Mumbai song fits film’s mood

MANILA, Philippines - On top of showcasing Eastern culture-defining visuals, the romantic comedy Mumbai Love boasts of a theme song that keeps ringing in the ears long after the final credits are shown. The track titled Until The Sunrise strongly captures the mood of the plot, with its feel of the modern Western sound serving as pretty counterpoint to the film’s display of traditional Indian and Filipino lifestyles.

Music critics and general listeners have found the theme structurally strong, earning for its co-singer-songwriter Miguel Escueta left and right praises during the film’s recent special screening at the SM Megamall Cinema 9, where the whole cast members donned Indian-influenced outfits.   

The song is a duet piece involving Miguel and lead actress Solenn Heussaff who were co-hosts in the now-defunct GMA 7 Sunday show Party Pilipinas. The latter co-penned the piece two years ago, without a hint that it would end up as theme song to a big-screen project starring his popular It girl friend.

“For some reason, the lyrics fitted the movie and by the time I was asked to join in to appear in a music video to be shot during in-between takes, the people on the set were already singing the song,” proudly shared Miguel, whose band The Morning Episodes broke through the US radio last year.

Until The Sunrise, according to the band frontman, was written mostly using an iPad, logically explaining the technology-driven arrangement and delivery of the track. The movie played out the song almost in its full version in one set of sequences, and all throughout turned it into a recurring element, with its high-recall melody coming in and out in the form of diverse arrangements.

Miguel added, “As friends, Solenn and I talk about music and I’m super thankful that she likes the piece, endorsed it to the movie’s director who fortunately found it likable.”

Mumbai Love, produced by Capestone Pictures, in association with Wanderlustproject Films, stars Solenn as Ella, a free-spirited Pinay who, during a business-related trip to Mumbai, bumped into an Indian-Filipino guy named Nandi (portrayed by Kiko Matos). The latter turns out to be in search of his dream girl as opposed to the lady his parents want for him as part of the arranged marriage tradition pervading in India.

Directed by Benito Bautista, the film distributed by Solar Entertainment Corp. likewise boasts of an intriguing support cast led by Jayson Gainza who plays a righteous gay character responsible for raising his niece Ella, and Martin Escudero, playing the role of Ella’s enigmatically scary photographer-friend. Veteran actors Raymond Bagatsing and Ronnie Lazaro are also part of the cast, along with a host of character actors and new faces that generally hold well for the tale of two strangers on a high after a chance meeting in Mumbai.        

“This is done with love, energy, and so much culture. We hope we’ve blurred the lines between indie and mainstream movie-making with this one,” stated Benito.

Solenn sounded delightfully proud upon greeting fans and friends who went to see the film on premiere night. “We’re very excited to show something new to different audiences.”

Mumbai Love is now showing in theaters nationwide.