The Hans India (March 31, 2016)

Bollywood events, from trailer launch to music launch, have always been a lavish & luxurious affair! But upcoming jungle adventure film SHORTCUT SAFAARI chose the unconventional route. Breaking the stereotype, SHORTCUT SAFAARI music was unveiled at Smile Foundation NGO along with the kids. The popular singers of Bollywood Shaan and Sadhana Sargam with SHORTCUT SAFAARI team including director Amitabha Singh launched the music, showcased one of the songs from the film, ‘Piggy Bank’ and made it a memorable eve. Later, Shaan and director Amitabha Singh were seen having a gala time playing with the kids. The music album of SHORTCUT SAFAARI has five different kinds of tracks and offers variety for everyone. Shaan has sung ‘Piggy Bank’, a peppy number that has been picturised on the kids, composed by Samir-Mana.

While Sadhana Sargam and Atreyi Bhattacharya have lent their voices to ‘Ek Dhara Ke Jan Gan’ which has been composed Rohit Sharma. ‘Bako Sufu’, ‘Zor Lagaa De’, ‘Dip Dip Dara’ are some of the other tracks which provide spunk to the album.

SHORTCUT SAFAARI marks Amitabha Singh’s directorial debut. Amitabha has been a leading Director of Photography (DoP) with titles like CHILLAR PARTY, KHOSLA KA GHOSLA and India’s Oscar entrant in 2014, THE GOOD ROAD to his credit.

>Amitabha Singh says, “Shaan’s song ‘Piggy Bank’ has to do with innocence and exploration. It is for the first time these innocent kids find a connect with elements of nature; they are trying to explore in the film. They are jumping and falling on a bed of grass which they may have never seen in their life and they let loose themselves in the unchained environment. We call it as a bank of nature. It’s the nature which has opened up bank for them to come and see the wealth.”

He adds, “All the songs in SHORTCUT SAFAARI are very decisively and consciously positioned. And more than anything else they are doing service to the narrative, to the overall film experience. The songs here are playing their dedicated role in its experience than being singular entities. It’s part of the experience.”

Though Gujarat-based music duo Samir-Mana, who composed the ‘Piggi Bank’ song, couldn’t make for the event, they too added, “We specially composed ‘Piggi Bank’ song for kids. The interesting part about this song is that we have used totally raw instruments to make some unusual sounds. Like using plastic toys, bucket filled with water to create school bell sound, etc…Shaan has sung it well. Amitabha ji’s direction is really nice. SHORTCUT SAFAARI will be a good motivating film for children.”

While Shaan said, “It’s been a while since children’s adventure film has been showcased on the big screen. So it’s a glad moment that the film is releasing where some parts of the songs are sung by these children only.”

Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder & Executive Trustee Smile Foundation, said, “Films play a very important role towards sensitization and Smile Foundation has been making and associating with films which are creative, innovative with a balance of the right content and the right quality. We are glad to be a part of SHORTCUT SAFAARI and confident that the movie will create a lasting impact in the minds of the audience while conveying the underline message.”

Shikha Singhi, Head Films Junglee Music (a division of Times Music) quoted, “It is proud to be distributing the music of SHORTCUT SAFAARI. The film has some immensely talented people behind it, and it surely has its heart in the right place. We are certain that the kids will like the music and the film.”

Jimmy Sheirgill starrer SHORTCUT SAFAARI is all set to release on 29th April by Rich Junior Entertainment. This adventure film traces the lives of a few school going kids who get lost in a dense forest during their outing. Directed by Amitabha Singh, SHORTCUT SAFAARI has been screened at various film festivals and applauded a lot for the children’s performances SHORTCUT SAFAARI features Aashi Rawal, Sharvil Patel, Mann Patel, Ugam Khetani, Stuti Dwivedi, Deah Tandon and Hardil Kanabar. Jointly produced by Xebec Films Pvt. Ltd, Kashyap A Shah & Amigos Fin-o-tainment, SHORTCUT SAFAARI, aims to deliver a very effective message to conserve Mother Nature.