MUSIC DIRECTOR ANIRUDH RAVICHANDER INTERVIEW

It is surely a top of the world feeling. This was all unexpected as all I wanted was to become a music director before I turned 30. Even a C grade film would have sufficed (laughs). But it all happened so soon. These back to back successes are pressurizing but also really encouraging. This fear of keeping my success streak intact pushes me and acts as a positive force.

Sometimes it is scary and I am not able to comprehend it, but ultimately it is all due to music. They are not fans but just music lovers. You needn’t imagine banners, cutouts and all (laughs).
 

It is a very nice feeling as only rarely, someone is accepted like this so soon. I have to live up to this love.

First of all, music is something to be enjoyed. We shouldn’t see it as some big challenge or difficulty. Music’s soul is instinctive and is based on mood. The rest of the song’s structure will be added-on with time and with more ideas flowing in. That’s why I am choosy and take time to sign on for new films.
 

And yes, cinema is about people management and getting along with people. In all my albums, I thank all the people involved - Dhanush, Siva and the whole music team. All are friends and I thank them all.

I have no ‘gaana’ influences and ‘Open the Tasmac’ is my first true ‘gaana’. But there have been soup songs before. Soup songs are the in-thing now and are in demand, and are worth a shot. Audiences are dancing for such songs in theaters. But, am still trying to be different in this space.

‘Open the Tasmac’ was supposed to be a single track by me, in collaboration with Honey Singh. But Maan Karate’s director Thirukumaran felt that this tune and concept suited the ‘gaana’ situation in the movie. Then we thought of bringing Deva Sir in, as he was the first to popularize ‘gaana’ in movies. But I tortured him a lot, demanded a lot of takes and despite being an experienced veteran composer, he sang so cooperatively and was proud of working on the number. Thanks a lot to him.
 

With lyrics by 'Gaana' Bala, vocals by Deva and my tune, we felt it would be a nice attempt and am glad that it has worked.

Melodies will stand the test of time. For example ‘Po Nee Po’ is getting more airplay in radio nowadays, and not 'Kolaveri'. That’s the staying power of melodies. For a particular time frame fast songs will rule, but soft melody songs will stay for long. A mix of both types of numbers should be there in any album.

I have seen a lot in my life in a very short period of time (laughs). Many big controversies at such a young age and so much good work too. Social media can work in both ways and I have experienced the positives and negatives too. There have been lots of things to learn in life from these controversies.

- The unexpected hit among your songs – I would say Oh Penne. I loved the tune, and it is among my favorites. But I was uncertain about audience reception for it but am thrilled about the eventual response.
 

- The most underrated among your songs  – Po Nee Po’s remix from 3. It had a very niche target base, and catered to an upmarket audience. I actually thought in the beginning that it would become a rage, beyond Kolaveri and the other love songs.
 

- The song which is closest to your heart – Currently VIP’s Oodhungada Sangu and Maan Karate’s Un Vizhigalil.
 

- The favorite artists that you have collaborated with – Aadhi and Honey Singh gel with my sensibilities a lot, but I like all the artists that I have worked with.
 

- The best picturized among your songs – Maan Karate’s Maanja.
 

- Your song which could have been filmed a tad better – Kolaveri didn’t meet the audience’s expectation after becoming such a pre-release rage and driving in so much audience to theaters. It was shot in a simple manner while the audience was expecting something extra-ordinary thanks to the hype.
 

- Your song with the best lines – In my music, I would say lyrics are a big highlight. They will be easily relatable, easily sing-able and will also have good interesting words like Osakka. The favorite is VIP’s Amma Amma, as the lines are touching and also easily relatable.
 

More with Anirudh, next week in Part 2 of this special. Stay tuned