Composer Anirudh talks about Rajini-Kamal reunion, says dream collab includes Shah Rukh
Anirudh Ravichander talks about composing for the Rajini-Kamal reunion, choosing a retro sound instead of a mass template for the film’s popular number Aaja Raja, and the dream collaboration that is still on his bucket list.
Music composer Anirudh Ravichander is currently in the news for the Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan collaboration. From a retro-themed creation come king Reflecting on the fan edit and dream collaboration, Anirudh opened up about the experience in an exclusive chat with India Today Digital.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: Can you share some BTS moments from the sets of Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan reunion promo?
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Answer: Yes, I must say it was very surreal, because we have grown up watching both his films separately. The two of them coming together, I think it’s very, very special – after 47 years, almost. I think it’s setting an example for the rest of the country to follow. And to be there, to be a part of it, I feel, I’m very blessed and fortunate. And it was surreal to be there with them as they shared stories from the past. I think the shooting of the film will probably start next year and there is a lot of hype about it. But we just want to keep our feet on the ground and keep working and make sure people like it.
Q: Also, fans had a lot of expectations regarding Rachana. You are also his fan and have worked with him personally. what was it like? Also, what is the idea behind the last Aaja Raja tune?
Answer: I think as far as Rajini sir and Kamal sir are concerned, I have already composed a lot of mass music for them. So, the whole idea was that now both of them are coming back. Why not try something completely different, out-of-the-box? Why not go for a retro vibe? I think that applies with the whole promo and them coming in, coming into the garage and things like that. In fact I was a little skeptical just a day before the release. Normally, I don’t take too much pressure, but I was a little nervous because, maybe, what if people expect something ‘large’ from it? But I think the whole point is that we wanted to do something cool and different. And I’m very happy that people liked it.
Q: Is there a dream collaboration you’re looking for on your bucket list?
Answer: It would be Rajini sir and Shahrukh sir.
Q: In an interview, you said that you sometimes use your songs that you created in 2002-2003 when you were young. Are there any recent songs that you’ve picked up from your youth?
Answer: What we just talked about – Aaja King. His tune was a tune that I had had for a few years, just the tune. But then when I wanted to create something retro, I made the bed for it in terms of music. I was just thinking about putting a tune over it. A friend of mine in the studio reminded me. I think it goes well with it. This was probably three years ago. This was one of my recordings in the studio. So we mixed the two together. Nothing is wasted in our studio.
Question: You have given explosive songs and albums. But a track and an album… If we ask Anirudh what his favourite, which one will you name?
A: Nothing. You will always go with the first one. Because you don’t know how the world will accept you. so i will go along 3.
Q: Another song that you think should have been played better?
A: hridayam lopala (from the movie Empire). Because I think what we learn through this process is that… you can’t really aim to make something that big. Or something is not going through the roof. We do our work, sometimes there are hindrances, sometimes not. But I can say that maybe the whole album Empire.
Q: Also, I have seen several edits to the track spades Or Rogue Hollywood movies are added in editing. Have you seen any of them? What’s your favourite?
Answer: Sometimes people ask me if I am a music director for MS Dhoni or other heroes, because most of my songs are edited for Dhoni sir’s videos. So yes, there are a lot of edits around that.
What I liked best recently was the edit with Virat Kohli AA23 Subject. Also, many such edits were done with the promos of Rajni sir and Kamal sir. The editing of Messi and Ronaldo was fun to watch.
Q: So you made a promo with one track and then, after some time, you made another track. And then you were like, will this make everything okay? Have you tried something like this?
Answer: We will always feel bad, because sometimes when you come up with something good, you will say, I should have used it there. But it’s a process of making music. And yes, it is an integral part of it.
On the work front, Anirudh has delivered three blockbuster tracks in just one month. It started with the announcement promo theme of Allu Arjun-Lokesh Kangraj AA23This was followed by Aaja Raja for the Rajinikanth-Kamal Haasan reunion promo, and most recently the lion cameNani’s first single Heaven.