HYDERABAD: While the storyline of the recent release ‘Committee Kurrollu’ impressed audiences, it was Anudeep Devarakonda’s music that truly brought the film’s essence to life. Known professionally as Anudeep Dev, he has been a significant presence in Tollywood since launching his career in 2011. Over the years, Anudeep Dev has collaborated with esteemed musicians such as MM Keeravani, Anup Rubens, S Thaman, and Micky J Meyer.
His work in ‘Committee Kurrollu’ is exceptional; its emotional and evocative score enhanced the film’s narrative. In a conversation with CE, Anudeep reflects on his evolving journey as a musician and experiences that have shaped his career. I’m thrilled to have worked on ‘Committee Kurrollu’.
It’s a beautiful script with a compelling story, and it offered a lot of room for creating impactful music. I’m really pleased with how the project turned out. My favourite song from the album is ‘Huyire Huyire.
’ While I also love ‘Aa Rojulu Malli Raavu,’ ‘Huyire Huyire’ is particularly special to me. We explored numerous versions of it before finalising the best one, and the effort we put into it really paid off. So, it stands out as my favourite track on the album.
Yes, I had a band in college, which was made up of amateur musicians. We were all quite young at the time. We formed the band in a place called the Student Activity Centre — what we referred to as the ‘SAC room’.
I used to visit there every day to meet other students interested in extracurricular activities. It was there that I found a drummer, a guitarist, a bass guitarist, and the rest of the band members. We would often jam together, even skipping classes to do so.
My musical journey has been somewhat unconventional. I began as a singer and started learning music through real-time experiences. After recording my first song, I began studying Carnatic music and other instruments.
Typically, people learn music before entering the profession, but I jumped into the industry first and then pursued formal learning. I realised that having a background in classical music is crucial for surviving in the creative industry. AR Rahman inspires me greatly.
He is my favourite musician because he has consistently been at the top of his game for the past 30 years, from his first film ‘Roja’ to his latest work, which I believe is ‘Raayan’. His ability to maintain such consistency and produce innovative music across multiple films is remarkable. For example, the music from ‘Boys’, released in the early 2000s, was groundbreaking at the time, and ‘Robot’ further showcased his unique style.
I always look forward to Rahman’s music because there is always something new and exciting in every album and song. His consistency and creativity set him apart, and I aspire to achieve that level of excellence and consistency in my own music. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with many talented musicians, including vocalists, guitarists, rhythm players, and keyboardists.
For keyboards, I especially enjoy working with Bharath Madhusudan and Balu, who are from Chennai and Hyderabad, respectively. On guitar, I have great respect for Keba Jeremiah and Joel Sastry, both based in Hyderabad. Among vocalists, I’ve worked with nearly all the prominent singers in Hyderabad.
One standout experience for me was recording with Karthik for the song ‘Aa Rojulu Malli Raavu’ from ‘Committee Kurrollu’. It was an exceptional recording session where I learned a lot. Karthik’s dedication to the song was evident — he had thoroughly prepared before coming to the studio, asked insightful questions, and contributed significantly to making the song beautiful.
I also had a great experience recording with Sunidhi Chauhan for ‘Hanuman’. ‘ Yes, challenges are a constant part of a musician’s life. Every day brings new challenges, whether it’s composing music, working with different directors, or tackling various situations.
As a singer, each song and each collaboration presents its own set of hurdles. I’ve faced and overcome many of these challenges, though there have been times when I didn’t succeed. The key is to view every experience as a learning opportunity and to keep growing from those experiences.
One of the most memorable moments in my career happened in Australia. I was touring with RP Patnaik’s team and, on a day off, we attended an AR Rahman concert in Melbourne. I was seated in the front row, and during the concert, Rahman Sir invited singers in the audience members to the stage.
I quickly raised my hand, and to my surprise, he called me up. When he asked if I wanted to sing, I eagerly said yes and chose to perform ‘Roja.’ Singing in front of 10,000 people alongside Rahman Sir, Ranjit Barot, and Shivamani was an unforgettable experience.
I believe mastering any form of classical music is crucial. It provides a solid foundation that can help you perform well even on challenging days. Not every song will be within your comfort zone, so having a background in classical music — whether Western, Hindustani, or Carnatic — is essential.
Continuous learning and practice are key and saves us. I’m excited to announce that I’m working on my next music album, ‘From the Bottom of My Heart’, Season Two. The first season was well-received, and Sony Music has all the songs.
I’m also looking forward to signing some exciting new projects in the near future and am eager to share them with everyone..
