Mickey, who shot to fame with 'Kottha Bangaru Lokam', is hardly media-savvy. In this rare interview days before the release of 'Mister', the talented musician takes tough questions with ease!

How was it working with a commercial director like Sreenu Vaitla?

I am very happy to have worked with a star director like Sreenu Vaitla. This is my second film with Varun Tej, who moves along more like a friend. He is very cool and doesn't have airs. It was Nallamalapu Bujji garu, who was one of the producers of 'Mukunda', who recommended my name to the director. That's how I landed this film. 'Mister' is a commercial, complete package.

Why are you not seen giving interviews as often as you others?

I have never mingled easily with people. I don't move among industry people much even now. Earlier, it was even lesser that I used to interact with the media. It's because I didn't have fluency in Telugu. I can converse in Telugu now.

After a super hit musical like 'KBL', why were you not seen for a couple of years?

After 'Kottha Bangaru Lokam', I had to take a sabbatical of three years because my father was not keeping well. The state of mind of a music director has to be good for him to give his best.

Your critics say that the sound of your songs is the same, with rare exceptions. What's your reply?

I do hear comments that my tunes come across as already having been listened to in a previous film of mine. As a music director, I know that I have always given fresh tunes. Since the rhythm is somewhat similar, may be people have a feeling that they have already listened to it.

I don't think in terms of No. 1 and the like. My only concern is to give the output that my director is looking for. And it must be enjoyable to the listeners.

Your music for 'Brahmotsavam' was very good, but it didn't receive the appreciation it deserved as the film was a flop. Your take?

It pained me to see 'Brahmotsavam' getting trolled so badly on social media. We all make team efforts to produce entertainment.

What are your future plans?

I have signed up the biopic on Mahanati Savitri. My music for the movie will be period music-like. And I have another film in the banner of Dil Raju garu.

Southern music is in my blood. The folk music of Telangana and Andhra have impacted me. I want to do a folkish album. But that will take time. I also want to enlist AR Rahman sir to sing a song for my musical. I did try my best to get him sing a song in 'Leader', but it didn't work.