that his antagonist, played by Neil Nitin Mukesh, is essaying the role of the late Sanjay Gandhi, son of former Prime Minsiter Indira Gandhi.
Speaking about the song, the good news is that music composer Anu Malik and Bhandarkar haven’t tinkered with the original lyrics, thereby maintaining the sanctity of the original.
The song basically reminds the arrogant that just like the sun rises, it has to set too. This seems like an apt track to describe Bhandarkar’s villain.
As seen in the trailer and song, Neil's character is a powerful and merciless politician who takes harsh and controversial decisions during the Emergency period. The arrogance and haughty attitude is reflected in this song, too. The man is so powerful or feared that he has people to help him with his footwear.
Neil's character is well defined, but one is left intrigued by the presence of another man, who bears a striking resemblance to a young Jagdish Tytler. The controversial Congress leader was accused of inciting violence during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Is this just another coincidence that another character from Indu Sarkar bears resemblance to a Congress leader?
Coming back to the song, Malik has retained the core music and has merely added some richer tunes. The original song was crooned and composed by Aziz Nazan. His son Mujtaba now steps into his father’s shoes crooning for Indu Sarkar.
It would be unfair to compare the father and son, for the two have different styles and have operated in different eras.
Qawwalis are far and few in Hindi cinema. Qawwali singers thrive on their imperfections, on their ability to enthral their audiences. Mujtaba Aziz Nazan has done an amiable job in this regard.
The song is unlikely to feature among the chartbusters, but this classic qawwali fits perfectly into the situation and the theme of Bhandarkar’s Indu Sarkar.
Watch the 'Chadhta' Sooraj track below. Indu Sarkar is set to be released on 28 July.