Mukkala Mukkabala from Kadhalan - Unknown trivias and song reviews by Rithika Prabakar | AR Rahman

Kadhalan - Released in 1994, originally a tamil film directed by Shankar. It was a major success. The film won many recognitions and honors, including two South Filmfare Awards, and four National Film Awards. After the success of Gentleman (1993), producer K. T. Kunjumon of A. R. S. Film International decided to collaborate with director S. Shankar for the second time. Shankar narrated the plot of "a young dancer from a normal middle-class household falling in love with a girl from a very influential household". Kunjumon liked the plot and, "to turn this into as grand a film as was possible", he decided to incorporate the cold-war between the then Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa and the then governor Marri Chenna Reddy into the screenplay.Shankar wanted Prashanth to be the lead actor, but due to other commitments he could not act in the film. Prabhu Deva, who worked as a dancer for Kunjumon's previous ventures, was later finalized by Kunjumon. Shankar was initially reluctant to have him as the lead actor as distributors felt audiences would not accept him in that role because of his "lean physique" and "bearded look". However Kunjumon was firm with his choice and wanted to prove distributors wrong. Madhuri Dixit was originally considered as the lead actress. Busy schedules meant that Nagma was instead chosen.

Mukkala Mukkabla : TRIVIA

Mano sang Mukkala Mukkabla song in tamil and also for its telugu and hindi versions along with singer swarnalatha. Shankar came to Vaali for one song, as there was a sentiment established that the movie will become hit if Vaali penned just one song for that movie (for e.g., Chikku bukku Rayilu for Shankar's previous directorial venture, Gentleman). Vaali generously accepted Shankar's request and penned Muqabla and Urvashi song which both became chartbusters. During the recording of the song "Mukkabla", Rahman wanted Mano's voice to sound like R. D. Burman's as a means to distance him from S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, to whom he was frequently compared. The song "Muqabla" was shot at Rajahmundry. Kasi, who designed costumes for the song, had to design around 400 costumes within a short time as the dancers had only one day's call sheet. The song "Mukkabla" became popular and was plagiarized freely by tunesmiths. Nearly a dozen versions of the song were churned out, a feat that earned "Mukkabla" and Rahman a place in the Limca Book of Records.The dubbed Hindi version of the soundtrack, Humse Hai Muqabala, sold 2.5 million units in India. The film won Best Audiography for AS Laxmi Narayanan and VS Murthy on 42nd National film awards and AR Rahman won the best music director on 42nd filmfare awards south. Owing to the success and immense national popularity of the song "Mukkabla", the soundtrack was subsequently dubbed in Hindi as Humse Hai Muqabala and in Telugu as Premikudu. “Mukkabla” was remade as "Muqabla" in Hindi for the 2020 film Street Dancer 3D, in which Prabhu Deva stars as one of the leads, and an accompanying video song was released in late 2019 as promotion for the film and unoffical version of Mukkabla is featured on 1995 Pakistani film Love 95 (1996)

Breaking down Music :

Mukkala Mukkabala is an iconic dance number from Kadhalan, Composed by a young A.R. Rahman, the song broke new ground in Indian film music with its bold, fresh sound. Blending Western pop and techno elements with Indian musical touches, Mukkala Mukkabala quickly became a cultural phenomenon in the 90s Tamil music scene. The song’s upbeat tempo, infectious rhythm, and experimental sound made it an instant hit. It is an audacious mix of electronic beats, and catchy synth lines that were unlike anything in Tamil cinema at the time. 

One of Rahman’s greatest achievements in this track is his inventive layering of sounds, creating a rich, dynamic soundscape that makes you want to get up and dance. His inventive layering of sounds created a rich, dynamic track that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. Rahman’s heavy use of synthesizers and digital effects, coupled with a catchy bassline, created a playful, futuristic vibe that was revolutionary for Indian cinema at the time. This fusion, layered with energetic electronic beats, set a high-energy pace that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish, leaving no slowdowns and amplifying its lively, danceable feel. The melody itself is packed with playful hooks, while the rhythmic blend of synthesizers, drum machines, and other percussion creates an irresistible groove.The bassline keeps the energy high and complements the dance rhythm perfectly.

