Chaar Kadam

"Chaar Kadam"

Cover of the song, featuring actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Anushka Sharma
Song by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal from the album PK
Released 17 November 2014 (Full Song)
21 November 2014 (Music Video)
Format CD single, Legal digital download
Genre Filmi, Classic Pop[1]
Length 4:20
Label T-Series
Writer Swanand Kirkire
Producer Rajkumar Hirani
PK track listing
  1. "Tharki Chokro"
  2. "Nanga Punga Dost"
  3. "Chaar Kadam"
  4. "Love is Waste of Time"
  5. "Bhagwan Hai Kahan Re Tu"
  6. "PK Dance Theme"
  7. "Dil Darbadar"

Music video
"Chaar Kadam" on YouTube

"Chaar Kadam" (English: Four Steps) is a romantic Hindi song from the 2014 Bollywood film, PK. Composed by Shantanu Moitra, the song is sung by Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal, with lyrics penned by Swanand Kirkire.[2][3] The music video of the track features actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Anushka Sharma.[4][5]

Background

On 23 May 2013, Shaan confirmed through Twitter that he recorded the song for the film PK along with Shreya Ghoshal.[6] The song was composed by Shantanu Moitra, while the lyrics was penned by Swanand Kirkire.[7] The song is based on one of Kirkire's poems.[8] In an interview, Moitra stated: "It is actually the love song from the album and it is shot exactly the way romantic numbers were shot once upon a time in Bollywood. The visuals will remind you of Silsila, that iconic moment where the camera gently captures the love brewing between Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha. There were no fast camera movement or loud shots. This is one of my favorite tracks from the album".[9]

Rajkumar Hirani wanted to shoot this track in a new and unique place.[10] He basically looked for three locations, canal, town hall and cobbled streets of Europe.[8] Hence, the crew travelled 3,500 kilometres to search for it before finalising Bruges in Belgium.[10] Prior to that, the crew looked for other major European cities like Paris, Venice and Prague.[11] Shooting of the song was completed within two to three days.[12]

The whole song was shot in the Belgian city of Bruges. It was the first Hindi song to be shot in this city.[11] Talking about the location of the song, Hirani stated, "I was spellbound by the picturesque architecture, landscapes, the strong historical background and clean refreshing environs. I decided that this is just the right place to shoot a part of the movie as it fitted in beautifully with the storyline".[13] The song captures some of the landmark places like the Market Square, Howest Campus, Sint-Jorisstraat, the Beguinage and several streets and canals.[14] The song is choreographed by Stanley D'Costa.[15]

Release and success

The audio of the song was officially released on 17 November 2014, through the YouTube channel of T-Series.[16] It was available on music-streaming platforms and for digital download on the same day along with the other tracks from the album.[17] The music video of the song was released on 21 November 2014.[18] The video of the music is the third song released from the film, after "Tharki Chokro" and "Love is Waste of Time".[19]

The song received praise and positive feedback on the pairing of the two actors, Sushant Singh Rajput and Anushka Sharma.[20] In an interview, Sharma picked the song as her favourite track from the album.[21]

Chart performance

The song debuted at position 32 in iTunes India Chart Top 100,[22] jumped to position 15 in its second week of release,[23] and further moved to position 12 in the third week.[24] The song entered 91.9 Friends FM Bollywood Top 20 at position 17,[25] jumped to position 10, the following week.[26] On 3 January 2014, the song reached its peak position, 3 in the chart.[27] On 19 December 2014, the song had a direct entry at position 11 in The Times of India Mirchi Top 20 Chart,[28] jumped to position 9 on 26 December 2014.[29] The song also made its debut at No. 12 position in the Top 40 Asian Download Charts on 3 January 2015.[30]

Year Chart Peak
position		 Ref.
2014 iTunes Indian Charts 2 [31]
iTunes Omani Charts 2 [32]
91.9 Friends FM Bollywood Top 20 3 [27]
The Times of India Mirchi Top 20 Chart 9 [29]
2015 Top Asian Download Charts 12 [30]

Critical reception

The song received mixed response from critics. Though reviewers praised the singing of Shaan and Shreya Ghoshal, many of them criticised the composition for having a heard-before feel to it.[33][34] The song seems to draw inspiration from the romantic song "Waltz for a night" by Julie Delpy from the movie Before Sunset.[35]

Surabhi Redkar from Koimoi felt the song "has its own charm and is expected to become popular and high on likeability quotient" and he stated it "is quite sweet to the ears, though there is a clichéd and repetitive tune to it".[36] Devesh Sharma reviewing from Filmfare stated "Shaan brings all the romance in his voice to belt out a breezy love duet in the able company of Shreya".[37] Rafat from Glamsham.com praised the song with its chorus and stated "It's a Shaan show all the way and he excels. Shreya comes in briefly but leaves an impression".[38] Stacey Yount reviewing from Bolly Spice, praised the vocals of the song and commented "Shantanu Moitra brings in a new sound with elements and a nod to old classic soul and he mixes it to make you want to hear more".[39]

