When you’re asked to croon one of south India’s most awaited films, it’s nothing short of a bombaat feeling. Namma rapper Karthik Gubbi is thrilled to have crooned the anthem for the much-awaited Dear Comrade Kannada version starring Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Devarakonda. Gubbi, who recorded the song, as well as performed it a few days ago at the Dear Comrade Music festival, says, “I got a call from the music director Justin Prabhakaran’s associate and he told me that they needed a Kannada rapper for the song. Apparently, Charan raj had referred my name to them. I flew in the same day to Chennai and did an overnight recording. And after I got back, I was invited to the film’s music festival where the stars are travelling to different cities to promote the film.”
The song, which is an anthem for the movie starring the hit jodi of Vijay and Rashmika will be out soon.
“The track has a mass appeal and is an energetic one. I didn’t get to meet the music director Justin, but the people at the studio and the event treated me really well. I got to interact with the lead cast too,” says Gubbi, who even got a picture with the gorgeous Rashmika.
Interestingly, Gubbi’s previous project was one which staunchly supported the queer movement. A song called Maaya, the project was a collaboration with Sanjeev Thomas and Maya the Drag Queen. “The song’s video portrays a day in the life of a transgender woman - the kind of things she faces is shown realistically. When you watch it, you will realise that at some point, you too have judged them for who they are. It’s not easy to be themselves and for someone who’s born like that, it’s a tough life,” he states.
The artiste’s other projects showcase the fact that rappers are indeed getting noticed by the film industry that’s using their talent effectively. Apart from doing a movie called Malgudi Days, the songster has two other films in his kitty. “I have a single coming out in a month’s time and I’m glad that a couple of my songs got played on BBC Asia network recently. I’ve also co-directed a track called Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya with Madhura Gowda,” says Gubbi, who’s someone who gathers inspiration from things he sees around him.
His idols have mainly been conscious hip-hop artistes including J Cole. “I listen to a lot of his work which gives out a message - that’s the kind of stuff that inspires me. An artiste is at his best when he’s honest. When it comes to other projects, I did an ad for Vraun Dhawan and I’m doing other ads too.
Advertisements get me out of my comfort zone as I have to be spontaneous and that’s a different experience altogether,” says Gubbi, whose other unique talent is rapping in German. “I learnt the language and my teacher thought rapping in it is a fun way to learn,” he signs off.
