Rakesh Unni, a daily wage labourer from Kerala, was in Chennai to meet Kamal Haasan recently. The reason? The viral video of him singing ‘Unnai Kaanadhu’ from Vishwaroopam that made even playback singer Shankar Mahadevan tweet about it. The star, who found him accidentally on a video he received on WhatsApp, had sent it to Shankar Mahadevan, who was in London.
“Kamal sir had called me as soon as he saw the clipping, saying he wanted to meet me. We spent almost an hour with him. He congratulated me on my singing and asked me if I am trained. I replied I just started learning two months ago. He has promised to offer me a chance in his upcoming film and wished me the best for my future,” says the 30-year-old.
Addressing the media outside his office, the star spoke of how Unni had come all the way from Alappuzha to meet him, and asked directors to give him opportunities. Unni once again sang the Vishwaroopam song in front of the actor. “Shankar sir’s voice and Kamal sir’s expressions made this song a classic. It is not surprising that he is called ulaganayagan ,” he recalls.
His love for Shankar Mahadeven began when he heard the first-ever song of the playback singer. “I get emotional if I speak too much about him. He is like my guru....except that I have not given him guru dakshina . Seeing my first viral video, Mahadevan sir called me and promised me we will jam together in Mumbai in his studio and record the song.” The ‘Breathless’ star’s expressions, pronunciation, nuance and detail in singing... all of this drew Unni to the singer. One of his favourites is ‘Enna Solla Pogirai’ from Kandukondain Kandukondain . He recorded the viral video while taking a break from his work, which involves loading tree logs onto lorries. The driver, who is a friend, decided to shoot the video. Three days after, Unni got a call from his brother-in-law’s daughter in Palakkad, who informed him that the video is a hit on social media. “I was stunned. I never knew things would take this turn.”
