Not many would have rooted for Chirantan Bhatt when he was roped in for director Krish’s magnum-opus Gautamiputra Satakarni.
After all, he had stepped in to take the place of composer Devi Sri Prasad for the historical feature on Satavahana dynasty’s most successful ruler. Nay sayers were silenced after the launch of the film’s music album, reiterating Chirantan’s credentials as a composer, after Krish’s award-winning Kanche .
Shriya Saran and Balakrishna in ‘Gautamiputra..’
With around 15 releases in Bollywood and just three films in Telugu, the composer says the latter has done more good for his career. “In Hindi, I’ve not had a chance to work with A-listers, I was offered horror films and got to work with Vikram Bhatt. But Krish’s films were different, they were special. That’s one reason I’ve got more respect,” says Chirantan. In Bollywood, he was sometimes roped in to compose only one track or two; he didn’t feel a part of the team unlike Telugu films where people gave him control.
He feels period films like Bajirao Mastani and Rudhramadevi are a refreshing arena to tap into, especially when masala films rule the roost. “Even for the audience, the costumes, the backdrop and the music are an experience. Gautamiputra.. is being made on such a lavish budget, because they know the audiences like it. Actually Bollywood and other regional industries should learn from Telugu cinema fraternity to trust its audience more.”
Both of his films with Krish have been period films that did not offer him many musical references. “Research does matter, but remember you’re making music for a 2017 audience. With Gautamiputra.. ’s music, you instantly know the era in which it is set. And for a large scale film like that, being overtly experimental isn’t possible. For instance, for an epic war sequence, depending on the basic instruments of that age would’ve meant traversing into an abstract space,” he says.
Being familiar with Krish’s taste in music, getting tunes approved wasn’t an issue, but the director was quite specific and demanding. Entertainment factor was Chirantan’s priority in ensuring an uncompromising result.
Music was composed for Gautamiputra before the lyrics were penned by Sirivennela Seetharamastry, a decision governed by his lack of familiarity with Telugu. The rhythm, the particular metre of the lyrics complemented the music later, he adds. Composing first got him clued into the mood and the era better.
Most of his songs, be it Hindi or Telugu, are set on a melodic base. When composing a light-hearted melody like ‘ Ekimeeda ’ (which means Maharaja) for Gautamiputra.., he wanted to infuse it with certain freshness and that’s when he approached Udit Narayan to sing it. “I’ve been friends with his son for long, but I never knew that I would work with him any time. Krish felt it was a great idea, as Udit Narayan has had great hits with Balakrishna garu ( Samarasimha Reddy, Narasimha Naidu, Chennakesava Reddy, Simha ) in the past. It’s refreshing to have him back, his voice springs a similar magic now too,” he adds.
A firm voice with a strong baritone, you’re surprised to hear he isn’t comfortable hearing himself. “But never say never, if the audience wants me to try it in Telugu when I understand the language, why not?” So, how’s the mood at the Gautamiputra.. camp? “We are upbeat and confident. We know that we’ve made a great film, be it the content, the actors (Kabir Bedi, Hema Malini who are returning to Telugu films), the scale and the visuals.”
