On the stairway to musical heaven

As a big hue and cry continues to be made over Bollywood singers being approached to croon for Kannada films, Vasu Dixit of Swarathma fame has made a conscious effort to rope in local singers to lend voice to his first Kannada film assignment.

“I find recognising local talent a better idea than simply paying lakhs of rupees to outsiders, more so when our people are equally good,” says Vasu.

The musician has also made it a point to use live instruments and performing artistes including members of popular bands such as Advaita and Thermal And A Quarter. Many singers, including Vasu, will even be featured in a track from the film.

“There are five songs of which I have sung two. I enjoyed composing music for the film as I was given a lot of creative freedom,” adds Vasu.

And how different was composing music for films? “Well, I have been a student of filmmaking and this helped me understand the way a film team works. Abilash Lakra and I composed the music together for over a period of one and a half months and we had great fun,” he says.

The audio launch of the film was held over the weekend in a very unique fashion. Over 500 people were selected to attend the programme which was in the form of a treasure hunt. The clues led to the place where superstar Upendra was hidden.

The winner not only got to free Uppi and launch the audio along with him but also walked away with a music system. And for those of you who weren’t there, more prizes remain to be won.

“We have given newspaper advertisements that look like crossword puzzles and have asked people to find the name of the film that is hidden there. We have received 30,000 entries already and 1,400 entrants have managed to crack the puzzle,” says director of the film, Maduchandra.

The winner will be awarded Rs10,000 on the day of the release.
The cast has also not been revealed. “People will have to come to the theatres to see them. In fact, we are soon releasing a music video but we’ve ensured that their faces have not been revealed there either. It is a very different concept,” adds Maduchandra. The story of his film is also equally fresh, he claims.

“It is a love story and is filled with real experiences including that of mine,” he signs off not wanting to reveal anything more.

The film is set for a July release.