With Vinay Rajkumar headlining the film, which has Monisha Vijaykumar making her debut, Vijay’s third directorial turns its gaze to an unseen Bengaluru, beginning its journey with a raw, rap-driven track sung by Ankit Kumar and composed by Charan Raj.

With City Lights, director Vijay Kumar returns to a terrain that has long defined his storytelling. Raw, emotional, and rooted in lived experiences, especially of a Bengaluru that often goes unnoticed, hinting at a film that captures the lives that struggle beneath its lights.

This marks Vijay’s third directorial after Salaga and Bheema, but this time, he places Vinay Rajkumar at the centre, alongside Monisha Vijaya Kumar, marking her debut.

Having completed its shoot, the film begins its musical journey with 'Baava Baava', a track that captures the pulse of the streets and offers a glimpse into the world Vijay is shaping.

At the centre of 'Baava Baava' is rapper Ankit Kumar, who has written and sung the rap song. His voice carries an unfiltered, local energy that sits comfortably within the film’s narrative. “They had heard my earlier work and reached out. I never imagined I would get a chance like this from Vijay sir,” he says, reflecting on the unexpected break.

Composer Charan Raj brings intensity to the track while staying true to its emotional core. For him, Vijay’s involvement became a guiding force. “Vijay always comes with a clear sense of what he wants from a song. He does give a lot of input, and since I am not the story writer, whatever comes from the director helps us. That clarity pushes the composition in the right direction,” Charan explains.

For Vijay, rap becomes more than a stylistic choice. “Rap has always been a form where people speak about their struggles. In City Lights, I am trying to talk about a certain kind of pain, and this song carries that emotion,” he says.

City Lights follows two individuals who move from a village to Bengaluru, only to confront the realities of survival in a fast-paced, indifferent city. With the tagline Javabdaari… Deepagalu, the film, reflects responsibility and fragile hope.

Backed by cinematographer Shivasena, editor Deepu S Kumar, dialogue writer Masti, and music by Charan Raj, the film is produced by Vijay Kumar and Vikram Arya under the Duniya Talkies and Yantrouddharaka banner.

I have never carried the baggage of legacy: Vinay Rajkumar

For Vinay Rajkumar, the film is as much about the music as it is about the experience of collaboration. “I had asked Charan sir for one strong track, but he has given us the best. The film has five tracks, and all of them are good. City Lights will be engaging. I had an excellent learning experience working with director Vijaya Kumar. And Monisha, in her first film, has done well,” he says.

The actor, apart from City Lights, has also wrapped up Gramayana, and is taking a measured approach to his career. “It is important to do good films that together contribute to the industry. Releases are taking time, and I do not want films to pile up. I am waiting for these two films to release,” he explains.

On carrying a great legacy, Vinay remains grounded. “I enjoy my individuality as an actor. I have never carried the baggage of legacy, and I do not carry the baggage of myself either,” he adds.

Working with my father was an eye-opener: Monisha Vijay Kumar

For Monisha Vijaya Kumar, City Lights is both a debut and a deeply personal journey. “Working on this film, especially alongside Vinay Rajkumar, has been a learning curve. I have learned a lot,” she says.

A self-confessed admirer of Charan Raj’s music, she adds, “I have been a huge fan of his work. I sat through the composition process. ‘Baava Baava’ uses very local words, and I really enjoyed that.”

Working under her father’s direction gave her a unique perspective. “It felt like home. There will be a time when I have to find my individuality, but working under my father gave me a whole new experience,” she shares.

The film also served as an eye-opener for understanding the city it portrays. “My father took me to different parts of Bengaluru and showed me places connected to the story. It was an eye-opening experience,” Monisha says.