Reviewers from Bollymeaning.com felt the song is simple and nice but criticised as the song resembles, Moitra's "Zara Gungunalein Chalo" from Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007) in a few parts.[40] Namrata Thakker reviewing for Bollywoodlife.com felt the song is different from the usual romantic numbers and after hearing the song few times it "will slowly grow on you".[41] Joginder Tuteja from Rediff.com found the song boring and commented "The start sounds dated. It also has a nursery rhyme feel to it, but it's not memorable even after listening to it several times".[42]

Accolades

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref
2015 Star Guild Awards Best Female Playback Singer Shreya Ghoshal Nominated [43]
Best Male Playback Singer Shaan
Global Indian Music Academy Awards Best Lyricist Swanand Kirkire Pending [44]

References

  1. ↑ "Chaar Kadam song credits". MySwar. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  2. ↑ "Chaar Kadam: Sushant Singh Rajput romances Anushka Sharma". The Times of India. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Chaar Kadam song details". iTunes. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  4. ↑ "Chaar Kadam Song PK Feat. Sushant Singh Rajput, Anushka Sharma". Koimoi. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Watch: Anushka Sharma walks the 'Chaar Kadam' with Sushant Singh Rajput". The Indian Express. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  6. ↑ "Shaan 23 May 2013 Twitter status update". Twitter. 23 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  7. ↑ "PK song Chaar Kadam: Aamir Khan out; Sushant Singh Rajput in as Anushka Sharma's romantic partner". Akshata Shetty. Zee News. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "PK Chaar Kadam making video: Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput and Raju Hirani have a blast shooting in Bruges!". Subramanian Harikumar. Bollywood Life. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Aamir Khan's 'PK' will have five songs". Nayandeep Rakshit. DNA India. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Watch: the making of Anushka and Sushant's romantic track "Chaar kadam"". Aditi Chandra. Pinkvilla. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Shoot in Bruges for 'PK': Watch Behind The Scenes". India-West. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  12. ↑ "Watch: Rajkumar Hirani act in 'Chaar Kadam' from 'pk'". Deccan Chronicle. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "'Peekay (PK)', the first Hindi film to be shot in Bruges, Belgium". Indian Television. 27 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  14. ↑ "Virgin locales". The Indian Express. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  15. ↑ "Making of 'Chaar Kadam' Video Song". YouTube. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  16. ↑ "'Chaar Kadam' Full Audio Song". YouTube. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  17. ↑ "PK (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)". iTunes. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  18. ↑ "Sushant and Anushka's romance in 'Char Kadam' song shot beautifully in Belgium". Deccan Chronicle. 21 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  19. ↑ "Watch Video: PK Third Song 'Chaar Kadam' Out". Filmi Beat. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  20. ↑ "Sushant Singh Rajput already receiving praise for his appearance in PK". Bodrul Chaudhury. Bolly Spice. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  21. ↑ "PK: Anushka Sharma agrees that Love Is A Waste Of Time". Akshata Shetty. India.com. 10 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  22. ↑ "India iTunes Top 100 Songs". iTunes. 21 November 2014. Archived from the original on 21 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  23. ↑ "India iTunes Top 100 Songs". iTunes. 30 November 2014. Archived from the original on 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  24. ↑ "India iTunes Top 100 Songs". iTunes. 1 December 2014. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  25. ↑ "91.9 Friends FM 30 November 2014 Twitter status update". Twitter. 30 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  26. ↑ "91.9 Friends FM 13 December 2014 Twitter status update". Twitter. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "91.9 Friends FM 3 January 2014 Twitter status update". Twitter. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  28. ↑ "Music Chart – The Times of India – Mirchi Top 20 Week Ending 19 December 2014". The Times of India. 19 December 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 "Music Chart – The Times of India – Mirchi Top 20 Week Ending 26 December 2014". The Times of India. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Asian Download Top 40 – 3rd January 2015". Official Charts Company. 3 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  31. ↑ "Indian iTunes top 20 list of 21 December 2014". iTunes Archive. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  32. ↑ "Omani iTunes top 100 list of 7 December 2014". iTunes Archive. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "PK Music Review". Nishevitha Vijayanand. Movie Talkies. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  34. ↑ "PK 'Chaar Kadam' song review: Anushka-Sushant heats up romance in Shaan-Shreya's sweet voice (watch video)". Vineeta Kumar. India TV News. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  35. ↑ "PK's 'Chaar Kadam' inspired by Ethan Hawke-starrer 'Before Sunset'?". Deccan Chronicle. 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "PK Music Review". Surabhi Redkar. Koimoi. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  37. ↑ "Music Review: PK". Devesh Sharma. Filmfare. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Music Review : PK". Rafat. Glamsham.com. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  39. ↑ "PK Music Review". Stacey Yount. Bolly Spice. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  40. ↑ "PK – Music Review". Bollymeaning.com. 23 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  41. ↑ "PK music review: Swaroop Khan's Tharki Chokro is the highlight of Aamir Khan-Anushka starrer!". Namrata Thakker. Bollywoodlife.com. 22 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  42. ↑ "Review: PK's music is passable". Joginder Tuteja. Rediff.com. 29 November 2014. Retrieved 30 November 2014.
  43. ↑ That Girl Daily (7 January 2015). "Star Guild Awards 2015 nominations". PinkVilla. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  44. ↑ "Film Music Nominees: GiMA 2015". GiMA. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.

External links