Interview with MoneySharma

Music magician Manisharma is in USA for his concert. Last year he did a month long tour, which was a good success, this year Devi Jewelers and Ruchi foods sponsored the tour along with TANA. After the jet lag he spoke at a length about his films and music exclusive for our readers.
Sri: It’s good to see you back in USA. You have a great following here. How do you feel for the fan base in USA?

It’s great to know that I do have fans here. I think I am the only music director who performed at both ATA and TANA ceremonies consequently so far. And I am glad about this and equally excited. This tour actually was supposed to start last month. The guys of Devi Jewelers whom I met last year became good friends to my family. They arranged the tour to launch the Ruchi foods. As the TANA also wants me to perform in their function, we postponed the program for a month to club both of them. Jagadish who was with us last year program is handling the media this year for the programs.

Sri : What is the uniqueness of this year’s concert?

Generally, for outside programs, non-filmy orchestra is hired. And use singers who don’t have film background. But in the case of my concert, we are having the complete orchestra who actually works for my films and also well-known singers like Mallikarjuna, Sunita, Karunya, Vinodbabu, Gangadhar and Vijayalaxmi to name a few are singing for us. For Chicago show Sunil is also coming. Directors Srinu Vaitla and Mehar Ramesh (director of NTR’s next film, Kantri) will also attend. So it will be a huge concert definitely.

Sri: What are your expectations from this tour!

I am expecting a culture like Bollywood’s musical concerts develop here among the Telugus in USA. One thing that I am not happy about is that people are demanding free tickets.. How they want to have free tickets? We come all the way with so many expectations to here. And I heard that most of them are calling for the free tickets, which dampens the spirit of the artists. Spending ten or twenty dollars on the tickets does not cost them much. My request to all the people is to buy the tickets and watch the show and please do not call for the free tickets. This will definitely not help us.

Sri: Now coming to the films! Today everyone wants to record his or her songs other than in Hyderabad. Why is it that. Some of our music directors even prefer recording in London, or Prague etc.. What difference you notice for film that recorded in Hyderabad/Chennai to London or some other foreign destinations.

In London or in Prague, you will have Philharmonic orchastra that will be advantage. For example, Rehman recorded Lagaan in London. Prasanna who is a guitarist organized that for him. For the films of that grandeur it may be required. But for the Telugu cinema market, I think Chennai or Hyderabad will be the best. See all my films are done either in Chennai or in Hyderabad, films like Pokiri or Okkadu or Chudalani Undi are all done here only. They are big hits in Telugu cinema. I think for us there is no need to go there. We can get good quality here also.

Sri: Which are the new bread of music directors that you feel will have longevity?

It all depends on different aspects. First things first, their creativity alone decides their stand and their work and behavior. On the creativity side, I liked Mickey J Meyer’s (of Tenth Class fame) in the recent times. How he fares in future is all depends on his involvement with the other people. But definitely he has a good

Sri: A R Rehman, Sivamani and you were used to be good friends before. As all are too busy now, how are the things going in between you...

Yes, we are still good friends. Shivamani often visits my house than Rehman and me meeting. But Rehman and I always catch up over the phones and we are still in touch with each other.

Sri : In Pokiri there is a bit which is inspired by “We will we will rock you”, an American song. Does American country music inspire you so much?

See, it might have done unintentionally but basically I do not like to copy other’s music. If I keep copying why would people come to me, they will go to others.

Sri : You gave hits to Balakrishna, Chiranjeevi, Mahesh, Pawan kalyan, Gopichand but could not do the same magic to Venkatesh or Nagarjuna?

For a film to become a hit, all crafts of filmmaking should shine well too. I can speak on my part. I did satisfactory work for Venky and Nagarjuna movies too. If you take Raavoyi Chandamama it was definitely a musical hit for Nagarjuna but the film could not hold audiences’ interest. Same goes to Venkatesh’s Subhaschandra Bose. “Allaneredi Pallu..” was a super hit song in the film. Music of Seenu (Venkatesh and Twinkle Khanna starrer) was also hit but the film was flop. So I give good music irrespective of the heros.

Sri : You are composing music for one of the most anticipated films – Chirutha. How did you feel when megastar Chiranjeevi personally invited you and asked you to compose music for his son’s film?

I felt really happy. I had composed music for most of debut movies. I did for Mahesh Babu’s first movie, Gopichand’s and R.B.chowdhury's son's films in Tamil. So I think they felt I am lucky for the new hero's. But I felt very much obliged to do the prestigious film, Chirutha. Chiranjeevi gaaru and mine is most successful combination. Hope same magic works for his son too. At present only one song is pending, all are recorded. I will complete it once I am back from the tour.

Sri: What about Athidhi and Okkamagadu?

Again both these films are very important and high profile projects. I share special rapport with Balakrishna and Mahesh Babu. But for the first time I am working with YVS Chowdhary for Okkamagadu and all the songs are completed. For Atithidi one song is pending.
Sri : Sometime back AVS publicized that his film, Roommates, was your 100th movie. Now you say contrary to that?

That was a mistake. Okkamagadu is my hundredth film. And I am happy that about it. YVS is one of the best directors who have a good music sense and command over it. Mark my word, the songs will rock everyone.

Sri : Will your son continue your legacy?


He is very much interested in the music. It is his decision to come into films or not.