One of the song’s strengths lies in its rhythm and pacing. Rahman’s composition makes you want to get up and dance, and the repetitive but catchy hook ensures that it stays in your head long after it ends, it enhances its appeal. Mukkala Mukkabala showcases Rahman’s early genius in composition and production, bringing a Western techno-pop sound to mainstream Indian music. Even today, the song’s infectious enthusiasm and pioneering sound stand as a testament to Rahman’s talent, making it a timeless classic in Indian cinema.

The arrangement and the vocal performance from Mano and Swarnalatha bring out the energy of the song. Mano and Swarnalatha’s energetic vocals infuse the song with a sense of fun and liveliness. Their enthusiastic delivery and expressive singing add to the playful debate style of the lyrics, both of whom bring the lyrics to life with their unique vocal textures. Mano’s lively singing style and Swarnalatha’s bold, resonant voice create a dynamic contrast that enhances the song’s playful, competitive theme. Their chemistry adds a lot to the fun, back-and-forth feel of the song, keeping listeners entertained. the song’s youthful, celebratory spirit. Prabhu Deva's deadly dance moves and A. R. Rahman, Mano, Swarnalatha's energetic voice turned the song into a rage.

Penned by Vaali, the lyrics in Mukkala Mukkabala are playful, filled with nonsensical yet catchy phrases that add to the song’s appeal. Phrases like Mukkala Mukkabala and Laila Oh Laila are fun and memorable, making the song instantly recognizable. The lyrics have a lighthearted, flirtatious nature that aligns with the playful energy of the music, creating a perfect match between words and sound. The lyricist Vaali introduced nonsensical yet catchy phrases in the song, making it easier for audiences to remember and sing along and this became a signature style in Rahman’s upbeat dance tracks. The lyrics are playful and flirtatious, reflecting a light-hearted banter between the male and female singers. The song revolves around themes of romance and attraction, with a focus on playful teasing. The interplay between Mano's lively vocals and Swarnalatha's sweet tones adds to the song's charm, creating an engaging dialogue that resonates with listeners.

Mukkala Mukkabala was a cross-cultural success. Its catchy beats and dance-friendly rhythm were well received not only in India but also in international markets, especially in Southeast Asia.

Mukkala Mukkabala is a standout track, not just for its time but also in Rahman’s overall body of work. The song’s distinct fusion of Western and Indian elements set a new standard for Indian dance numbers, blending Tamil folk sensibilities with techno-pop sounds in a way that felt fresh and modern. The song’s vibrant choreography, featuring Prabhu Deva’s signature moves, elevated it to new heights, making it an iconic dance track that remains a favorite.This song became a staple in 90s Indian pop culture and remains popular even decades later, often played at festivals, weddings, and parties due to its catchy, high-energy vibe. It’s a song that continues to be loved by fans, as it encapsulates a moment of innovation in Tamil cinema music and remains a powerful example of A.R. Rahman’s early genius.

The song’s lively choreography, performed by Prabhu Deva, turned it into a massive hit and made it instantly recognizable. His dance moves, matched with Rahman’s playful, energetic composition, set a new benchmark for dance sequences in Indian cinema and have continued to influence the genre.The song’s choreography by Prabhu Deva became iconic. His innovative, fluid dance moves inspired a generation of dancers in Indian cinema and made the song famous across India. Even now, the song drives masses crazy. Prabhu Deva's dance moves left everyone stunned. 

Prabhudeva about mukkala: He said "“Before Muqabla, we had a fight sequence in the film Kadhalan and while shooting it, my ligament got torn. I didn’t understand, I didn’t know what is ligament. But I couldn’t walk either. In the “Ennavale” song, I never walked. I walked only for a short sequence.” After “Ennavale”, I had to shoot for “Muqabla”. He continued “I couldn’t move my left leg, it was so painful. Everyone knows ligament tear is… mind was there only. So, I danced the full Muqabla song on my right leg only. The full weight I used to put on the right leg. I tied a crepe bandage on the left leg. I wore different shoe sizes, on one leg, I wore a 9 size and for another, I wore a 10 size. So, full song, I danced only like that.” He added that he was young and so he continued dancing. He shared "I felt the pain only after I came home. While dancing, nothing mattered. I tied the bandage so tight, the shoe was very tight. More than the pain, the crepe bandage was tough for me.”

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