Billa is like James Bond: Yuvan - Times of India Article

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Billa 2 is like James Bond - Yuvan Shankar Raja TOI

The biggest challenge for a composer, especially if he has been part of an extremely successful film, is to come up with something even better for its follow-up. This stands true in the case of Yuvan Shankar Raja, who came up with an energetic score for Billa, and has now composed for its prequel Billa II. But Yuvan says that his approach to this project wasn't any different.

"I always go with my instinct with whatever film I'm working on. The Billa films are essentially gangster flicks and club songs and item numbers are what you naturally associate with such films. I have done the same but I have taken care to ensure that the film has a sound that is fresh but evocative of the original film at the same time," he says. Interestingly, the composer's personal favourite is the the sole melody Idhayam..., sung by Bollywood singer Shweta Pandit.

The theme music of Billa has been one of the most popular musical themes in recent times but Yuvan admits that his decision to recreate the same theme has not gone down well with some fans. "Some tweeted me asking why I had retained the same theme. But I see the films as a franchise similar to the James Bond films. So, even if there is a Billa III down the line, I will use this theme as it is symbolic of that character," justifies the composer.

According to Ashok Parwani of Sony Music, over one lakh CDs of the film have been sold until now. However, Yuvan admits that he is aware of the negative reviews but puts them to the fact that it is mostly because the sound is new. "People always lap up tunes that are familiar. So, when you suddenly give them something very new and different, they initially might not take to it. But, now, a couple of weeks after the music release, I have got fans who had initially told me that they were disappointed getting back to say that they were wrong."

Yuvan Shankar Raja Newspaper Article on 30-05-2012

Versatile Musician - Yuvan Shankar Raja

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Yuvan Malaysia Media Article

Yuvan Shankar Raja is planning to stage a concert in Malaysia.

TALENTED music director Yuvan Shankar Raja (pic) is on a roll, churning out hit after hit in the Tamil film industry.

The son of a music prodigy, Ilayaraja, he has mesmerised his fans with his youthful and soul-captivating music, be it his foot-tapping number Kadhal Website from Dheena or his hypnotising songs from Nandhaa.

The 30-Year-Old who has scored music for 85 films was in KualaLumpur for preliminary discussions for a Yuvan Live @ KLIMF Concert scheduled for December.  His two other concerts in Dubai and Chennai had been mega hits.

In an exclusive interview with The Star, Yuvan talked about how he started his career in the late 1990s by composing the music for a Tamil movie trailer at age 16.

"I was just spending time with my friends, doing nothing in particular when my mum thought I should work on an album".

"During my school days I used to participate in cultural programmes.  So I started working on the album and the director of the movie, Aravindhan, heard one of my songs and suggested that I do the soundtrack for the trailer of his movie that starred Sarath Kumar."

"So I worked on that project and everyone was impressed with my work.  After my dad gave the final nod, I made my debut as a music director," he said.

Yuvan said he was nervous as he had to start from scratch on the music for the film except for one song, which was already composed.

"The first song I composed was All The Best and my favourite song is Idhu Kadhala from Thulluvatho Ilamai," he said, adding that the music scene was very different when he started out.  He wanted to do something different.  "I came up with a style of my own and preferred to cater to only the youth.  My progress had been gradual, which helped me to believe in my kind of music," he said.

He became a household name with films like Kathal Kondein, 7G Rainbow Colony, Manmathan, Arindhum Ariyamalum while songs from Kalvanin Kathali, Pattiyal and Pudhupettai were all chartbusters.

Yuvan was adjudged best music director at the Cyprus International Film Festival in 2006 for his musical score in Raam.  He was the first and only Indian composer to win it.

"I felt elated as it is an international award.  It is a gift from God as the Raam album has my late mother's favourite song Aarariraro," sung by well-known singer Jesudas and my personal favourite Boom Boom, a hip hop number," he said.

He has won two Filmfare Awards - the Best Music Director Award in 2004 for his score in the film 7G Rainbow Colony and the Special Jury Award in 2009 for his Telugu musical Oy!.  Besides this, he received two nominations for the Filmfare Awards and one Tamil Nadu State Film Award in 2006.

He aspired to be a pilot when he was young so that he could travel the world, but with music all around him - brother Karthik Raja was learning to play the piano - he was naturally influenced.

On whether he felt burdened being from a family of music directors, he admitted to having great stress living up to people's expectations.

"Most of my songs are for the average youth," he said, adding that he composed the music based on the script as well as the storyline.

Yuvan said that many of the present day songs do not stay for long as they were done for commercial movies, unlike in the olden days when the songs were melodious and would always be sung.

On how long it takes to compose a song, he said it can be between two minutes and a month.

Presently, Yuvan is working on a prequel to Ajith starrer Billa 2 and Adhibhagavan.  Plans are afoot to release an international hip hop single with Shakira.

Stonevents Sdn Bhd managing director Inba M said they are planning the biggest-ever Indian concert in Kuala Lumpur if an agreement is reached.  "We hope to finalise the discussion by June and hope to make an announcement soon," he said.

Malaysia Media Article

Malaysia Media Article

Yuvan dances in Billa 2 - Deccan Chronicle Article

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Yuvan Shankar Raja Dances in Billa 2 - Deccan Chronicle Article

Thala's fans went berserk when Billa 2 teaser was released.  The latest buzz is that music composer Yuvan Shankar Raja has danced for a song in Billa 2.  He did it for Ajith and the number will be a real treat to Yuvan's fans.  The postproduction on full swing.  Cinematographer Rajasekar is working hard to set a unique colour tones to the film as the script travels through different shades in Billa's life.  Director of photography R.D. Rajasekar says, "Ajith provided whatever the script demanded.  I am currently working on base light software to enhance the colour of the film.  The amazing part of the film was Yuvan's rocking songs."  When asked if Yuvan has danced for a song, he says, "Yuvan has danced in one of the songs.  He has appeared and shaken his leg for a part of a song.  He did it with his own inimitable style."