From word go, Aagadu is all about the 'Feel of Thaman'. He begins the very first song on a high note by dishing out a pulsating number, chipping in the services of none other than Shankar Mahadevan. The album has a song written by Sri Mani and the others by the redoubtable Bhaskarabhatla. The latter wears a creative cap that turns out many lyrical vulgarisms.
The list of singers ranges from Mahadevan to Rahul Nambiar to Sooraj Santosh, MM Manasi, Simha and Thaman himself. Shruti Haasan croons a song and it’s a treat to the front benchers for sure.
Aagadu
Artist: Shankar Mahadevan
Lyricist: Sri Mani
This title track is a happy addition to the list of introduction songs rendered by Shankar Mahadevan. Thaman does a ‘dookudu’ job through his instrumentation that has snatches of that debut number from his first film with Mahesh Babu. The album begins with a start that is bang on. Sri Mani’s lyrics glorify the hero’s terror for the sake of, you guessed it right, peace. If it is the hero who is violent, then he is an apostle of peace who is living up to the ideal of the color white for sure. With Shankar Mahadevan’s captivating vocals, this song opens the album with a boisterous bang.
Aaja Saroja
Artist: Rahul Nambiar
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla
Thaman effectively coalesces several influences for this romantic ditty. For a star of Mahesh’s stature, this one is almost experimental because the music is quite melodious with no frills. The melody grows on your ears. Bhaskarabhatla’s lyrics are peppered with poetical as well as colloquial feel. Rahul Nambiar sings like he is Mahesh’s doppel ganger and lends the song a distinct touch.
Bhel Puri
Artists: Sooraj Santosh, MM Manasi
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla
Bhaskarabhatla takes his lyrical imagination into a creative zone by borrowing the culinary flavours to dish out a range of metaphorical and analogous descriptions. The lyrics are entertaining and Thaman’s music ensures that the song sounds like a A-grade superstar song. Sooraj Santosh and MM Manasi render it in their own style. All in all, although nothing innovative music-wise, it passes muster because of the raunchy appeal.
Junction Lo
Artists: Shruti Haasan, Simha
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla
Shruthi Haasan’s much-publicized item song lives up to the expectations. Bhaskarabhatla lyrics rhyme here and there, but what is most appealing about his lyrics are the double entendre that depend on vulgar symbolism. The song is rendered by Shruti herself and she doesn’t disappoint. Only that she doesn’t give it any distinct edge. Simha is a good singer whose voice suits Mahesh. Thaman’s music passes muster.
Nari Nari
Artists: Thaman, Divya
Lyricist: Bhaskarabhatla
Yet another song that borders on the item song feel. Written again by Bhaskarabhatla, the number bottles up in it high-grade low-brow lyrics that are given a midas touch by Thaman’s nasal twang. Divya turns out to be a voice with a difference. Thaman’s music is enjoyable in so far as the instrumentation is concerned.
Feel of Agadu
Artists: Mahesh Babu, Srinu Vaitla, Thaman
The 'Feel of Aagadu' comes with a small package of a few punchlines from the film. However, although quite unique when looked at in isolation, the addition is not a surprise package as the trailer has got most of the lines already. Nevertheless, Mahesh’s electrifying patois makes this one of the most memorable features of the album.
An album that is customized to reach out to the vast fan base of Mahesh Babu, a complaint one can have about the songs is that most of them sound like item songs religiously sung by item girls and boys.