GV Prakash Kumar can tell you a thing or two about time management. The actor-musician has 10 films to his credit this year. The first among these is the Rajiv Menon musical, Sarvam Thaala Mayam , which hits screens tomorrow. Working on the musical was a different experience emotionally, he admits, highlighting the added benefits of live sound and jamming with other musicians on screen. Next up is MM Chandramouli’s 100% Kaadhal , which is scheduled for a Valentine’s Day release. In a chat with Sundaylite , Kumar tells us whether we’ll get to see him as a music composer this year, his fitness obsession, friends in the industry and more.
We will see a lot of ‘actor’ GV Prakash in 2019. Anything as a composer?
I’ll be scoring music for Suriya’s (untitled) film and for Dhanush’s Asuran . I’m excited about these projects. Even the roles I play on screen will be performance-oriented, be it Jail (directed by Vasanthabalan) or Ayngaran (directed by Ravi Arasu), in which I play a young scientist.
How do you select a project?
I try not to stick to one genre. I look for something different every time, something I’ve not done earlier.
With so much on your schedule, how do you strike a work-life balance?
(Laughs)... I won’t be stressed since I love what I do. I’m very happy with the work I have lined up.
Do you have any non-film music projects coming up?
A world album featuring international artistes has been in the works for a while now. I hope to bring it out by next year. Other songs close to my heart are the ones I composed for the Harvard Tamil Chair and the theme song for the jallikattu protests.
“Fitness gives me confidence” - GV Prakash Kumar
You’d cited AR Rahman as your biggest musical influence, in the early stages of your career. Since turning a solo music composer in 2006, has this changed?
My musical influences also include Madan Mohan, RD Burman and Ilaiyaraaja. I also love to listen to the compositions of Hans Zimmer and Ennio Morricone.
You’re only 31. Yet you’re an industry veteran having composed/acted in 50+ films. Along the way, you must have forged friendships with many.
I’m really close to directors Vetrimaaran and Sudha Kongara. I’m also close to Thalapathy Vijay, since I’d composed for his films Theri and Thalaivaa. Actor Siddharth is another person who I bond well with, ever since we worked together in director Sasi’s (yet-to-release) Rettai Kombu .
Your wife, Saindhavi, is a playback singer and has sung for your films too. Do you have a favourite song of hers?
It is really hard for me to pick a favourite. But I loved what she did with ‘Vizhigalil Oru Vaanavil’ for Deiva Thirumagal . I have to admit though that her best is yet to come.
On your Instagram, you’ve been sharing a lot of workout and gym posts. Are you preparing for a role?
No. Fitness is very important to me, and not just because it is required of an actor. It gives me confidence. I also take care about what goes into my food. I don’t eat too much rice and sugar, and I prefer organic food.
An interview with GV Prakash Kumar sharing his experience working with Rajiv Menon and AR Rahman on Sarvam Thaala Mayam follows...
