“I’m glad that Hello is my 50th film” - Anup Rubens

Making his debut with the film ‘Jai’, Anup Rubens grew overtime as a successful music director by composing for over 50 films. After films like ‘Prema Kavali’, ‘Lovely’, ‘Pula Rangadu’, ‘Ishq’. ‘Gundejaari Gallantayyuinde’, ‘Heart Attack’, ‘Temper’, ‘Gopala Gopala’, ‘Manam’, ‘Soggad Chinninayana’, ‘Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam’ and ‘Nene Raju Nene Mantri’, Anup Rubens scored another musical hit with ‘Hello’.

Starring Youth King Akhil and Kalyani Priyadarshi in the leads, Hello was a latest love/action entertainer directed by Vikram and released on 22nd December across the world. The film marks Anup Rubens’ 50th film and is running successfully at all centers. The music director called for a special press meet for the event.

How is the feedback for Hello?

For the pure love story ‘Hello’, the feedback is really good. I’m getting calls and messages and hearing about, how clean the film is. I’m happy that such a feel-good entertainer has become my milestone 50th film. I thank Mr.Nagarjuna, Akhil, Vikram and the team of Annapurna Studios. Thanks to the audience for making the film such a big hit.

How did you get started?

I never dreamt that I would end up in the industry. I don’t have a musical background and only worked as a keyboard player. Everybody in the industry has treated me as a brother and a friend. Thanks to Mr.Teja for introducing me with Jai.

What did you learn so far?

I’ve worked for several films with several directors, actors and producers and everything is a learning experience. Music is like an ocean and you get to learn something new each day. 50 is just a number and there’s a lot more to go. I’ll try my best to give the best music.

Are you feeling any competition?

There’s competition in every field and it inspires you to bring out good quality. Competition, in my mind, is an inspiration. Only when I compose in a new style with hard work, I can inspire others to do so. Every music director has his own style of composing music and I’m following mine.

What are the most satisfactory works among these 50 films?

I’ve done both feel good and message oriented films as well. ‘Manam’, ‘Ishq’ and ‘Gundejaari Gallantayinde’ are feel-good films, while ‘Gopala Gopala’ is a message-oriented film when I first worked with Mr.Pawan Kalyan. I feel proud to have worked for Big B’s ‘Buddha Hoga Tera Baap’

How was it working for Annapurna studios after ‘Manam’?

Manam is a classic film and is a rare and extraordinary feat where three generations of heroes have worked together. The film brought me good acclaim as a music director. Hello carried such huge expectations after Manam and we’ve worked with high standards. As per everyone’s expectations, the film was a musical hit. Hello title song, Merise merise and Talachi Talachi are receiving good response

How was it working with director Vikram?

This is my third film with director Vikram. He is one of the best directors that I’ve worked with and inspires a lot during the story narration itself. He picturizes the events during the narration itself and is very clear and confident. I then compose the tune within half an hour and that’s his ease of getting an output. Whenever I feel stressed, he prompts me to pick up a guitar and is very comfortable associating with him.

Reason for making Akhil sing?

Akhil basically has a good voice. He hums a few tunes at parties and in the shower. Akhil likes to sing a lot and has a good taste in music. I taught him the basics of high pitch, tempo and breathing and taught him a few notes on the keyboard. Akhil does any task with dedication and he’s practiced to match the pitch with the note. We sat for the re-recording together and he sang like a professional.

How was your journey with Annapurna Studios?

I worked with Naga Chaitanya for ‘Autonagar Surya’. I’ve done the film with support from Mr.R.R.Venkat, Achi Reddy and B.A.Raju and was introduced to Naga Chaitanya. We’ve developed a good rapport and hence worked for films like ‘Manam’, ‘Soggade Chinni Nayana’, ‘Rarandoi Veduka Chuddam’ and ‘Hello’

How is your association with other music directors?

Thaman is a good friend and did several events together. He is a rhythm player and I’m a guitarist. I have a good relation with Devi as well and meet regularly at parties. Mr.Mani Sharma appreciates me if the songs come out good. I stay friendly with everyone.

Of the 50 films you’ve worked, what are your favorite songs so far?

I never sing my own songs and don’t listen to them once released. If its played on an F.M channel and I happen to listen to it, I analyze the work for betterment

How did you begin the journey with Puri Jagannadh?

He is one of my favorite human beings and stay very close to him. He is a very cool and knowledgeable person. I’ve worked with him for ‘Heart attack’, ‘Temper’, ’Paisa Vasool’ and did the re-recording for ‘Budda Hoga Tera Baap’. I thank him for the opportunity.

Do you make music for other languages?

I’ve been getting offers. I composed music for only the remakes of our hit films.

What was challenging about Hello?

Composing the background score is a huge task apart from scoring the music. The music should elevate the comedy, action and emotional scenes, while also justifying the story. Only then, does a film get an overall feel and so, re-recording is a tough job

What are your most acclaimed films as a music director?

‘Prema Kavali’, ‘Lovely’, ‘Pula Rangadu’, ‘Ishq’. ‘Gundejaari Gallantayyuinde’, ‘Heart Attack’, ‘Temper’, ‘Gopala Gopala’, ‘Manam’, ‘Soggad Chinninayana’, ‘Pilla Nuvvu Leni Jeevitam’ and ‘Nene Raju Nene Mantri’ earned me good critical and commercial acclaim

What are your next films?

I’m scoring music for the film with Mr.Venkatesh and director Teja. Other projects have been offered and the discussions are in progress. I haven’t committed to anything yet.

Would you like to mention a closing note?

Thanks to all the musicians and technicians for working with me. Also, thanks to the stars, producers and directors for helping me grow.

Anup Rubens then cut a huge cake on the occasion of finishing 50 films and shared the joy with media