The other day, we reported about GV Prakash winning Best Composer at the 71st National Film Awards for his songs in Vaathi, featuring Dhanush and Samyuktha as the protagonists. It marked the composer's second win at the National Film Awards. Earlier, he won a national award for his background score in Soorarai Pottru (2020), which stars Suriya and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. This has put GV Prakash in a unique category of composers who have won National Awards for both songs and background scores—a prestigious list that includes Ilaiyaraaja and AR Rahman.
Ilaiyaraaja won National Film Awards for Best Music Direction for his work in the films Saagara Sangamam (1984), Sindhu Bhairavi (1986) and Rudra Veena (1989) as well as for Best Background Score for Pazhassi Raja (2009) and Tharai Thappattai (2016). On the other hand, Rahman won Best Music Direction for five films: Roja (1992), Minsara Kanavu (1996), Lagaan (2001), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), Kaatru Veliyidai (2017), and Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022). Rahman also won Best Background Score for Mom (2017), starring Sridevi, Sajal Aly and Akshaye Khanna in the lead roles.
Responding to the news, GV Prakash's longtime collaborator Dhanush said, "A special shoutout to my brother GV Prakash Kumar on winning his second National Award for Vaathi. This one makes me personally very happy, and I know the best is yet to come from him." The actor also said that he is looking forward to future collaborations with the composer.
