Ramajogayya Sastry has penned all five songs in Balakrishna's 'Veera Simha Reddy'. In Chiranjeevi's 'Waltair Veerayya', he wrote one song. In this interview, the prominent lyricist, who wrote songs in 'Bheemla Nayak', 'RRR', 'Aa Ammayi Gurinchi Meeku Cheppali', 'Ori Devuda' and several other films in 2022, talks about his first movie releases of 2023.
In Chiranjeevi garu's movie, I wrote one song. Titled 'Neekemo Andamekkuva Naakemo Thondarekkuva', its very title is amusing. Music director Devi Sri Prasad was really excited about the lyrics. After we discussed and developed the concept, he fine-tuned the tune.
I am also thrilled to say that I will be seen in a blink-and-you-will-miss appearance in the song 'Maa Bava Manobhavaalu' in 'Veera Simha Reddy'.
I have also written lyrics for other Sankranthi movie releases. Such things don't happen if you plan. They have to happen unplanned.
Thanks to my experience, I haven't encountered writer's block problems. If I have to write a song of special importance, I take longer than usual. I start out with the intention of writing a great song in such a case. I would say that the songs in 'Veera Simha Reddy' and the one song in 'WV' are all next-level ones. They are also uniquely different.
Big-ticket films necessarily take time. For Balayya garu, I didn't get to write for 'Akhanda'. This time, I worked with renewed interest. And 'VSR' comes from the director of 'Krack', on which I worked. The director narrated the entire story starting from the first scene. With Thaman, the songs became amazing. So far, all three songs have become a hit. The fourth song is going to be even better.
A lyricist works as per the director's vision. The lyricist's work has to be in step with his imagination. When a songwriter pens all the songs in a movie, it's easy. The lyricist is aware of the language used in all songs, their wavelength and all. If different lyricists pen different songs, there is a problem of lack of coordination.
Every song is a challenge, not just the songs of big stars. After writing so many romantic songs, a lyricist will have to put in extra effort to write something new in the same genre. Since I have written for Balayya garu previously, there was this pressure of what new can be written.
'Maa Bava Manobhaavalu' sprang from me. When I pitched the idea to Thaman, he played ball. We then pitched the idea to director Gopichand Malineni. Balakrishna garu appreciated the lyrics when I was there on set while it was being shot. 'Manobaavalu' is a word that everyone uses in contemporary language.
The song 'Mass Mogudu' is going to be rollicking. It will come in the climax phase of 'VSR'.
Both the big Sankranthi releases are going to be a visual feat to the audience. They will also be a treat musically. They will surely create box-office records.
It's a great experience to pen songs to suit the image of Balakrishna and Chiranjeevi. Some songs can be written in tune with the image.
My advice to young lyricists is that they have to assess their enthusiasm and aptitude. Some lyricists write very good poetry but when it comes to feature films, you are supposed to write lines as per the tune. Sometimes, you will have to write without a tune. No matter how great the thought in your song might be, it has to be simple in terms of language. It's important to be a good reader. Patience and perseverance are the key.
