'Akhanda' will be released in theatres on December 2. In this interview, music director SS Thaman talks about working for the Balakrishna movie, director Boyapati Srinu's vision, and more.
The understanding between Balakrishna garu and Boyapati Sreenu garu is amazing. That's why their movies don't flop. I have given my best because there are just four songs in 'Akhanda'. The BGM will be a treat.
Nowadays, cinema is changing every six months. Due to the pandemic, Boyapati garu had time to improve the script. 'Akhanda' is going to fetch us recognition. Re-recording was completed well in advance so as to make the product ready for a theatrical release.
I expected the teaser and trailer of 'Akhanda' to become a big hit and they have. There is a strong emotion in the movie and that's why the film is a perfect meal.
To compose the BGM, I did put in research. I studied about the Aghora tradition. The BGM is not typical. It's a never-before and never-after film. Films like this one can't be made every time.
Balakrishna garu has listened to the songs and he loved them. Music is composed keeping the hero's image in mind. It's the hero who tramits the sound to the audience.
'Akhanda' is not a regular commercial movie. It has been written from a different perspective. You won't find boring sequences in it. I enjoyed scoring for this movie. Boyapati garu gave me scope for music. He hasn't filled the scenes with too many dialogues.
A large team of 500-600 technicians have worked with me for 'Akhanda'. Just the number of singers stands at about 150. You will feel it listening to the RR. After the Aghora enters the screen, the film assumes a different feel altogether. The film allowed me the space to do experimentation.
Composing the title song in 'Akhanda' took a lot of time. I kept in mind the scene after which the song arrives in the film while setting the song to tune.
Just because you spend a lot of money on music, it doesn't mean the output will be great automatically. Being extravagant makes no sense without proper thought. A composer is known as the music director for a reason. He takes a call on when a track has to be introduced and withdrawn. A song that I compose must serve the purpose of the film. Commercial films are like 'avakai pacchadi'. Everything has to be spicy.
After 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo', music has become all the more important. An album has become like a wedding card before marriage.
I have to thank heroes for giving freedom to music directors and filmmakers these days. They are encouraging new ideas. Audio companies, too, are earning good revenues. I don't believe in the number game. If you keep the numbers in mind, you won't be able to work in peace.
The audience have become too busy these days. They are always on social media in the smartphone era. If I have to entertain such an audience, I have to work harder than before.
If we have to release all songs in a movie at one go, the audio company must be willing, the audience must have the attention span. Audio companies want views and it helps the promotions of a movie to release songs well in advance.
Trivikram sir's inputs helped me compose the 'Bheemla Nayak' songs in such a splendid manner.
Telugu movies have become pan-world. The movies of Prabhas, Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu are awaited by fans from across the world.
I had the opportunity to work on 'Rebel'. I walked out of the project because Lawrence wanted to compose music. I want to team up with Prabhas.
