Maestro ilaiyaraaja news & titbits

**jaiganes** · 2nd April 2012, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by aakarsh

One right (read as commercially viable) film and look at the media mileage. This kind of movie selection is what that was needed. Not just now. but since years.

I think it is more of movie selecting raaja and not the other way.. The people found their way to Prasad studios only now.. All these days he was like a vallalaar saying "Kadayai virithen Kolvaarillai" (meaning shop open no customers).

**Google Adsense** · 2nd April 2012 05:04 AM

**Gregorysab** · 2nd April 2012, 07:32 AM

Jaiganes

That has been a case anyway. But Raaja saying "Yes" when such a commercially viable opportunity beckoned him is also a matter of important choice right. He has, at times, rejected some of the important/viable films & took up even some of the most ridiculous/irrelevant films. In recent years, Jaganmohini and Kadhal Kathai stand as good examples. Ofcourse, Jaganmohini had couple of good numbers! but imagine, none of his films made news particularly for the importance he was giving for the music - like recording in London. Dhoni managed to make news because Prakash Raj ensured that by constantly talking about Live Recording. Here, Gautham Menon was NOT speaking much about the kind of music, except for posting photographs - which itself are source material for newspapers. Something like this never happened before, atleast after Hey! Ram. Getting him to say Yes for a film is a tricky proposition. Nobody can decode what works in mind in favour or against a film. That explains his weirdest choices of films, right from 80s. Matter of Pure luck for any producer!

**raja_fan** · 2nd April 2012, 09:20 AM

// But Raaja saying "Yes" when such a commercially viable opportunity beckoned him is also a matter of important choice right. He has, at times, rejected some of the important/viable films & took up even some of the most ridiculous/irrelevant films. //

Perfect Aakarsh !
I was thinking I am alone here.
IR has changed a lot in the last couple of years - more cheerful , more flexible etc.
While many of the fans here want to project him as an enlightened one who doesn't care about how world views him, I still believe he has become more conscious of his "declining" position in the "market" in the last 10-15 years and that change is for good !

**kiru** · 2nd April 2012, 01:47 PM

"I still believe he has become more conscious of his "declining" position in the "market" in the last 10-15 years" - This has not prevented me from enjoying many of his works in the past 10-15 years whereas I could care less about many songs of so called commercially successful MDs. Many successful directors have a good sense of music and are able to extract good tunes from MDs. But IR has given hit tunes even otherwise. We will see what happens with this movie.

**Gregorysab** · 2nd April 2012, 02:23 PM

Kiru,

None of the factors - be it his market position or his choice of films - ever prevented most of us from enjoying his works. So thats a given anyway.

But I am not sure if IR has given "HIT" tunes otherwise. Because a lot of his albums have not been HITs, which ties to the "market position". I am not talking about musical worth (which we all dig in and enjoy), but about pure commerce - the numbers in the market, which dictate the game. I feel it is only fans who enjoy his music and general public enjoy only when the songs are "Hits". I dont know about the environment in Tamil Nadu - but in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Rama Rajyam is a "HIT" album while "Gaayam-2" is not a Hit (comparatively). Gaayam-2 was largely confined to fan-bases while Rama Rajyam captured the whole general audience. And "Om Shanti" was a flop (i mean, general people did not even try it, even after publicizing it as Raaja's music).

In the same way, if I look at tamil Nadu... purely from what I read on social media (hence my opinion might be skewed and incomplete).. i dont think his azhagar Malais, Jaganmohinis, Mathiya chennais, Dhanams & Kannukkules are "Hits" as such (although I liked many songs from all these). A Naan Kadavul *probably* registered among audience. I dont know about Nandalaala. Did it cross fan-base? I felt Valmiki had lot of potential to be a "HIT" but i dont know if it was.. out there in Tamil Nadu.

In Malayalam, again, I have little knowledge. Any idea if Sneha Veedu swept the state, musically? Like Achuvinte Amma (about which I still listen good things from some general-audience-keralites I meet at times).

That brings me to a key question. Which was the last Raaja album that was a super hit... where it impressed not just fans, but general public, media and just about everyone? In telugu, it is Rama Rajyam for sure. In tamil? Is it Oru Naal oru Kanavu (because i see even non-raaja-preference people remembering Kaatril Varum Geethame)?? Just wondering!

**raja_fan** · 2nd April 2012, 03:12 PM

Aakarsh,

I can't help again appreciating you for your latest post.
You have nicely put with examples for "hits" versus "fans' favorites".
A film with IR's music is not made for just IR's fans. It is made for general public at large. This is very important. Directors may love IR, we fans may love him, but the public has to love his songs ( I mean the latest ). No way blaming the public for all their deranged music taste etc.

**Gregorysab** · 2nd April 2012, 04:55 PM

raja_fan,

Thanks! I believe that this GVM film can be a good *luck factor* for raaja. I dont want to say "GVM film is a good opportunity", because I think Raaja's music is more valuable than GVM's film (for me). but then, market forces act differently and for market (producers, stakeholders), it is the opposite. But in all, we have to admit this film has generated excitement and the success of its music will dictate lot of things in the market. If it succeeds spectacularly, chances are that few other producers might want to cash in on that and rope in raaja. heck, even GVM *might* repeat (though he did not repeat ARR) IR in his subsequent films.
Simple statistics: How much of the general audience waited for a valmiki or any of his recent films (except for SRR, Paa)? But now, many people are waiting for this film's music.

If this one clicks, a lot can happen.

**raja_fan** · 2nd April 2012, 05:05 PM

Yes.
A lot would have already happened if only IR had welcomed Mani Ratnam and Rajni when they wanted to come back and sought IR's acceptance..

**SoftSword** · 2nd April 2012, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by aakarsh

raja_fan,

Thanks! I believe that this GVM film can be a good *luck factor* for raaja. I dont want to say "GVM film is a good opportunity", because I think Raaja's music is more valuable than GVM's film (for me). but then, market forces act differently and for market (producers, stakeholders), it is the opposite. But in all, we have to admit this film has generated excitement and the success of its music will dictate lot of things in the market. If it succeeds spectacularly, chances are that few other producers might want to cash in on that and rope in raaja. heck, even GVM *might* repeat (though he did not repeat ARR) IR in his subsequent films.
Simple statistics: How much of the general audience waited for a valmiki or any of his recent films (except for SRR, Paa)? But now, many people are waiting for this film's music.

If this one clicks, a lot can happen.

just in case if u r not aware, ARR is doing the music for GVM's next Yohan.

**Gregorysab** · 2nd April 2012, 05:46 PM

SoftSword,

I didnt know that. hmm! In that case - Is NEPV a film with raaja's music forming the premise/character in the film? (going by the promos). Curious!