Sam C S's songs and background score are definitely two of the important pluses of Vikram Vedha. Post Vikram Vedha, the young composer is busy with many interesting projects and he takes time off his busy schedule to talk to Jyothsna Bhavanishankar on varied topics such as his music, love for background score, his inspiration, independent music and other topics. Tune into Sam CS.
Director Thiru had called me after the release of Vikram Vedha around the month of October. In their perspective, Mr.Chandramouli was a commercial entertainer. But I saw the film as an emotional drama between a dad and his son and I treated it that way. It was different from the thrillers that I am associated with right now. It talks about the affection between a dad and a son. Music for Chandramouli would remind the listeners of the 80s. Since Karthik and Gautham Karthik feature in the film, I have brought in a kind of fusion of music of the 80s and the current trendy one.
As regards the BGM of the film, it would be like a mix of pain laced with happiness. Karthik sir is not there in most part of the 2nd half. Therefore, the music had to be a little sad but at the same time reminiscent of his cuteness too. The theme of the music was woven around him as he was the pivot of the film.
Mr. Chandramouli's BGM needed a voice to render 80s feel. We were first contemplating to call Brinda for a melody song but later felt that she would be suitable for the theme number. I also needed a voice that would be natural, organic, fresh and like that of the girl next door. To be very honest, we did not call her because of her brothers or father. She has talent and a great interest in singing. Her voice is unique and I am sure she has a bright future in singing.
I like doing BGM more than songs because songs are easily done. In Tamil films, most of the situations would fall under a template. When there is a song, it is easy for the audience to fix a specific emotion for the number. But background score is not like that and it begins just a second before a scene which could be long or short. Of course, the hard work for both the songs and background score composition is the same. However I give importance to the background score. I also get films that seem to give prominence to background score and I think I am doing a responsible work in this.
I do not have a specific pattern and it is need based. Music Directors work during nights mainly because there would not be any disturbance. I work both during day and at nights. I get tunes at random times like when I am travelling or eating. I record them in iPhone voice recorder as and when I get them. I composed Tasakku Tasakku in Vikram Vedha when I was travelling from home to the studio. So, there is nothing like I work only during night or day.
However much talented a technician maybe, he or she needs an opportunity or a stage to prove his/her prowess to the world. It is true in my case too. My career can be slotted as before and after VV. I did Puriyaadha Pudhir before VV. I got VV after the makers saw Puriyadha Pudhir. VV was the film that communicated to people what I am capable of. I am committed to many films in many languages after Vikram Vedha which had given me my identity and a nationwide reach. Today Sam is known to people because of Vikram Vedha. I am happy about it. It looks like I might do Hindi Vikram Vedha too. I am also keen to do it. I should thank Pushkar Sir-Gayathrie ma'am as they never restricted me and gave me a lot of freedom. I learnt a lot from Vikram Vedha. I can say Vikram Vedha is the film that has changed me.
Vignesh Shivan sir had tweeted about Rakesh Unni tagging me. Aspiring singers by and large auto tune their voice which makes it sound so mechanical. But Rakesh Unni was so different. He sang so well and that too effortlessly. There was no grammar or instruction abiding pattern in his voice. He sang so naturally and I am sure such singers will be talked about for a long time. After I heard his voice, I contacted him and asked if he would sing in my composition and he also agreed. He is a superb talent. His voice and music knowledge were laudable. He will be singing for me this week.
When I create music, I don't have any specific singer in my mind. In the 90s, the songs were conceived in such a way that the actors in it will be seen doing the lip movement to match the lyrics. These days most of the songs are montage ones, so we need not think about matching the voice with the artist. However, after a tune is done, I do have a discussion as to who can sing the number. There would be suggestions. To make a song hit, you don't have to bring in a top singer. In my opinion, the voice should convey the emotion of the song. In my songs, there are always a couple of new singers. Guna, the singer who sang Tasaku Tasauku has such a natural feel in his voice. He has also sung in Chandramouli. What is important is a voice that could convey the right kind of emotion, which could be a new one or an established one.
As regards Tamil, I think independent music is going to emerge big and film songs might come down. Even now, if you see, there are just a couple of songs in a film, earlier it used to be 7 or 8 per film. Although songs in Indian films are integral, I feel they may not be there, perhaps, in a decade from now. Independent music will play a major role then. Social media platforms provide an ideal stage to showcase musical talent of people. There are many audio companies and music channels that encourage this. I am also interested in independent music. Although I compose film music, it is for somebody's idea, feel, script, emotion or for a particular situation in the film. But independent music is not like that.
I never had any plans to become a music director. I was like any other person, having done my education in IT and working in that field. But I have always been interested in music and have learnt the art since childhood. I have grown up listening to the music of Raja sir and Rahman sir. I don't think anyone would have crossed 80s and 90s without stumbling upon Raja sir. It is said that what you like the most will come out in your creation. This is true in my case. You can feel Raja sir in my music. I like Rahman sir for his sounding. Live players and programmers in my troop have played for Rahman sir. I respect him a lot in this department. I would like to do something that would be an amalgamation of Raja sir and Rahman sir. I am also travelling in that direction only. There is so much to learn from Raja sir. I learnt background score and to do it differently from Raja sir only. Raja sir and Rahman sir are two important people in my life.
Ilayaraja sir is my all-time inspiration. To me Raja sir is synonymous with music.
There are so many new music composers in Tamil film industry. Independent musicians are also entering the field. Music is not something that is learnt, it has to come naturally. As regards independent musicians, they can work on a genre that they are fond of. But when it comes to film music, they need to have 360 degree knowledge. They should not think of bringing all their known genres under one umbrella. One will have to score film music as per the dictates of the director, script, character and the sequence. I cannot score one kind of a melody number of one film in another film. For those who want to enter film music direction, they need to compose in all varieties. Even if they don't know, they should be willing to learn. They should not be repetitive, in which case, their offers will dry up. The reason for Ilayaraja sir to have stood up for so many decades is because of his versatility. He has scored music in all genres. If they are equipped for this, it is wonderful. They should also give importance to sound and tune.
When we want our music to have a wider reach, it would be best to make a popular hero or heroine sing. There would be more audiences to listen to them. Dhanush's voice is unique and he has sung many for Anirudh. We all know that Dhanush sir and Vijay sir are good actors. But when they sing, there is a lot of naturalness in their voice. There are many elements in their voice that are relatable. I would like that Dhanush sir or Vijay sir sing in my music. Let's see.
I had signed many films after Vikram Vedha and almost all of them give importance to background score. I am doing Vijay sir's Lakhshmi. I am also doing Vanjagar Ulagam, a gangster film where Guru Somasundaram sir plays the lead. It's a new team and we are attempting something new musically. Besides that, there are Adanga Maru with Jayam Ravi directed by Karthik Thangavel, 100 under Sam Anton's direction where Atharvaa and Hansika play the leads. I have completed songs and BGM for these films. I am also doing NOTA with Vijay Devarakonda. It's a political drama. Then, there is Jiiva's gorilla and Ranjith Jayakodi's untitled film. I am also doing one film in Telugu and one in Hindi. In Malayalam, there is Odiyan.
After the release of Vikram Vedha and listening to its BGM, Sreekumar Menon, director of Odiyan had called me. Odiyan is one of the most expected Malayalam films. Mohanlal sir has trimmed down a lot for this film. Besides these, the script of Odiyan is different and non-linear. It traverses between two to three different time frames. It is the kind of script that demands a lot in terms of music. Already the trailer is receiving good reviews. This is my first Malayalam film. It also gives me immense pleasure that my debut in Malayalam has Mohanlal sir.