For music in Tollywood Keeravani is a signature. 27 years of hard work has brought this music director of ‘Manasu Mamatha’ to ‘Maryada Ramanna’ which happens to be his 203rd film. With the recent success of ‘Jhummandhi Nadam’, the expectations have gone up for his work in the comedy flick ‘Maryada Ramanna’. This apart, Rajamouli-Keeravani combination has been giving continuous hits and the recent one being ‘Magadheera’. So the audio release of “Maryada Ramanna” is scheduled today, which also happens to be the birthday of this lucky music director. An interview on this occasion has revealed a true personality in him as you could see from the excerpts below.
It’s now nearing three decades of long journey. You must have seen the different stages of the movie industry. Can you share your experience?
Well! I started my association with film industry through ‘Manasu Mamatha’ about 27 years ago and ‘Maryada Ramanna’ is my 203rd film. To the extent I noticed I do not find any big difference in the commitment of the people. The same efforts prevailed to get a correct line even today.
You have worked with Raghavendra Rao and Rajamouli. What is your feeling?
Yes! Raghavendra Rao is 20 years older than me and Rajamouli is 12 years younger to me. These age differences do not ever surface when we work based on merits of the story. I have never felt that.
We find a successful style in all your works with Rajamouli. Is there any formula in place?
Nothing like that. I put in the same efforts for all the films of all directors. And it is Rajamouli’s scripts and my music amalgamates well that they automatically become hits. Maryada Ramanna’s music also will be a feast to the audience and particularly ‘Telugammayi’ song.
Action and socio fantasy are Rajamouli’s style. But ‘Maryada Ramanna’ is from comedy background. Did you find any change in his approach?
I didn’t find any difference in his approach. It’s just the story that is different, but Rajamouli and his approach are same.
Can you tell us about your association with Arka Media?
After ‘Vedam’, ‘Maryada Ramanna’ is my 2nd film with them and incidentally their 2nd film too. Producer Vijendra Prasad is impressed with my brother Kaanchi’s story and has advised my cousin Rajamouli to do the movie and it’s me doing the music.
Did you ever get into a kind of difference of opinion with lyricists while fine tuning the songs?
Yes! Truly. There should never be an ‘Yes’ master. There should always be healthy arguments between professionals to churn out an amazing product.
In your opinion what should be the awareness level of literature to a music director?
It’s not mandatory for the music director to have command over language. The best example is S A Rajkumar who doesn’t know a bit of Telugu but ended up giving the best music in Telugu. But at the same time processing that knowledge always makes it easy.
Do you have any preferences while giving music for movies?
No, not really. If for a movie be it devotional or anything I may not do the music if I see there is no value for music in it. At the same time even if it happens to be an ordinary film which may give value to the music, I would certainly jump on the offer. One more thing is the capacity of the producer. If our work should not die on lab itself then there must be a producer who is capable of releasing the film atleast with 15 prints.
Have you done a movie which needed an investigation to provide music?
Yes! When I heard the story of ‘People’s Encounter’ I almost lost my senses and was totally confused as to what kind of music to be given for that film. But later as I went through certain books I could get a grip of the subject and provide the music. I should thank Raj-Koti who were initially offered that film.
What is your opinion on remix?
Each time a music composer tries to remix the song he should ensure that he does not spoil the originality of the song. But what I see is the attempt by those who do not know the core language and you can understand the outcome.
Now a days there are many budding stars surfacing through TV programmes. Are they really getting a chance to do in films?
The recent playback singers are all from the same source. Now there is a whole lot of options available due to this. Still I feel that for a better performance a singer should have atleast 25 years of age.
Apart from family and cinema, do you have any other interests?
Yes! I take interest on each and everything in my life. But it’s one thing that confuses me a lot. That is cricket and its rules. Inspite of many attempts I could rarely succeed in understanding that game. I may have to probably start investigations if a movie comes up on that subject and I may have to give music for it.
