Dhanush features in Arun Matheswaran’s Ilaiyaraaja — The king of music ( Photo Credit – Instagram; Facebook )
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A biographical movie on the life of the legendary music director Ilaiyaraaja is in the making. The film, titled ‘Ilaiyaraaja – The King of Music’, will showcase actor Dhanush playing the titular role. C-produced by Connekkt Media, PK Prime Production, and Mercuri Movies, Captain Miller filmmaker Arun Matheswaran will direct the biopic. The maestro himself will compose the music.
Veteran actor Kamal Haasan announced the film by at a function in Chennai on Wednesday. The post of Ilaiyaraaja – The King of Music was also unveiled at the event.
Dhanush, who has been a long-time admirer of Ilaiyaraaja, said, “I grew up listening to the songs of the legendary Ilaiyaraaja. I always dreamed of acting in the biopic of Ilaiyaraaja and actor Rajinikanth. One will fructify, but I don’t know when the other will.”
In the poster, a young man carrying a bag of belongings can be seen entering Chennai, and it resembles an antique postcard. Dhanush has expressed his gratitude for being part of the film, saying “Honoured.”
Ilaiyaraaja is one of the most celebrated music composers in India. His name evokes a sense of nostalgia among those born in the 1980s and 90s, who have grown up listening to his music for over four decades. Fans of the legend are thrilled that a biopic chronicling the life of the legendary composer will be made, with actor Dhanush portraying the maestro.
The movie will trace the life and times of Illaiyaraaja, who has composed over 7,000 songs for over 1,000 films and performed in over 20,000 concerts across the globe during his career spanning over five decades. The biopic will cover the history of the 81-year-old music legend from Pannaipuram, now Theni, to the present day.
Born as R. Gnanathesikanin, Ilaiyaraaja grew up in a rural area and was exposed to a range of Tamil folk music in his formative years. At the age of 14, he joined a travelling musical troupe named Pavalar Brothers and spent the next decade performing across South India. Ilaiyaraaja moved to Chennai at a very early age to pursue a career in the cinema industry.
