REALITY shows on television may be dishing out singers at a rate that’s quite alarming. But the prodigies churned out by the shows have a bigger battle to fight before they reach the studios. For they have to compete with none other than leading celebrities of the film fraternity - from heroes to comedians - who have extended their interest to the mike and are singing film songs.
The latest to join the group is Chiyaan Vikram, who by singing all the songs of his film ‘Kandhasamy,’ triggered media and public interest in the music score composed by Devisri Prasad. A lot of actors from Dhanush, who has sung a duet with wife Aishwarya Dhanush, to Simbu are wielding the mike for films. Directors in Kollywood, many of whom are turning heroes, are also trying their luck in front of the mike.
Heroines, lyricists and comedians haven’t turned a blind eye to this development and are turning singers too. Call it a marketing tool, sheer interest or real talent, film music just got more glamorous with the entry of these stars.
Among heroines, the most recent singer was Kushboo who wielded the mike to sing for the Vivek starrer ‘Magane En Marumaganey.’ Mamta Mohandas, a trained singer, has sung for ‘Villu,’ ‘Kaalai’ and a handful of songs in Tollywood. Andrea has crooned for ‘Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu’, ‘Anniyan’ and a couple of songs in her forthcoming film ‘Aayirathil Oruvan.’ Among comedians, Chandrababu is remembered for his talent as a singer. Karunas recently saw his debut as a music director with ‘Rajaadhi Raja.’ Kovai Sarala lent her voice to the title song of ‘Villu’ while Premgi Amaren, who was launched as a composer in ‘Adhey Neram Adhey Idam,’ has sung a couple of lovely songs. Vadivelu is yet another actor who has proven his singing prowess.
Director Mysskin, who has turned hero with ‘Nandalala,’ has already sung the bar number ‘Kannadasan Karaikudi’ in ‘Anjathay.’ Sasi Kumar has crooned for himself in his first movie as a hero, ‘Nadodigal.’ The same goes for Ameer who has sung in his first flick as a hero, ‘Yogi.’ Venkat Prabhu has sung for ‘Adhey Neram Adhey Idam.’ While most composers in Kollywood, from Ilayaraja to Deva, GV Prakash, AR Rahman and Yuvan Shankar Raja sing in the films they score music for, Harris Jayaraj remains the only composer in this league who has not sung a single song till date.
We know that actors like Kamal Haasan and Vijay make their presence felt with singing in tinseltown in addition to the hits they give on a regular basis. What is new, however, is that more actors are singing for other heroes’ films.
Dhanush has recently sung a song for Karthi in ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ with wife Aishwarya. Simbu is rumoured to be singing for Ajith in ‘Asal.’ He has already sung for heroes like Srikanth, (‘April Madhathil’) Manoj (‘Ennai Theriyuma’) and Sundar C (‘Sandai’).
Composer Devisri Prasad gave actor Sidharth an opportunity to sing for Jayam Ravi in the film ‘Santhosh Subramaniyam.’ Among actors who have sung for themselves, Rajinikanth tops the list. Prashanth (‘Parthaen Rasithen’), Sarath Kumar (‘Yei,’ ‘Chanakya’ and ‘Thalainagaram’) have also sung for themselves in their respective films. Besides ‘Kandhasamy’, Vikram has sung in ‘Gemini.’
sharadha@epmltd.com