Mani Ratnam defends use of English lyrics in Tamil songs amid criticism from Anurag Kashyap

Filmmaker Mani Ratnam has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding the use of more English lyrics in Tamil cinema songs, directly responding to recent criticisms from director Anurag Kashyap. The Black Friday filmmaker has publicly stated that the trend of bilingual music in South Indian cinema "didn't make sense at all".

Mani Ratnam's comments, made during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, come as he promotes his next film, Thug Life, featuring a track titled ‘Sugar Baby’ with prominent English lyrics. The acclaimed director emphasised that creative choices, rather than rigid rules, guide his decisions on song composition.

"You don't go in with rules saying, 'I will do only this,'" Ratnam stated. "If it feels right, then you take that step which feels right for you. Why box yourself in with some false grammar?"

The Thug Life director, known for his deep respect for Tamil and its long-standing legacy—often showcased in his collaborations with AR Rahman—maintained that there is ample room for stylistic diversity. "If sometimes you need a 'Sugar Baby' and it feels right, then you go for it," he added.

He further dismissed the notion that lyrics in English are merely a ploy to attract younger viewers. "That alone doesn't make a product. Just trying to be young and cool is not enough," the filmmaker asserted, explaining that authenticity, not fleeting trends, resonates with audiences. He stressed that all stylistic choices have to ultimately catering to the film's narrative and characters.

When addressing the challenge of staying relevant to younger generations, Mani Ratnam drew a parallel to writing regarding unfamiliar subjects. "If you have to write a script based on mafia people, you've never been one. But you still write films based on that," he mused.

Mani Ratnam is currently on a promotional tour for Thug Life, which reunites him with Kamal Haasan 38 years after Nayakan. The film’s ensemble cast also includes Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Nasser, and Ashok Selvan, among others.