Beneath G.V. Prakash’s calm demeanour lies a fiercely competitive and restless spirit. It is perhaps this that sets him apart from others in his league. And it is clearly this that helps him deliver a constant stream of hits.
No wonder producers are lining up to get him to score the music for their films. Sample this: No less than 11 films are in his kitty now. The projects include A. L. Vijay’s Thaandavam , Bala’s Paradesi, Karikalan, Yaen Endral Kadhal Enbaen, Vada Chennai , Cheran’s JK Enum Nanbabnin Vazhkai , Akshay Kumar’s Joker,Nimirndu Nil , Naan Rajavaaga Pogiren and Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum . He has also provided the background score for Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1 and 2. Besides, his songs in the latest Karthi-starrer Saguni have become hits.
GV is clearly delighted with Saguni . “Four songs have become hits,” he says with a smile. “I particularly like ‘Kandha Karavada’ because it is full of satire and Karthi’s presence has lifted it. On the whole, I’m delighted with the response to the film; more so because I’ve always been associated with classy films and with this, I have become a part of the commercial segment as well.”
GV has delivered excellence time after time, despite the pressure of ever-growing expectations. As he says, “I am someone who strives to deliver a hit every time I compose a song.” How does he manage in an industry that’s so competitive? “Well,” says GV, “Tamil cinema music has always been competitive. We have had legends like M. S. Viswanathan, Ilaiyaraja and A. R. Rahman here.”
Living up to this celebrity status can be difficult. Does the pressure get to him? “Expectations are mind-boggling,” he admits, “and with every hit, they go up, and pressure levels go up as well. But I try to balance it and handle it with a mature mind.”
There are some music directors who say they have to work under various constraints imposed by the directors. GV agrees that there are indeed constraints; “directors will have a different perspective of the song but I am someone who believes that you have to protect your music. You have to find a balance. I am very open and hear them out but finally, the decision will have to be mine because I take the responsibility for the music delivered to the audience.” However, at the same time, GV shares a very good rapport with all his directors. “There are no ego hassles and that is why there are hits. Directors like Vetrimaran, Vijay and Gayathri Pushkar all share a great understanding and rapport with me because we all started our careers together,” he signs off smiling.
Thaandavam
Director A. L. Vijay’s Thaandavam happens to be my 25th film. A good friend, he does justice to all my songs. It has five songs, including one ramp song for Amy Jackson. There are some really delightful lyrics by Na Muthukumar. The lines of one song, which I especially like, go like this… ‘Oru paathi kathavu neeyadi, oru paathi kathavu naanadi, parthu kondae pirinthirinthom, serthu vaika karthirinthom.’
