Sai Kartheek is one of the most sought-after directors in Tollywood. Known for dishing out songs in a jiffy, he has composed music for 50 movies, including BGM for about 15 movies, even as about half-a-dozen movies are in the pipeline in the coming months. In this exclusive interview to IndiaGlitz, Sai talks about a range of issues.

You have composed for 50 movies in a short span. How could you do that?

It was possible because I did all movies, whether big or small, these eight years. I have composed music for about 30 Telugu movies, 5 Kannada movies, besides scoring BGM for about 15 movies. Even I am surprised.

If asked about your top five albums of yours, which ones will you say?

Paisaa, Rowdhy, Prathinadhi, Pataas, Raju Gaari Gadhi, Asura, Supreme, Eedo Rakam Aado Rakam, and now Raja Cheyyi Vesthe.

Thaman opines that scoring for commercial movies is very difficult. Do you feel the same?

Yes, it's true. The difference between me and Thaman is that he has composed for a lot of big-ticket movies. On the other hand, I got to experiment because of directors like RGV, who likes raw type of songs, and films like Asura. I have also got to compose for full-on commercial movies like Pataas. Thaman himself once told me that I get to compose for all types of movies, which gives me scope to experiment.

So, how did your journey begin?

I started off as a drummer. I eventually went on to work under the likes of Anandh, Koti, Vasu Rao, Mani Sharma, DSP. After my debut film Call Centre, I haven't looked back.

Audience remember you more for your BGM. Why do you think so?

Yes, it's true. I got this image for the first time after Paisaa. I have since been appreciated for the BGM in films like Rowdy, Prathinidhi, etc. As they found that my BGM elevates the senes, they are choosing me film after film.

You have done a couple of Remix songs. How has the experience been?

Doing a remix is always a director's thought (in my case). The worry while doing a remix is that one shouldn't disappoint the fans. In the past, some such attempts to remix a hit song have backfired. One should make the best efforts to retain the flavour of a hit song while doing a remix, as the fans would have heard the song hundreds of times. My remixes like Arey o samba, Swathi muthyapu jallula lo, Andam hindolam have been a big plus.

The current trend is that tune is composed first and lyrics are written later. Is this for good?

Most of the songs follow this trend. But there are also cases where the lyrics are written first. Speaking for myself, I ask for the lyrics for difficult situations, for example, for the song Epudaithe puttindo in Paisa. In Rowdy, I followed this trend for three of the songs.

What has changed?

Where are situational songs in commercial movies, nowadays? If there is a content-driven song situation, going for the lyrics first would make sense.

Coming to Raja Cheyyi Vesthe, did you take any special care?

Due to Sai Korrapati garu's encouragement and the budget, I could give better output. We could go for a full-on LIVE orchestra.

How come you get to work with Nara Rohit more than a few times?

My style is in full sync with Nara Rohit's. The BGM for Prathinidhi and Asura came out very well. Normally, if a combination works more than once, there is a tendency for more such combinations.

Why is it that recording is done in Chennai often?

It's because of the availability of talent there. We don't have many violin artists, for example, here. We can't bring Sarangi, Dilruba players from Chennai. But otherwise, things are going well in Hyderabad, too. There are good number of players of trumpets here.

What about encouraging local talent?

Yes, I encourage a lot of local talent. Depending on the director's preference, I go for one budding singer and one established singer for a song. At the end of the day, everything depends on the director's taste.

Who was the inspiration for you to become a music director?

Three musicians: Maestro Illaiyaraja, AR Rahman, and Mani Sharma. I like all of Maestro's songs. As for Rahman, the number Pedave palikina from Nani is my all-time favourite. And Mani garu is like a Guru. I got the drift to score commercial music from him.

Even after 50 movies, you haven't composed for a superstar. Is that regret?

I am biding my time. Even though I haven't composed for a big star, I have worked for big banners like Dil Raju's, Super Good, AK Entertainments, Vaarahi, etc. I think, this will be followed up by big stars next.

What are your upcoming movies?

After Raja Cheyyi Vesthe, Supreme is readying up for release. Later, it's Appatlo Okadundevadu. I have 4-5 movies in the pipeline.