Yuvan
Shankar Raja is on a success ride. Churning out hits
after hits, the talented young music director speaks
to behindwoods.com on his musical journey.
Tell us about Vettai
It’s an out and out family-action entertainer.
I am joining hands with Lingusamy after Paiyya. I wanted
the songs to be different from Paiyya and the songs
in Vettai became successful proving that.
Did you use any
different instruments for the movie?
No I haven’t. Only whatever is required for the
movie.
Experience working
with Lingusamy
Lingusamy specializes in visually making the songs beautiful.
In Vettai, the song Damma Damma is shot in that manner.
About your singing
experience in Vettai. What made you sing a kuthu song?
Lingusamy asked me to attempt doing a kuthu song since
all my songs are melodies. So I did and I think it worked.
How do you select
singers?
It works in different ways. Sometimes I think a particular
singer will be good for one song, sometimes it’s
the director’s choice. It also happens that the
director and I discuss together and decide on a singer.
Lyricist selection
That happens before the movie goes on floors.
Tell us about the singers who sung for Vettai
We
have introduced a new singer Swetha Pandit in
Tamil. Other than that we have Vijay Prakash,
Saindavi and Harini. They have all done a great
job.
We have introduced a new
singer in Vettai
I am still waiting for my
Bollywood venture
Your
Bollywood venture
That
hasn’t taken off yet. I am still waiting.
Your work experience with Gautham Menon
Thanga Meengal, yes. Work hasn’t started on that
one yet.
Singing for Rahman
It was a good experience. He called me one day
and told me about the song. It has also come
out very nice.
Singing for Rahman was a good
experience
Which is the challenging movie you worked in?
There are many. In recent times, it has to be Avan Ivan.
Particularly, Vishal’s navarasam sequence.
Have you set yourself a goal?
No I haven’t. I just want to give good music.
My dad is not even aware of
what I am working on
Does
your father help you in your music?
No
he doesn’t. Half the time, he is not even
aware of what I am working on.
Almost all the songs sung by you turn out to be hits.
What do you think is the reason?
I do not know. Most of the times it so happens that
the directors insist I sing a particular song. That
is how it works.
Your future projects
Thanga Meengal, Billa 2, Aadhi Bhagavan and a few more
projects.
About the rapport you share with Ajith and Simbhu
I like Ajith as a person. He’s a genuine
and straightforward person. And I know him personally
for a long time. And I know Simbhu from his
Kaadal Azhivadillai days. We used to share tunes
with each other.
Ajith is a genuine and
straightforward person
I was nervous when my father
sang in my music
How
was it to make your dad sing in your music?
Was it difficult?
It
wasn’t particularly difficult but I was
nervous. He sang like any other singer would.
Tell us your favorite song among the songs you composed
There are favorite songs in all movies. Recently, in
Vettai I like the song Kattipudi.
Which part of Chennai
you like?
I love Chennai, particularly Marina beach and the coffee
shops.
