Interview with GV Prakash Kumar – Musically High

GV Prakash Kumar is one of the busiest composers in tinseltown. With a slew of projects in hand to score music, he’s also got a handful of films where he plays the lead hero. Only Kollywood interacted with GV Prakash for a quick conversation and the excerpts are below.

You’ve nearly completed a decade in the industry. How has the journey been so far?

It’s been wonderful. Music is an ocean and I’m like the kid who’s learning to swim in it, everyday. My passion for the art is still the same and that’s what keeps me going.

What is that you really enjoy about composing music?

Composing is creation. With every album, you start from the scratch. There are absolutely no boundaries. You let your imaginations fly until you create something new. The high I get out of the process keeps me motivated.

Is there a preferred time for you to compose? Like how A.R Rahman usually likes to compose late in the night.

There’s no preferred time. All creators wait for that moment, for the spark within to get ignited. I usually think about the script, about the tracks I have to work on and when that moment arrives, I sit down and compose.

Does being Rahman’s nephew add any pressure on you?

Initially, yes, it did but not anymore. People used to compare our music, but it all changed subsequently. With a few different albums, I managed to carve my own space with good fan following. Now, I’m aware of the expectations people have from me.

You’ve just started work on your 50th film. What’s been the toughest project in your career?

Perhaps, the most challenging project was Aayirathil Oruvan, which had period music and I had to travel with it. Though it was a period film, it had elements of fantasy as well. If it was an authentic period film, I would’ve done it differently. But since it was period-fiction, I had to bring in the fantasy element. As a composer, I opened new vistas with that experience.

Is there any particular genre you would like to compose music in?

I’ve always wanted to work in the horror genre. With my new film Darling, in which I’m acting too, I finally did it. I’ve pushed myself into a new zone with this album. I used the opportunity to innovate with the genre, especially with the theme music The Dead Are Back, which will have lasting effect on the listener’s psyche.

What’s more challenging – composing songs or background music (BGM)?

With songs, the approach is different as everything starts from ground zero. BGM is scene-based. You have a scene and it needs to be elevated with music. If the performances are underplayed, the score has to overplay and vice versa. The only way to master BGM is with experience. I’ve got some nice projects like Deiva Thirumagal, Pollathavan and Aadukalam wherein I could challenge myself and do something different with the music.

Do you feel Indian cinema is yet to use music as a strong narrative medium?

I can’t comment about the industry but I’ve always strived to do something different and not just compose regular tracks. I feel music should also educate. I don’t want people to forget our traditions, our ragas and keerthanas. That’s why I made the little girl sing a classical solo in Saivam. My albums feature variety of songs. I think it’s very important to maintain the standard legendary musicians such as Rahman and Illayaraja have set. In Bollywood, I really like Amit Trivedi, who’s been very creative with music.

You’ve worked with Anurag Kashyap twice. He’s someone who likes songs and uses them effectively in his films. How was working with him?

When I finished the background score of Gangs of Wasseypur and sent it to him, I was waiting for his feedback but he didn’t get back. I wondered if he listened to my score because if he had and didn’t like it, he would’ve asked me to make changes. Few months later, I was invited for the Cannes premier of the film. When Anurag believes you in a creative space, he’ll not interfere and gives you the budget and time to work. With Ugly, I’ve ventured into new territories. I’ve mixed trance into dubstep for a song, which I’ve crooned. It will be my debut song in Hindi.

As a composer, where does your role come into a film?

I join the director right from the scripting stage. When I know how a script gets translated, it allows me to contribute right at the beginning. But I leave the final call to the director to take. Some directors like Bala have valued my suggestions and have incorporated.

What do you have to say about your contemporaries like Anirudh, Santhosh and Ghibran? Do you consider them as competition?

Firstly, I really like Santhosh’s music, there’s so much quality in his songs. And there’s nothing to be competitive because I’m as busy as I was few years back. I have a set of directors who like to work with me, audiences who listen to my work and have plenty of projects in hand. My career is not affected by their presence. I think it’s healthy to have them around. There are so many restaurants, but you don’t restrict yourself to just one, do you?

With acting, you’ve taken up extra responsibility on your shoulder. Now that you’re married, how do you plan to take out time for family?

I love to work. If I had taken up a regular job, life would’ve become boring and monotonous. I’m a workaholic and I enjoy challenges.

What do you think marriage has done to you?

It has certainly made me more responsible because I have a person in my life I need to take care of. I have to give her the space and also spend time. Both of us have lot of mutual respect and understanding as we’ve known each other long enough.

Now that you’ve started to act, how are you finding that experience? Is acting challenging than composing?

Acting is like playing tennis match. Neither can you hit the ball too hard nor too lightly. In acting, you can’t exaggerate too much or be too subtle. Acting is about finding balance and control.

Will composing take a backseat since you’ve started to act now?

I’ll continue doing more music. In fact, I have so many projects in my kitty. I have Vetrimaaran’s Visaranai, A.L Vijay’s next film, Komban,Pencil and I’m also doing the Tamil remake of Thattathin Marayathu. I also have Ugly and Kaaka Muttai.

You’re 50th film is with Vijay. What’s your relationship with him like?

He’s like a brother to me. His entire family is very close to me. It’s lovely to collaborate with him again and I’m really excited about the project, which’s going to be an important one in my career. Since it’s a Vijay’s film, the album has to satisfy everybody. I’m going to make Vijay sing again.