After Madan Karky, son of veteran lyricist Vairamuthu, now it’s the turn of Niranjan Bharthi from the Subramanya Bharathiyar family, to plunge into the creative, dazzling world of Kollywood.
The Bharthi boy is penning the lyrics for Ajith in his debut film, Mangaatha.
One difference between them is, Niranjan is an MBA student who wants to take up films as a full-time career, while Madan Karky is clear that lyric writing in films will always be his part-time work.
There are other differences, too. Madan got into films without his dad’s recommendation, whereas Niranjan admits that his famous surname helped him to bag his debut film offer.
“Hailing from the Subramanya Bharthiyar family was a good visiting card for me. I deliberately told people about my background,” says Niranjan, who is currently studying at ICFAI University, Hyderabad.
“Everybody was surprised to know that I’m from such a privileged family, that I’m the great-great- grandson of Bharathiyar. Right from my college days I used to write dummy lyrics to popular films. I wanted to get into films, but didn’t get the right opportunity. I did approach quite a few people without revealing my identity, but that didn’t work out. I realized, why should I restrict myself by not revealing my background? When I am blessed to be born in Bharathiyar’s family, I should be proud to call myself Niranjan Bharthi.
“So I met director Venkat Prabhu and disclosed my family tag. I got an awesome response; he liked my style of writing as well. Then he gave me an opportunity to pen the lyrics for Ajith in Mangaatha. This could be a huge opening for me. I can still see so many youngsters struggling for a good break. I think I’m lucky that I could kick-start effectively with my family background. Most of my friends are Ajith fans and everybody is excited about my Mangaatha songs. I have written a romantic number for Ajith. Though I come from a literary family, I don’t mind penning lyrics for a kuthu song, since I enjoy peppy numbers. But I do draw the line at double-meaning words,” says Niranjan firmly.
In contrast, Madan Karky was determined to enter films without even mentioning his dad’s name. That’s how he got to write his debut song, Irumbile oru irudhayam mulaikuthe in Enthiran.
“It’s easy to enter films with a reputed family background. That will help you for just one film. After that it’s only your talent which can take you further and lead you to great heights. I didn’t want to use my father’s name in my early days when I wanted to get into films.
“I struggled for a few years before I got my opportunity in Enthiran. I met many directors and producers without using my dad’s name. After so many rejections in the film industry, I happened to meet director Shankar. Until I met him I didn’t reveal the fact that I was Vairamuthu’s son. After I impressed him with my work and technical knowledge, I told him about my dad in the course of the meeting. He was stunned to know about my background. Now I am happy that I could get an opportunity to make my debut in films without using my father’s identity.
“Even my dad is happy with the way I am proceeding. In fact he didn’t want me to enter films, he wanted me to excel in some other field. At times people compare me with my dad, but that’s okay. I am striving hard to establish my own style, trying to use fresh, unique words in my upcoming song. Lyric writing will always be my part time work” says Madan Karky, who is currently employed as a professor in Anna university, even as his latest number Nenjil Nenjil from Engeyum Kaadhal rocks radio stations!
