Señorita (Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara song) explained

Señorita
Border:yes
Artist:Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (composer)
Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, María del Mar Fernández (singers)
Album:Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Released:17 June 2011
Recorded:2010
Genre:Flamenco
Length:3:51
Label:T-Series
Producer:Farhan Akhtar
Ritesh Sidhwani

"Señorita" is a song from the 2011 Indian film Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. It was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and performed by Farhan Akhtar, Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol and Spanish singer María del Mar Fernández. The lyrics were penned by Javed Akhtar.[1] The Latino-flavoured Spanish flamenco song[2] is about being yourself and having fun.

Development

Director Zoya Akhtar insisted on Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol singing, as it was the only lip-sync song in the film. The actors agreed to it.[3] The trio sing with traditional Spanish flamenco artist María del Mar Fernández, who made her debut with the song. She was auditioned by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy to croon the Spanish portions.[4]

This is the first time Abhay Deol has sung for a film, though both Farhan Akhtar and Hrithik Roshan made their singing debuts for Rock On!! and Kites respectively. They recorded a good part of the song by tricking the actors into believing that it is a rehearsal and used it since it sounded good.[5]

Music video

The video, choreographed by the duo of Bosco-Caesar, and shot in front of 'Bar El Parque' in Alájar, features Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol, the three leads with mayor Carmen Osorno and Concha Montero ‘La Taranta'. The mayor and the locals, who had no idea about Bollywood movies and their nature, came all dressed in the third day of the shooting and joined in with the crew.[6] Zoya refused to use extras in the video and got some locals to dance with her lead actors.[7] The song is picturised while on a road trip — the leads have a fun evening, break into a song, tap dance.[8]

Reception

Rediff in its music review, stated, "Señorita treads on cultural stereotypes with its flamenco-inspired beats, ethnic elements and lyricism represented by María Del Mar Fernández yet keeps it interesting by adding its own twist to the take."[9] Meanwhile, Bollywood Hungama described the track as "A fun number with some impressive singing with Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay".[10] Bollyspice reviewer Vanessa Barnes, who loved the song, said, "This is a thoroughly Spanish track, from the guitars, the handclapping, the exuberance and the passion. It made me long to go back to Barcelona, because I can TASTE it."[11]

A report, which was later published on Glamsham, remarked "Señorita has set the heart of nation to dance to the care free tunes of Salsa on which the music of the film is based."[12]

Choreographer duo Bosco-Caesar won the 2011 National Film Award for Best Choreography for the song,[13] as well as the Filmfare Award for Best Choreography.

Charts

The song made its debut at #40 in BBC Asian Charts[14] and steadily climbed to #34 by four weeks.[15] Post film release, the song leapt its way to the #3 position.[16]

The song topped the Radio Mirchi Top 10 chart replacing "Ik Junoon (Paint It Red)" of the same album, from the eighth week of its release.[17]

The song made it to the 'Top 10 Hindi Songs of the year 2011' list by Indiatimes.[18]

Accolades

YearAward CeremonyCategoryRecipientResultReference(s)
2011Mirchi Music AwardsSong of the Year-[19] [20]
Music Composer of the YearShankar–Ehsaan–Loyrowspan=3
Lyricist of The YearJaved Akhtar
Upcoming Male Vocalist of The YearHrithik Roshan & Abhay Deol

Notes and References

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20091207024553/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/cast/14207/index.html Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara : Complete Cast and Crew details
  2. Web site: "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is one of my favorite albums" – Ehsaan » Bollywood Spice | Bollywood News. https://web.archive.org/web/20110607035852/http://bollyspice.com/view.php/7213-zindagi-na-milegi-dobara-is-one-of-my-favorite-albums-ehsaan.html. dead. 7 June 2011.
  3. Web site: Hindustan Times - Archive News. https://web.archive.org/web/20110621050233/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Abhay-sings-along-with-co-stars-Hrithik-Farhan/Article1-697797.aspx. dead. 21 June 2011. Hindustan Times.
  4. Web site: MUNÁRRIZ. ÁNGEL. Bollywood se menea en masa con flamenquito . Público (Spain). 9 August 2011.
  5. Web site: Shetty. Shuhaa. Hrithik Roshan: I am too emotional. Mid Day. 5 July 2011.
  6. Web site: Spain was gorgeous with lots of naked people . Rediff.com . 9 July 2011.
  7. Web site: Hindustan Times - Archive News. https://web.archive.org/web/20110702093757/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Spanish-mayor-locals-in-Bollywood-song/Article1-706332.aspx. dead. 2 July 2011. Hindustan Times.
  8. Web site: 'Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara' - a pack full of surprises!. 15 May 2011. dailybhaskar.
  9. Web site: 24 June 2011. Review: Zindagi Na Milegi... music is delightful – Rediff.com Movies. 9 July 2011. Rediff.com.
  10. Web site: 20 June 2011. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara : Music Review by Joginder Tuteja. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20091208044608/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/musicreview/14207/index.html. 8 December 2009. 9 July 2011. Bollywood Hungama.
  11. Web site: 20 June 2011. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. 9 July 2011. BollySpice.
  12. Web site: Glamsham : Bollywood | Hollywood | OTT | TV | News | Reviews | Lyrics | Dialogues | Pictures | Interviews. 7 August 2021.
  13. Web site: 59th National Film Awards for the Year 2011 Announced. Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.
  14. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/asian-download-chart/20110619/asian/ Official Charts
  15. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/asian-download-chart/20110710/asian/ Official Charts
  16. Web site: Asian Network – The Official Asian Download Chart – The Official Asian Download Chart . BBC . 29 June 2011 . 12 July 2011.
  17. News: Music Chart – The Times of India. Radio Mirchi. 24 July 2011.
  18. News: Top 10 Hindi Songs of the year 2011 . TNN. 14 December 2011. 14 December 2011.
  19. Web site: Nominations – Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20130130161203/http://www.radiomirchi.com:80/mma2011/hindi/nominees.php. dead. 30 January 2013. 30 January 2013. 24 May 2018.
  20. Web site: Winners – Mirchi Music Awards 2011.