Composer Devi Sri Prasad Interview: On Pushpa 2, Pushpa: The Rampage, social media and reel culture, Kanguva’s criticism

For music composer Devi Sri Prasad, 2024 has been a whirlwind in his career. The musician ended the year on a high note, given how Pushpa: The Rule went on to become a blockbuster with songs trending on social media till now, given it’s been more than a month since its release.

“It is a great joy, and songs always live longer because of how accessible they are. Songs that have come even years before are still listened to now and that ever-green nature of music is something not all art forms might have. You can listen to songs almost anytime anywhere, and that way, I am blessed to be a musician,” says Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) in conversation with OTTplay.

Composer Devi Sri Prasad Interview: I wish there are more love songs and stories

While you take any of the DSP hit playlists on music streaming apps, it might contain a lot of fast-paced songs. Asked if the composer ever feels boxed for creating upbeat numbers that some of his melodies do not credit him enough, Devi Sri Prasad says, “Not at all, some of the melodious albums like Sachein, Bommarillu and even Mazhai have gained its due recognition. Even Srivalli song from Pushpa: The Rise was appreciated by many. Sooseki from Pushpa 2 is also a melody, which has been regarded as one of the best classics of recent times.”

Also read: Devi Sri Prasad on meeting Ilaiyaraaja: It was one of the most emotional moments of my life 

The musician says that his definition of what is fast and slow is different. “Just because it has got a fast beat or rhythm, it becomes a fast song. Some of the best soft songs have done with the strongest rhythms, and Michael Jackson is the best example of this. Moreover, it is always what is needed for the situation, as once said by Kamal Haasan sir. When we did Neela Vaanam from Manmadhan Ambu, it is a very slow song, but the same album also had a fast number like Oyyale too. I wish there are more love songs and stories, and scope for heart-touching music,” he adds.

Also read: Pushpa 2: Devi Sri Prasad reacts to backlash for Allu Arjun and Sreeleela's Kissik Hindi version; 'We wanted to...' 

“Even now I do not consider myself as a music composer”

In today’s world of Instagram and ‘reel’ification of content, Devi Sri Prasad says he does not take into consideration creating a hook only for that 15 seconds, while scoring a song. “We are doing a song for the film, and what is required for that situation. But having said that, I have been quite futuristic, given when I started doing music, I felt the need for the song to be catchy in the first 10-15 seconds. My take-off music has been catchy since I began working. That is what I follow so far and been thinking ahead of time I feel,” says DSP as he hums songs like Kissik, Pushpa and Kanmune from Sachein where the early lead-on for the songs are catchy.

“Even now I do not consider myself as a music composer. I go to theatres with a bunch of friends and team members to watch a film. That is when you have connectivity with films and why we celebrate that euphoria it gives us,” says DSP.

While he remains guarded about Pushpa 3/ Pushpa: The Rampage, the composer says very much like the title, it is going to be a rampage. “It will definitely be more than what you heard in Pushpa 1 and 2. We are yet to start on the works for the third part but will be more than what you see in the first two parts.”

On hate criticism: I see it as one-way traffic

DSP, who was much celebrated for Pushpa 2, was also heavily criticized for his work in Kanguva, the latest Suriya-starrer Tamil film. On how he takes criticism, the musician says, “I see it as one-way traffic, and keep doing what we do. We cannot read everything because firstly we don’t have time. And no matter what we do, some may like it and others don’t. In case you are my well-wisher, and there is something I have done wrong, you would tell me in person rather than calling me out on social media. Just because you comment on something, we cannot take it personally.”

Talking in detail, DSP says he had received much praise for the Manippu song from Kanguva and said the album is close to his heart. “A lot of Suriya sir fans had enjoyed and after the release, he had called me and talked for about 30 minutes. Sometimes a below-average film also becomes a hit and vice versa, but we should not get carried away and be self-aware. I am mature enough to understand the immaturity of others, and respect it.”

Revealing that much appreciation poured in after Kanguva hit the streaming platform, DSP says that he is proud of the film and cannot disown it just because of some negative reviews. “Failure and success is always a surprise factor and no one is genius enough to predict it. All of us worked hard for Kanguva and my respect goes to everyone who worked in it.”

DSP is now gearing up for the release of Thandel, starring Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, and Kubera with Dhanush. Anticipating the releases of these films, DSP signs off, “Thandel will give plenty of goosebumps with its soundtrack, while there are a lot of surprises in Kubera.”