Namma ooru cinemapayyan turns singer

When he is not reviewing films, he is an RJ with a popular radio station, a sports commentator, acting in a film, and hopefully finding some time to go on a honeymoon with his new bride. (Pssssst! Somebody tell McGonagall I think he has a time turner!) Just when you think you are done perusing this boy’s long list of achievements, he decides to add another one to the list, that of a playback singer.  

Loosu, a song from the movie MaMa KiKi, has been making waves. I called Abi to find out all about it. “The song comes at a crucial point in the film. It is the character’s hallucinations, so the song has psychedelic influences. 

Kala Charan, the music director, wanted someone who could sing and growl kind of like death metal. I found the concept different and interesting. I review music and if I sang a song it needed to be good, especially since I come from a family with a musical background. 

I play the mridangam and other percussion instruments. I have a diploma from KM Music Conservatory. So, I made the choice to be part of a good song. There isn’t a huge reference point for this kind of music in Tamil cinema, it’s quite new and I’m hoping people see it with the visuals. Anirudh released it and paid me a huge compliment and I’m very grateful,” he said with excitement.  

When asked how all of this happened he said, “Scoring for films is something I have always wanted to do along with my friend Bharath. We had written, co-composed and sung a song that people in the industry had heard. I had met with Kala Charan earlier and he called me mid-way through my wedding prep. I have to thank my wife for understanding my passion and supporting me in all my endeavours.” 

He added, “I am a Cinemapayyan at the end of the day and I love every aspect of this industry and would love to try it all. I will always do celeb interviews, film appreciation/criticism no matter what I undertake. My motto in life is to make money for survival and have fun while doing it. After all, it’s one life.”