Clearing some of the air over the controversy surrounding the music of Ennu Ninte Moideen , M. Jayachandran who won the National Film Award for Best Music Direction for the song Kathirunnu Kathirunnu... said he worked in the film only after getting music director Ramesh Narayan’s approval.
At a meet-the-press at Press Club here on Wednesday, Mr. Jayachandran who got the award as he completes 20 years in Malayalam cinema said actor Prithviraj had told him that Mr. Narayan had earlier tuned three songs, of which two would be used. Another three songs tuned by Mr. Jayachandran would also be included in the film. “But I told him I will do it only if Mr. Narayan agreed. Later, Mr. Narayan called me and said you have to do it. He said he had scored the music but there were creative differences with the film-makers. Perhaps you may be able to bring in some changes.”
On Mr. Narayan’s allegation that Prithviraj had tried to remove his songs from the film, Mr. Jayachandran said he was not aware of such instances.
“I do not think about the politics or lobbying involved. My work is music. That’s why I could set to tune a song such as Kathirunnu Kathirunnu ...”
Prithviraj, Mr. Jayachandran said, was the one who invited him to become part of Ennu Ninte Moideen and gave him the freedom he required.
“He told me you have to do these songs. If you do, they will turn out good. If you do not agree, I will rope in Ilayaraja.”
The six-time State award-winner said he had expected the State Award, had waited for it, and thought he deserved it, but did not feel sad on losing out because it went to Mr. Narayan, a close friend who had created many beautiful songs.
His national award should be shared with Rafeek Ahmed and Shreya Ghoshal, Mr. Jayachandran said. “It was the result of a team effort,” he said.
The presence of three music directors, including Gopi Sundar, did not take away anything from the film. “We three brought musical images that were as beautiful as those a single music director would have created. We are part of Malayalam cinema and if we stand together we can raise it to national recognition,” he said.
