Lyricist KK Revels in a Year of Chart-Topping Success
Celebrated lyricist KK (Krishnakanth) recently shared his joy and satisfaction with his flourishing career. Reflecting on a year of remarkable achievements, he expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to craft songs that resonate with music lovers across languages, including Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam.
"I'm incredibly fulfilled as a lyricist," KK shared in a recent interview. "Last year was truly exceptional. I had the privilege of writing some wonderful songs, and it's gratifying to see my dream of leaving my previous job and establishing myself as a lyricist come to fruition. The songs I penned last year, including those for dubbed films, have become chartbusters, captivating music enthusiasts and going viral."
Navigating the World of Pan-Indian Cinema
KK has recently been lending his lyrical prowess to several pan-Indian films. He shed light on the process of writing for such projects: "Writing for pan-Indian movies doesn't intimidate me. When working on films like Salaar and Radhe Shyam, the Telugu lyrics are translated into English and shared with lyricists in other languages, who then adapt them to their respective versions. This collaborative approach is the only added layer in pan-Indian filmmaking."
The Power of Storytelling in Songwriting
KK emphasized the importance of understanding the film's narrative when crafting lyrics: "Knowing the complete story is a significant advantage for a lyricist. I wrote 'Single King' for Padi Padi Leche Manasu, five songs for Sita Ramam, and tracks for Salaar and Radhe Shyam, all of which became superhits. Immersing myself in the story allows me to avoid repetition, discover fresh expressions, and ultimately craft unique and memorable songs."
A Year of Memorable Melodies
KK reflected on some of his standout creations from the past year: "'Adiga' from Hi Nanna holds a special place in my heart. The song, along with the film, reached a wide audience through various music concerts. 'Anuvanuvu' from Om Bheem Bhush went viral, and 'Ambaraala Veedhilo' from the dubbed movie ARM received tremendous appreciation. 'Naa Favourite Naa Pellame' from Janaka Aithe Ganaka was also a hit. I'm delighted that 90 percent of the songs I've written have been successful. Even the songs I penned for Rajinikanth's Vettaiyan and Siva Karthikeyan's Amaran have garnered widespread acclaim."
Exploring New Creative Horizons
While KK continues to excel in songwriting, he's also venturing into new creative territories: "Writing original songs offers more freedom, but dubbed songs require careful selection of Telugu words that align with the original language. It's a unique challenge. This year, I'm also exploring scriptwriting. I'm writing dialogues for the film Adheera under the guidance of Prashanth Varma. I've been eager to return to scriptwriting, and now I'm finding time for both songs and scripts. Directing is also on my mind, but for now, I'm focused on writing."
Upcoming Projects and Industry Insights
KK shared exciting updates on his upcoming projects and offered insights into the evolving music landscape: "We've begun work on two songs for Prabhas and Hanu Raghavapudi's film, a period piece set in the 1940s with a patriotic storyline. It's a departure from Hanu's previous love stories, filled with action and drama reminiscent of Hollywood films. In today's music scene, there's a growing demand for hook lines, but I believe that approach doesn't suit every song. Thankfully, the technicians I collaborate with have been incredibly supportive. My fellow lyricists are also very encouraging. Chandrabose garu even calls to congratulate me when I write a good song. In the past, film stories resonated more with the general audience, resulting in timeless and memorable songs. Such stories are rare now, but I strive to maintain that emotional connection in my work whenever possible."
KK concluded by revealing his current and upcoming projects: "I'm currently writing songs for the Prabhas-Hanu film, The Raja Saab, Ram Pothineni's RAPO22, Vijay Deverakonda's VD 12, and several others. Discussions are also underway for various exciting projects."
With his passion for language, storytelling, and music, KK continues to make his mark on the industry, crafting songs that resonate with audiences and leave a lasting impression.