The trailer of the Salman Khan-starrer Radhe, released a couple of days ago, received a thunderous response. The biggest attraction was the glimpse of the Seetimaarr song. The blockbuster number was originally composed by Devi Sri Prasad (DSP) for the film Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), starring Allu Arjun. He has recreated the song with the same fizz, but on a bigger scale, for Radhe.
Apparently, Radhe director Prabhudeva was on the lookout for a kickass song for a particular situation in the film, and asked DSP to come up with something interesting. “I suggested Seetimaarr to Prabhudeva master. He listened to the number and was impressed. He showed it to Salman, who personally asked me to recompose the song for their film. I was more than happy to oblige,” reveals DSP.
In fact, DSP had always wanted to recreate the song in Hindi. “Since ‘Seetimaarr’ itself is a Hindi word, I thought it would gel with the situation and context of the film. After listening to the final mix, Salman was very impressed with the number. He called me a couple of weeks back and said the song sounds terrific,” shares an elated DSP. The full song will be released soon.
While the Hindi version of Seetimaarr is not exactly a redux, DSP says the essence of the original song has been retained. “I have recreated the entire song to suit Salman’s image whilst retaining its soul,” the composer explains. “Lyricists from Mumbai flew down to Chennai, and we had a few sittings. I went to Mumbai for the recording session.”
Prabhudeva invited DSP to drop in on the sets of the film in Mumbai. “I had a great time on the sets, and the song was beautifully shot,” he enthuses.
This is not the first time that DSP has composed for a Hindi film. Salman Khan had asked him to recreate the music of one of his super hit Telugu songs (Ringa Ringa from Arya 2) for his film Ready (2011).
“Salman had heard my Ringa Ringa song in a club. He said he was instantly hooked to the peppy tune and asked me if I could recreate it. I came up with Dinka Chika,” reveals DSP. Asserting that Salman has a great ear for music, the composer says “Whatever song Salman asks to be recreated will be a blockbuster; he has great taste in music.”
DSP finds Salman great company, and reveals that the actor gives him inputs and shares his thoughts about music. Salman had also once asked him to compose a song for Jai Ho, he says. “I have composed for the heroine-oriented number, a blend of different genres of music. While we were discussing music, Salman introduced me to his mother, and she made pakodas for us,” beams DSP.
The composer says he was surprised that several Bollywood filmmakers are familiar with his work. “Whenever I am introduced to any filmmaker, they say they know my body of work and sing my songs. They say Bollywood loves my music. It’s a different experience; it gives me great satisfaction,” he shares, while thanking the south audience for making his numbers big hits.
A couple of years back, the makers of the Akshay Kumar-starrer Housefull 4 released a trailer of the film. The trailer which featured the score of the super-hit Telugu number, Ammadu… Let’s do Kummudu, composed by DSP for the film, Khaidi No: 150 (2017).
Refuting the rumours that had circulated at that time, that the Housefull 4 filmmakers had lifted the tune, DSP says they had actually taken his permission to use the catchy song. “I was supposed to even compose a song, but couldn’t do it. I was glad about the response that the background music got,” says DSP, who is now gearing to sign films in Hindi.
Meanwhile, in an attempt to bring undiscovered musicians into the limelight, the composer is part of Rockstar, a reality music show in Tamil. DSP is the face of the show. “I am glad that I am getting street musicians to sing on stage at this show,” he says.
Some of Devi Sri Prasad's Bollywood compositions
Daddy Mummy song from Bhaag Johnny was originally composed for the film, Shankar Dada Zindabad, for the song Aakalesthe Annam Pedatha. Aa Ante Amalapuram song, from Maximum, was recreated in the film Arya, with the same lyrics, Aa Ante Amalapuram.
The original version of Salman Khan-starrer Dinka Chika number was scored for the Telugu film Arya 2, with the lyrics, Ringa Ringa.
The fusion number Naacho Re from Jai Ho, starring Salman Khan, was Devi Sri Prasad's original compositions.
