The audio launch of Santhanam’s Sakka Podu Podu Raja took place recently and it was a grand affair with noted film personalities such as Dhanush and Simbu gracing the event. Dhanush launched the album with which Simbu makes his debut as music composer in Tamil cinema.
Speaking at the event, Dhanush said, "When had finished recording the songs for the Sakka Podu Podu Raja album and Simbu invited me to attend the audio launch. And with an invite from my friend, I just couldn’t refuse.Though Simbu is acting from his childhood, he and I made our debut as hero in 2002. In fifteen years, we have shared our failures and success. He is multi-talented, I cannot dance like him. I used to go to the sets of Thulluvatho Ilamai without interest. At that point, I couldn’t dance well. The dance master used to quote Simbu’s dance as reference, Anyone can come to this industry and they can also taste success but staying on the top is difficult, Simbu has been here for fifteen years”.
On Dhanush making it to the event, Simbu said that he deserves a loud round of applause for being there despite his busy schedule. Simbu, speaking about his debut as music composer, said, “I thank God, industry, media friends and my fans. I am very happy to stand here as a music director. Music is something I really enjoy. I agreed to this film for Santhanam. I didn’t introduce Santhanam. I thought he is a good talent and wanted him to do well. He has proved that today. I’m very happy.”
Although the two stars called each other friends at the event, there have been rumours in the past about their enmity. A leaked audio of Simbu allegedly threatening Aishwarya Rajinikanth (who went on to marry Dhanush) for breaking up with him was doing the rounds although the legitmacy of the clip wasn't established. Simbu has also taken potshots at Dhanush through some of his films.
Simbu is currently going through a tough phase, with a red card from the Producers' Council for his alleged poor behaviour on the sets of Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan. Dhanush is a prominent voice in the industry and his public show of support for Simbu at this time has come as a surprise for many.
Music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja who has sung a song for Sakka Podu Podu Raja said, "When we used to work, Simbu used to keep exploring my keyboard and system for new sounds. Music is not new to Simbu. My song took 4-5 hours to record. It was quite an emotional moment to sing for him."
Santhanam, revealed that it is a "200 percent" commercial entertainer. Directed by Sethuraman, the film is produced by VTV Ganesh under his banner VTV Productions. Santhanam plays the lead role in the movie with Vaibhavi Shandilya as his lead pair. Others in the star cast include Vivek, Narayan Lucky, Sampath Raj, Aryan, VTV Ganesh, Papri Ghosh, Robo Shankar, Sanjana Singh, Srinivasan, Sharath Lohitashwa, Sethu, Daniel Annie Pope and Rajkumar. Simbu has composed music for this venture with Abinandhan Ramanujam wielding the camera and Anthony editing it. The film is slated for release on December 22nd.
(With inputs from Digital Native)