Chiranjeevi: Rangamarthanda helped me understand the loneliness in an actor’s life

Rangamarthanda, director Krishna Vamsi’s ambitious remake of the Marathi blockbuster Nata Samrat, aims to hit screens in the first half of 2023. The film, whose shoot was wrapped earlier this year, has more or less finished its post-production formalities as well. The drama, which has music by Ilaiyaraaja, has an ensemble cast comprising Prakash Raj, Ramya Krishnan, Shivathmika Rajashekar, Ali Reza, Rahul Sipligunj and Brahmanandam in key roles. Kalipu Madhu is bankrolling the project.

Waltair Veerayya star Chiranjeevi has lent his voice to a shayari titled Nenoka Natudni in the film, which discusses an actor's psyche in a vulnerable phase of his life. Lyricised by Lakshmi Bhupal, this was among the rare occasions where Ilaiyaraaja composed a number after the lyrics were written. While the shayari is set to be launched on December 21, the makers of Rangamarthanda shared a special video where Chiranjeevi and Krishna Vamsi spoke of the uniqueness of the number.

“When Krishna Vamsi asked me to render this shayari, I wondered if audiences will imagine me in the character and connect it with my real life. I thought there were more experienced actors than me with a better voice who could do justice to it. However, when I was recording it, I could genuinely understand the loneliness that every actor faces at some point. I’m very glad that someone of Ilaiayaraaja garu’s repute has appreciated my voice,” Chiranjeevi said.

Krishna Vamsi shared that Ilaiayaraaja was extremely excited to know of Chiranjeevi’s rendition of the shayari. “He wanted him (Chiranjeevi) to record the shayari first and compose later, which isn’t the case for his recordings generally.” Chiranjeevi particularly praised Ilaiyaraaja’s instrumentation that reminded him of the traditional instruments used for stage dramas without any western influences. Rangamarthanda, which has dialogues by Akella Siva Prasad, is produced under Housefull Movies and Raja Shyamala Entertainments.