Filmmaker Mohan Raja has revealed that the popular song ‘Karuthavanlaam Galeejam’ from his 2017 hit film Velaikkaran was inspired by none other than the King of Pop, Michael Jackson.
In a recent conversation with Maathevan, the Velaikkaran director explained that Michael Jackson’s politically charged anthem ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ served as the emotional foundation for the Tamil hit song.
“It is important to blend the messaging with the mass commercial aspects. If I didn’t name the song Karuthavanlaam Galeejam, the message wouldn’t have reached the audience even if the song was a fun one. I needed Michael Jackson’s emotions from ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ to convey the message clearly. The pop singer’s anger is the inspiration behind the song, and that intense emotion was required for it. But at the same time there’s a need for the lyric to be relatable, progressive and engaging.”
The director added that beyond it’s energetic beats and mass appeal, the song carried a progressive undertone.”But at the same time there’s a need for the lyric to be relatable, progressive and engaging.”
Composed by Anirudh Ravichander, ‘Karuthuvanlaam Galeejam’ became one of the most memorable tracks from Velaikkaran, starring Sivakarthikeyan, Fahadh Faasil, Sneha and Nayanthara in lead roles. The film followed the story of Arivazhagan, a sales executive who takes on corrupt corporations involved in food adulteration.
Released in 2017, Velaikkaran received widespread acclaim for it’s strong performances, sharp writing and socially conscious message. Critics praised how Mohan Raja balanced commercial cinema with meaningful storytelling, a balance he has now revealed was shaped, in part, by the spirit of Michael Jackson’s music.
Sources: Cinema Express
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