Ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam's Ponniyin Selvan: 2 featuring music composed by Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman is less than a week away from its grand worldwide theatrical release on April 28. With promotions already underway, the blockbuster duo recently came together for an exclusive interview with National Award-winning film critic Baradwaj Rangan, the Editor-in-Chief of Galatta Plus, to discuss about the journey on getting the epic historical action adventure film adapted from acclaimed Tamil writer Kalki Krishnamurthy's books of the same name. During the interview, both A. R. Rahman and Mani Ratnam also discussed the approach for the background score of both Ponniyin Selvan films, including their plans for their release.
Speaking about the popularity of background scores in recent years, A. R. Rahman stated, "These days they've started liking the score and not just songs. They are into the scores." He further added, "They're waiting for the PS: 1 and PS: 2 (background scores). We're compiling it. Maybe as a vinyl record score release. He never liked releasing scores because he was disappointed when his score was used for something else. For TV serials or without credit. And, now they do everything. They change even the faces, they anything, but there are fans who want to listen." Mani Ratnam quipped, "I think these days the fan following for scores have really expanded."
Regarding any differences in the the approach of Rahman for the background score over the years, Mani Ratnam said, "I think he's going more and more into it and I think he always liked scores. And, in my opinion, I think he gets very triggered by the visuals. The moment it is there in front of him is what you know triggers him very strongly. And, that Thiruda Thiruda score was something fantastic. His Roja score was outstanding. So, I think now he's telling a story even more. It's not just a score, but with PS for example, it's like a storytelling exercise. Right through whatever scene you have, in addition, it's another layer that is coming out. It's fantastic."
Watch Mani Ratnam and A. R. Rahman talk about the Ponniyin Selvan background scores below:
