Sai Abhyankkar has been continuously basking in the limelight with his foot-tapping singles and scores for films with top stars. But the young composer-singer got the surprise and shock of his life when he got a call from RJ Balaji and the team of Karuppu to score music for their film, taking over from AR Rahman, who exited the project due to reasons unknown. Sai, who has previously worked with the noted composer, revealed that AR Rahman was fine with him taking over the reigns of scoring music for the action entertainer.
"Initially, I didn't know that he was part of the project," shared Sai Abhyankkar, in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India. "Suddenly, I got a call from my mentor, they shared the surprise with me that I am going to work on Suriya sir's film. I was shocked. Then, I went back to see the initial posters which had Rahman sir's name. I wanted to know what happened, but didn't get any clear answers. But if the producers, RJ Balaji and Suriya wanted me to do, then it is my duty to fulfil it," he added, underlining that he wanted to prove his talent.
Further, Sai said he spoke to AR Rahman on composing music for Karuppu. "He was okay with that. He has a 'God aura' around him. He is generous and giving. That is truly inspiring for me," he said.
Elsewhere in the interview, Sai spoke highly of the Academy award-winning composer, sharing that he has deeply learnt the quality of "patience" from him. "He will be going through a hundred problems, but he will look and be peaceful. When I was working on a cue for Pathu Thala (2023), he suddenly came in, listened to it and said, 'Hey it is superb'. It took me six months to come out of that praise. I never imagined to work with that legend," he said, noting how his repeated encouragements during the making of the Silambarasan-starrer, made him feel ecstatic. "I can never forget those days," he added.
Karuppu, which is slated to release on May 14, features Trisha as the female lead, reuniting her with her Aaru (2005) co-star Suriya. The supporting cast includes Yogi Babu, acclaimed Malayalam actor Indrans, Sshivada, Lubber Pandhu fame Swasika, Natty, Supreeth Reddy, and Anagha Maya Ravi. The director is also playing a cameo role in the film.
The teaser for the film revealed that Suriya will play a lawyer called Saravanan, a nod to his original name. Released in July last year, it presented Suriya in a 'mass' avatar. Set in a rural backdrop, he is looked at as a saviour, an almost deity-like who delivers justice to commonfolk.
Cinematographer GK Vishnu, editor R Kalaivanan, production designer Arun Venjaramoodu, and stunt choreographers Anbariv and Vikram Mor, round out the crew of Karuppu.
