Anirudh Interview Part 1:”Remo was a conscious ‘sketch’ to push Sivakarthikeyan’s market up”
Very few composers have established a brand of their own in Indian cinema. And very very few have managed to do that at a very young age. Anirudh is most definitely one among this select lot of early bloomers who quickly went on to attain superstardom in the music space. Anirudh offers a lot to the films that he is a part of, and he actually commands an opening at the ticket windows. His most recent success is Remo, which follows superhits like Naanum Rowdy Dhaan and Vedalam in 2015. Anirudh is generally elusive when it comes to interviews but Kaushik LM managed to nail him at his posh studio for an extensive interview. As he celebrates his birthday today, do read Part 1 of this ‘Ani’ special here
Remo is yet another success in your decorated career graph. How special does it feel?
“Remo was a release for me after a long gap, and that makes this success all the more special. The 2nd half of 2015 was packed with back to back films and I wasn’t having any peace of mind. From the beginning of this year, I focused on Remo alone; so the excitement is big now. It is the next level for Sivakarthikeyan, who has always been a proper entertainer. Remo was a conscious decision to push his market level up. “Sketcha potu thookinadhu dan” (laughs). I’ve always wished well for him and wanted him to become a mass hero from Ethir Neechal times itself. Today he has grown big and I see it as an inevitable success as he’s clean at heart.”
How is being selective with films working out for you, with respect to your work-life balance?
“It is super. In all these 4 years of my career so far, I feel the happiest in my head now. I am enjoying my work, with independent music and the films that I am comfortable with. Remo’s success is like the icing on the cake, to add more happiness. Siva is clever in what he wants to do and to whom he is catering. That gave me added confidence and the success just proves it.”
You had mentioned in an earlier interview that you will be learning carnatic music. What’s the status now?
“I am still learning, thrice a week, from my violin player Ananthu. This exposure was useful for Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. Thaana Serndha Koottam will be in that zone again. It will offer a nice musical balance for listeners, after massy outings like Remo and ‘Thala 57’.”
There is a criticism that your music packs too much EDM and synth. Your comments?
“That’s due to my age, Thalaivaa. After seeing the crowd at my concerts, I am clear about my target audience, which is mainly within the age of 25. Electronic music is in a different level now and I want to bring that to Tamil cinema. Electronic music production is something which I like, more than music direction. This interest led me to Diplo and I am learning more with practice. I am also able to acquire their Western styles and techniques. My independent music offerings will be more towards the electronic side while my films will strike a balance.”
What can we expect from your collaboration with Diplo and other international artistes?
“Diplo came to Mumbai and was looking out for collaboration with an Indian musician. He researched and came to know about me. I also had my specific aims in the independent music space. We vibed well in LA when I was there recently and we worked on 7 to 8 songs together. Diplo’s music is mainly in the dance space but there is lots of variety in our Indian music. They want that variety to be fused with their style and they are really excited with my Indian sensibilities. The Indian version of Justin Bieber’s ‘Cold Water’ will be like a precursor to our collaboration and will be released around Diwali time.
In December, the first song with Diplo would be out. In Jan or Feb, another indie song would be released. All these songs would have a video too and Sony Music would be launching them. After 2 years, a proper album will be released. Until then, singles will keep coming out with various artistes, who are all very open-minded and interested in collaborations. I am also in the perfect age and space; it is very exciting and there is lots of learning ahead. I always had that aim to release songs in English, by collaborating with international artistes. I am happy that it has happened so fast. It will be ultimate even if 1 of these 8 songs clicks. It will open up so many things for me.”
Comfort zones seem to dictate your film signings, of late …
“Yes, comfort zones do matter for my style of music. I compose randomly whenever I feel like it and my music depends on my mindset at that point of time. There is a tune bank with me and I take the appropriate songs from that bank based on the song’s situation. I am really comfortable working with Siruthai Siva; he doesn’t ask me anything. But I’ll be working with Mohan Raja for the first time. All these directors are open to my idea of the tune bank and incorporate those tracks to their films. I’ve never composed with on-the-spot inputs.”
Here is the Part 2 of our interview, where Anirudh talks about ‘Thala 57’, Thaana Serndha Koottam, working with Simbu, controversies, relationship with Dhanush and his Tollywood debut in Pawan Kalyan – Trivikram’s film.
Interviewed by Kaushik LM
