You are basically a singer, but why haven't you made it to the top spot?
Having a good voice alone is not enough; Lady Luck must smile on you. So far, I have sung more than 500 songs in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
What would you like to be called — a dubbing artist or a singer?
I have a good voice and clear diction. So it doesn't matter how people refer to me. As a singer, I have some wonderful numbers to my credit, and as a dubbing artist, I have dubbed for nearly 600 films, of which more than 75 films are for actor Mohan.
Why have you not tried your hand at other departments of filmmaking?
My father, S. S. Neelakandan, was instrumental in getting me my first break in Tamil and Telugu films. As I have been shuttling between theatres either to sing or dub, I have never thought about any other department till now. But I have done a few acting assignments in films such as Yagasalai, released a few years ago.
Can you name some of your favourite songs?
‘Parijatha Poove' in En Rasavin Manasile , ‘Mamarathu Pooveduthu' in Oomai Vizhigal , ‘Poove Poove Penn Poove' in Once More , ‘Muthama' in Sigaram and ‘Thanimaiyile' in Sattam Oru Iruttarai .
Have you achieved what you wanted in the film industry?
An artist can never be satisfied and, therefore, always works harder. I received the Kalaimamani Award in 1999 and the Best Dubbing Artist Award in 2005, both given by the State government. It is my dream to act with Kamal Haasan.
