Interestingly, all three films — 'Vakeel Saab', 'Bheemla Nayak', and 'Bro' — that the music director did with the actor were remakes.
Music director S Thaman. (musicthaman/ Instagram)
S Thaman stepped into the relatively uncharted territory of the film industry when he was as small as nine. Now, after 25 years, he proved himself as an indispensable musician in Tollywood.
He fumbled but didn’t give up; every step taught him a lesson.
“It consumed a lot of effort and time. I am a different human being now. Imagine if it was any other person in my place. Perhaps he would have run away or died of a brain haemorrhage,” says the music maestro ahead of the release of the much-anticipated film Bro.
The movie stars Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej in the lead.
In a conversation with the web media on Monday, 10 July, Thaman explained why it is a serious business to score music for Pawan Kalyan, settling a score with trolls on Twitter, cricket (which he terms his emotional let out), the rumours being stoked deliberately and the fate of Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram.
Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej in ‘Bro’. (IamSaiDharamTej/ Twitter)
Ask him how challenging it is to work for a film that boasts a star like Pawan Kalyan and Thaman said without a flicker of hesitation: “It’s like scaling Mt Everest!”
He further added, “All my three films with Pawan Kalyan — Vakeel Saab (2021), Bheemla Nayak (2022), and Bro — were remakes. So, the task before me was to turn them into musical hits which I did.”
The music composer recalled, “Even if you notice the ‘Maguva Maguva‘ song in Vakeel Saab, the same theme was used for the fight sequence in Metro Rail. We had to use it to give the messy look to the Power Star.”
So, what can we expect from Bro then? “Well, Bro is entirely a different subject. But it will surely make an impact on audiences. Trivikram’s deft touch added a new flavour to the story. And if there is someone like Pawan Kalyan on board, the film has to take a massive form. Bro definitely will have its moments when it finally arrives in theatres.”
Pawan Kalyan in ‘Bro’. (IamSaiDharamTej/ Twitter)
Bro is the Telugu remake of Samuthirakani’s Tamil film Vinodhaya Sitham (2021).
When asked if the original music of Vinodhaya Sitham influenced him, Thaman clarified, “There’s nothing much to ponder about the original music. There were no songs in the Tamil film specifically.”
He hastened to add, “The background score in the original was good. There were variations, moods and patterns attuned to the story. But in Bro, since Pawan Kalyan is the standalone figure, his stature mattered to us a lot. So, I had to work a lot on the music. After all, scoring music for Pawan’s film is a serious business.”
The first single from Bro — “My Dear Markandeya” — raised massive expectations among Pawan’s fans. However, the track garnered mixed responses which Thaman agreed.
“Originally, the song belongs to Dharam Tej. But Pawan Kalyan comes in between and utters a few lines. We can’t oblige every wish of fans.”
‘My Dear Markandeya’ song poster. (IamSaiDharamTej/ Twitter)
He further explained, “Music uplifts the mood of the story. It is based on the levels of intensity in the narrative. We can’t simply give a ‘massy’ twist to a song. The task was to tell the song like a proverb on the screen. We can’t treat the song ‘My dear Markandeya‘ as a peppy-item number.”
He added, “So, we had a few restrictions when it came to delivering the music. And, I’ve no authority to take the final call. A lyric writer works on it and director Samuthirakani has to okay it. So many factors are involved in the process of filmmaking.”
Refuting the allegations made by a few netizens that tune from his previous work have been added to Bro, the music composer asserted, “Every tune in the film is a new one. None of the tunes of my previous works were borrowed.”
About other songs, he revealed that they’re doing a promotional song on the subject of ‘Time and its relativity’.
“It may not be featured in the film but would be played during the rolling titles. Another duet featuring Dharam Tej is about to release soon. One more track based on an ancient Hindu sloka will be up for release soon. These apart, a montage is being planned for the climax.”
S Thaman with Trivikram. (musicthaman/ Instagram)
Watching Pawan Kalyan and Sai Dharam Tej in close quarters on the film sets, Thaman said he is enamoured by the Power Star’s performance.
“The combination sequences between the uncle and nephew would be on a different level altogether. Their characters speak so simply as if they are casually talking and spending a fine time sitting at their home. The audience will get to see many surprises in the film,” the sensational music director added.
While it was a pleasure for Thaman to score music for Pawan Kalyan, he also admitted that he felt pressure from the fans.
“Pressure is common. But my experience shields me. One needs to understand the seriousness of the subject and story to score a movie that appeals to the tastes of the masses,” he pointed out.
About the film’s emotional aspects, he noted, “When Trivikram garu narrated the story, we felt a spasm of goosebumps passing through our veins. Bro will have its moments. It has an undercurrent message that leaves a lasting impact on audiences. The cast and crew, including producer TG Vishwa Prasad, were in tears after watching the movie.”
Thaman on the cricket field. (musicthaman/ Instagram)
Regarding trolls, Thaman asserted that he doesn’t have to reason out with every nerd on social media.
“I’m not here to give a reason to someone who writes whatever he fancies on Twitter. I am being paid for my work. No filmmaker or producer ever complained against my work.”
In the same breath, the music director said cricket was his emotional let out. “People have various avocations. My only emotional let out is cricket. I have a cricket team named ‘Thaman Hitters’ which has players from the software industry. I play a match at 9 pm every night. It gives me good health.”
Thaman manages the ever-growing demand for music in the Tollywood industry in an unconcerned manner. “In 2014, I gave music to as many as 13 films in one single stretch. It is not that I planned them perfectly. They flooded on me all at once. I could manage it meticulously because I like music.”
Thaman gave music to the Tamil film ‘Varisu’. (musicthaman/ Instagram)
He further added, “Now, I stopped accepting stereotypical stories. Bro has a unique vibe and Mahesh Babu’s Guntur Kaaram has a different shade. Everyone knows that Thaman can manage and Thaman can do it, that’s the reason why I am here before you.”
As regards the gossip that he has been ousted from the project Guntur Kaaram, he clarified, “It’s all false. I don’t know who is stoking such news. The project is turning out well.”
The ace music director is never worried about competition. “In fact, I did films like Simba (2018) and Golmaal (2017) in Hindi. I also did Varisu (2023) in Tamil. Competition is healthy and helps us give our best,” he insisted.
“Telugu producers don’t seem to be bothered by these borders. They would quickly rope in new talent if they like him/her irrespective of the region. ‘Mastaru Mastaru‘ song by GV Prakash received massive praise in Telugu. Anirudh Ravichander is no lesser music talent. They’re all masters in the craft,” Thaman added.
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