I recently watched
the Kaaviyathalaivan audio launch telecast in Sun music.Words like "Ada
paavigala" ,"apdi lam maatividatheenga" , "romba buildup
venam" and many more coming from his mouth could surprise some of us.
Also, many times he gave nice 'counters' to the host 'Blade' Shankar. Probably
have never seen a more candid and relaxed AR Rahman :) . May be he was fed up
with all of his peers and his fans seeing him as a 'saintly' figure that he
badly wanted open up ! Amidst he describing the kind of effort that has gone
into this album, he also informed why he isn't teaming up with small-scale film
makers and is unlikely to do it in the
near future. His reason was that the moment he associates with such movies, the
movie would no longer remain 'small' and might lose it simplicity because of
the expectations its going to generate. In the worst case it could very well
backfire because of exceeding expectations. Well, there is some sense in
hindsight but if we take a deeper look, in my opinion I feel there is every
reason why Rahman should do a 'small' film
once in a while if not a lot. With almost every album of Rahman getting national or even perhaps even International exposure, small movies will have a massive face-lift !
Today's film
business is heavily dominated by 'Big' films that small films are finding it
extremely difficult to get released and even if they do they only get released
in miniscule number of theatres. Eventhough 'Thanga meengal' was Directed by
katradhu Thamizh fame Ram and produced by Gautham Menon it struggled to make it
to theatres. 'Big' films swallows almost all of the screens that there is no
way for 'small' films to get it released alongside. Once this is done, next
comes the medium tier movies invloving upcoming stars which gets released next
leaving a very small breathing space for small movies. Its people like AR
Rahman who can give a big push to these movies. "Kaaviya Thalaivan' itself
is now gearing up for a decent release thanks to music by A R Rahman ! This is
where I would like to bring Maestro Ilayaraaja. During his peak in 1980's , he
composed for at least 10 films a year and it was not just for
Rajni,Kamal,Mohan,Mani Ratnam ,Bharathiraja ,etc. He would have worked for a
whole lot of new film makers ! People
used to come theatres just for that one NAME. Likewise Rahman committing to a
small movie obviously is going to create an interest to the audience. I hope
Rahman understands this especially in an era where small movies are limping. He
need not say 'Yes' to all but he can do atleast one such film in a year or two.
All the Big films automatically generate hype and going to earn back the
investment because of its heavy weight star cast even if the movie is going to
be bad. But as we all know most of the small movies hardly break even despite
being too good. An 'A.R Rahman' factor could pave a huge way in bringing a
lease of life for these movies. I hope
Rahman realizes it and does not see as a ‘gamble’ for supporting small
movies. Many of the big films for which
he has tuned has gone out a whimper like Azhagiya Tamizh Magan,Kadal . Movies
like Mariyaan and Raavanan too did not fare well at the box office. So, I don’t
see any harm that Rahman is going to do(as he thinks) in accepting small movies.
