Conversations in a car

The column takes a glimpse at the type of movie conversations that occur during the course of a Taxi ride
Conversations in a car

You become privy to all sorts of conversations when you are forced to select the Uber Pool option. Recently, when I was in a grey Innova, the song playing was Oru Vidha Aasai from Maari. Midway through the song, a conversation ensued between two men—the young driver and an old passenger—in the car.
 
Old man: The song is peppy. The music director is... what's his name?
 
Young driver: It’s Anirudh.
 
Old man: Yes, yes, Anirudh. He’s the same boy who did the Kolaveri song, no?
 
Young driver: Yes sir. His songs keep us fresh when we drive long distances at night.
 
Old man: But we are now driving in the day, right? (laughs) 
 
The song changes to Enna Solla Edhu Solla from Thangamagan.
 
Old man: This is a very good melody, I say. Sounds like our M S Vishwanathan or Ilaiyaaraja. Idhukku yaaru music?
 
Young driver: (with pride) Anirudh again.
 
Old man: Wow, the boy reminds me of Rahman, the way he scores music without losing the importance of the melody. Rahman's best songs are all melody-based. (Notices the driver looking unconvinced) You don't believe me? Listen to New York Nagaram or Yen Veetu Thottathil. (Begins singing) 
 
Young driver: Er, yes, yes. 
 
The song changes to Aalumaa Dolumaa from Vedhalam. Clearly, the driver’s a big fan of Anirudh. Just as he expects the old passenger to ask him to change the song…
 
Old man: This is that Ajith song, no? This boy sang it himself? Like how he sang in Shankar's movie, I? Adhaan paa... Now, Vijay's film also has that title?
 
Young driver (bewildered that the old man has somehow connected Ajith, Vijay and Vikram all in one sentence): Mersal sir... 
 
Old man: This Dolumaa song could've been sung by Deva, but this Anirudh sings well. Again, like Rahman, he seems to have a good voice.
 
A song from Kaththi plays, and then one more from Maari. And then, one of my favourites, Boomi Enna Suththuthe from Ethir Neechal.
 
Old man: Hmm, I like how you can hear the lyrics n this boy’s compositions. These days, the music album becomes popular before the release, right? What was the name of that English song in Ajith’s film, Vivegam?
 
Young driver: Surviva
 
Old man: Why don’t they just pronounce the word properly? It should be s-u-r-v-i-v-o-r, you know. Sometimes, I feel that some of these new songs do not have the soothing effect of songs from the black and white era. But I guess you can't live in the past, right?
 
Young driver: But I like MGR sir...
 
Old man: (quickly) I am a Sivaji fan. But given your age, I guess I should ask if you're a Vijay or Ajith fan?
 
Young driver: I like them both. As long as their film is good.
 
Old man: (on a tangent) A music director’s role is very important in shaping the popularity of a mass hero, I feel. That Mersal intro-song, Aalaporaan Thamizhan... have you heard it? 
 
Young driver: Yes sir. I can’t wait to watch it on screen. Avangalukku theriyum sir (in reference to the makers). They know that Rahman has terrific reach. Some of us drivers still like to play on repeat mode the songs he has composed for Rajinikanth.
 
The old man nodded his head in deep understanding. The young driver too fell silent, as the focus shifted to the music. More Anirudh hits played out, more filmy ‘wisdom' was exchanged. When it was my turn to get down, the car was playing, Ennai Maatrum Kaadhaley from Naanum Rowdy Dhaan, and the men were again engaged in deep conversation.

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