Music Sensation Thaman is one of the top music directors who are in full form in our Telugu cinema at present. Thaman, who is busy with a series of films, recently completed the background score work for ‘Pushpa 2’. Taman is currently busy with films like Ozzy, Raja Saab, Game Changer, Daku Maharaj. In this order, Taman will celebrate his birthday (November 16) in a grand way. In this order, Taman has made contact with the media. Let’s see what he shared.
How do you accept so many projects? How are you handling it?
There used to be routine pictures. But now different stories are coming. Different concepts are coming so I am giving different music. I am very happy. ‘Telusu Kada’, ‘Oji’, ‘Game Changer’, ‘Daku Maharaj’ are very special. The movie ‘Daku Maharaj’ will have only three songs. Game Changer has seven songs. Shankar is making a proper commercial film after many years. Songs, fights, whatever you want. A game changer for the whole family to watch together.
Looking to compete with yourself this coming Sankranti?
Balayya’s Sankranti and Ram Charan’s Game Changer were earlier planned to release in December. But finally the game changer came Sankranti. Dil Raju made many adjustments for that. Worked hard. Sankranti has another picture of him. The game changer was fixed on January 10 after talking to everyone.
What precautions do you take in case of RR?
If there is no emotion in the film, no matter how much I shoot, it is a waste. I give music according to the story, according to what the director has taken. Bhagwant cannot give to Kesari as he gave to Akhanda. I am looking to create a trend after Mani Gari for BGM. For some films, the voice should be heard more.. For other films, the sound of the equipment should be heard more. I feel as if Shiva himself came into me while doing Akhandaku. I don’t know if that range BGM will be given again.
How does it feel to work for Pushpa 2?
I was scared to see Pushpa 2. It came amazingly. After this movie, all the awards will also come running for Bunny. They told me to complete the entire film in fifteen days. That is not possible. That’s why I almost completed the first half in my time.
Do you think you still have more to achieve?
I have not achieved anything till now. There is more to be achieved. Currently our industry is growing. Once they used to bring artists from neighboring languages and states. Now globally famous artists are coming to act in our films. We are discussing with Korean and Japanese people for Oji. Our spawn is growing. Also I have to learn new things and adapt to the global level.
Who is your inspiration in music?
My dream is to go to the level of AR Rahman. Shankar saw an actor in me during boys time. It took me years to realize that I am a good music director. My dream is to give music for Shankar’s film. But I used to think that I did not fit the style of Shankar and Sukumar. That’s why I don’t have their numbers either. During the lockdown, Shankar watched the movie Ala Vaikunthapuram several hundred times. I was scared when Dil Raju told me about this game changer project and told me to go and meet Shankar. The album was completed within six months.
How are the “game changer” songs going to be? What kind of magic did Shankar create?
Next we will release a duet song from Game Changer on 20th. After that we will plan a grand event in America and release a song called Dope. The song also has an English version. Seeing the picturisation of the game changer song was a mind block. Two eyes are not enough to see them. After many days we are going to see perfect commercial songs. Ticket money can be given only for those six songs. Shankar first shot six songs in Game Changer. The scenes were shot only after that.
Say the same for “The Raja Saab”.
The Raja Saab has six songs. There will also be a remake song. The songs are similar to those of a proper commercial film. We want to give song updates from January.
You get a lot of trolls and criticism, what do you say to them?
I have been continuously giving music to movies which were once stereotypical. At that time they were trolled as copy cat and copy goat. No more selecting such routine pictures. Smart people copy very carefully. Can’t find where it hit. But I’m not that smart. Do not copy. That’s why I get caught soon (laughs).
When will there be updates from Pawan Kalyan Oji?
Whatever I say about Oji will reach DCM. That’s why I speak cautiously. It was planned to release the song and poster on September 2. But everyone is suffering from the effect of his floods. He said not to release it now. We will give updates from January. Almost 80 percent shooting is over. Openings which have not come in India so far will come to Ozzy. We are struggling to meet him. And what about singing? (laughs)
Tell me your personal stuff? What do the wife and children do?
My wife looks after all my account and music affairs. If I have any needs, I will ask for money. She will give. My son is in IIT first year. My family is also slowly shifting to Hyderabad.
How do you handle so many tasks? How does your team support you?
My first remuneration was Rs. 30. As a keyboard player I can take 40k max in a day. It is the highest in India. After working all day, the producer comes in the evening, gives money and takes them home. I go in search of happiness. The team has been with me for 25 years. They are my strength.
Will you give music for Allu Arjun-Trivikram project too?
Bunny-Trivikram is also doing next project. Trivikram will go to the next league with that movie. Actually he had to go sometime. Trivikram is going to show a new world for this project. You will soon know that.
Has the work on “Akhanda 2” started?
Akhanda started 2 works. Already a song is over.
What is your life ambition and dream?
My desire is to build a musical school. I want to teach music for free to economically backward people. Where there is music the crime rate is very low. If I come to play cricket.. immediately a tune comes. I enjoy playing cricket a lot. I will build a world class studio here in two or three years. Will the government help? I will also ask. I do not ask to give space.
Doing music with Akira Nandan in Oji?
I am looking to sing a song with Ramana Gogula in Oji. Akira plays the piano brilliantly. I call Akira for Oji. Akira’s fingers are also very large. He is like a person who plays the perfect piano. Akira worked with me for two months.