PremiumRajinikanth's Minsara Kanna from Padayappa was originally a female solo, later singer Srinivas sang the male track at gunpoint!
The single from Padayappa, sung by Nithyashree Mahadevan and Srinivas emerged as a chartbuster
Last Updated: 06.57 PM, May 28, 2023
We know that the Minsara Kanna from Superstar Rajinikanth's Padayappa (1999) was a turning point in singer Srinivas's career. However, the song was originally a female solo with just the voice of Carnatic musician Nithyashree Mahadevan. Later, when the makers decided to make the song a duet, singer Srinivas was roped in and he had to sing the song in exactly ten minutes!
In an interview to a YouTube channel, singer Srinivas recalled the time when he sang the number. "At that point, singing for Padayappa and Rajinikanth was considered a pinnacle for any singer. I had no clue that my voice was going to be used for the song. Minsara Kanna was originally a female solo."
He added that those days, he would just walk into Rahman's studio and watch the way he worked. "He called me one day and said that the song had changed into a duet and that the team wanted to sing the male track. I was at the recording when Nithyashree Mahadevan, the classical genius, sang the female portion. I was wondering what I was doing there. That's when Rahman said, "Everyone is hungry. I will give you ten minutes to sing this. I sang the song at gunpoint! After the rendition, I said thanks and left.
Srinivas revealed that two other singers, one of whom he had idolised, had also sung the version. "Before the audio launch of Padayappa, the master was given. I visited Rahman's studio that night and asked him about the song. Rahman casually replied, 'Oh, your voice is ok for the song. And Happy New Year'.
Srinivas added, "I was in tears and I never expected it to happen. Rajini sir liked my version. I was just getting established as a singer and getting such an opportunity was a big fortune." Padayappa also emerged as one of the biggest hits in Rajinikanth's career.