2013 special year for music composer Gopi Sundar

“I was surprised when he (Shekhar) said he liked my rendition,and was overjoyed when SRK himself appreciated it

and asked it to be retained – that is how ‘Titli’ (duet with

Chinmayi Sripada picturised on Khan and Padukone in the film) happened,” he said.

“I have also committed myself to three upcoming projects with John Abraham; one is titled ‘Shadi Ka Ghar’,where I will be doing the background score alone,” Sundar told PTI.

He will be doing the music for the other two projects.

Sundar has previously been associated with popular compositions like ‘Aankhon mein teri’ (Om Shanti Om) and ‘Ek

Main Aur Ek Tu Hai’ (Bluffmaster).

Between his busy schedule,he got do a cameo as singer in the upcoming movie ‘Salala Mobiles’,starring Mammooty’s son Dulquer Salman and Nazriya. He is also doing its music and background score.

Adept at playing the tabla,he was keen on music right from his younger days.

Then veteran music director Ouseppachan took him under his wing. He worked as an associate for 14 years.

“He is my Guru. I learned how to work,do research,think music… It is a continuous learning process,” he said.

Sundar was elated when both ‘Guru-Shisya’ movies were released last week. Ouseppachan had done the music for the

Kamal directed ‘Nadan’ while Sundar was the composer for the Kunchacko Boban starrer ‘Vishudhan’. The songs in both movies have drawn widespread appreciation.

“The greatest compliment that a shisya (student) can get is when his guru (teacher) says he is charting out his own course and Ouseppachan has said I have carved out my own niche and my style,” Sundar said.

Sundar did not take the plunge into films as a composer straight away.

“I worked as a programmer for 16 years. I can work across all genres of music be it classical,hip-hop,western,traditional or folk. I have given music in the upcoming film ‘Escape from Uganda’,it is an African music,” he said.

He declined an offer from hit-director Ranjith to do the score for Mohanlal-starrer ‘Ravanaprabhu’.

“I told Ranjith,I was not ready for films,I needed time. If I had accepted the offer that time,I would not have been able to do the wide repertoire of songs that I have handled so far,” he said.

In 2006,he made his debut,doing the background score for the Roshan Andrews hit movie ‘Notebook.’

A year later,he gave music for Mammooty starrer-‘Big B’,an action-thriller directed by Amal Neerad.

His work made the industry take note of him and he got to do the music for two Mohanlal movies in succession – ‘Flash’ (2007) and ‘Sagar alias Jacky reloaded’. After the success of Prithviraj starrer ‘Anwar’ (2010),Sundar went on to bag more films.

All his compositions,especially ‘Kizhakku Pookkum’,were chartbusters which enabled him secure the 2011 Filmfare award for the best music director.

The Dulquer Salman-starrer ‘Ustad Hotel’ in 2012 further was another feather in his hat. The film won the national award for the best popular film,while Anjali Menon won it for best dialogues and actor Thilakan got a special mention from the jury for his performance in the film.

About not getting a state award so far,he said,”The greatest award is the appreciation of the people. You see,at functions,parents come up to me and say their children hum ‘appangal embadum’ (a popular song from ‘Ustad Hotel’),that is enough. Everybody should enjoy your final product,” he said.

His favourite compositions include ‘Nin Hridaya Mounam’ (Flash),’Kizhakku Pookum’,’Johnee Mone’ (ABCD),and ‘Vaathil Aa Vaathil’ (Ustad Hotel).

Now,he is composing music and background score for six movies simultaneously.

“Working from 10 am to midnight. What pressure? It is fun. Your mind should be calm. That is all,” he said.

He has a host of upcoming releases next year in his kitty. Some movies are ‘One by two’,’Mr Fraud’,’Boundaries’,and ‘Koothara’ (Mohanlal-starrer).