Akhanda is the soundtrack to the 2021 film of the same name directed by Boyapati Srinu starring Nandamuri Balakrishna and Pragya Jaiswal. The soundtrack to the film features four songs composed by S. Thaman and written by Anantha Sriram and Kalyan Chakkravarthy. It was released by Lahari Music on 9 December 2021.
| Akhanda | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 9 December 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2020–2021 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 17:06 | |||
| Language | Telugu | |||
| Label | Lahari Music | |||
| Producer | Thaman S | |||
| Thaman S chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Akhanda | ||||
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Background
editAkhanda is Thaman's second collaboration with Srinu after Sarrainodu (2016) and first with Balakrishna.[1] Thaman and Srinu extensively researched on the music of Akhanda to understand the nuances of Aghori saints and maintained its authenticity through the instrumentation and lyrics. He used Aghora chants and mantras throughout the film score.[2] He employed a choral ensemble of around 120 singers performing in the background.[3] According to Thaman, the music needed to match the film's tempo, as the film has heavy fight sequences and dialogues.[2] Thaman had initially composed five songs for the film, but one of the tracks had to be removed after watching the final edit, as it interrupted the flow of the narrative.[3] The re-recording of the film happened during September 2021, where Thaman updated the initial compositions for the film score, utilizing the film's delay. Thaman called his work for the film as his best to date.[4]
Release
editThe first single from the album, "Adigaa Adigaa" performed by S. P. Charan and M. L. Shruthi was released on 18 September 2021.[5] The second song—the film's title track—performed by Shankar Mahadevan, and his sons Siddharth and Shivam, released on 8 November.[6] The third song "Jai Balayya" was released at the film's pre-release event in Hyderabad on 27 November.[7]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adigaa Adigaa" | Kalyan Chakravarthy | S. P. Charan, ML Shruti | 4:42 |
| 2. | "Akhanda Title Song" | Ananta Sriram | Shankar Mahadevan, Siddharth Mahadevan, Shivam Mahadevan | 4:44 |
| 3. | "Jai Balayya" | Ananta Sriram | Geetha Madhuri, Sahithi Chaganti, Satya Yamini, Aditi Bhavaraju | 4:24 |
| 4. | "Amma Song" | Kalyan Chakravarthy | Mohana Bhogaraju | 3:16 |
| Total length: | 17:06 | |||
Reception
editSangeetha Devi Dundoo of The Hindu described the score as "rousing".[8] Mukesh Manjunath of Film Companion said "the music becomes the green chilli that some people eat along with food that's already spicy."[9] In contrast, Manoj Kumar R. of The Indian Express found Thaman's score as "inccessant" and outdid the "screams and whistles in a packed movie theatre".[10] He was also critical of allegedly taking the opening theme of the song "Chandralekha" from Thiruda Thiruda (1993) for the introduction of the villain.[10]
One of the theatres from Cinemark Theatres chain reduced the volume of the speakers while playing the film, as the executives felt that the score being "too loud" and would damage the speakers.[11]
Accolades
edit| Award[a] | Date of ceremony[b] | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 10–11 September 2022 | Best Music Director – Telugu | Thaman S | Nominated | [12] [13] |
| Best Lyricist – Telugu | Kalyan Chakravarthy – ("Amma Song") | Nominated | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer – Telugu | Geetha Madhuri – ("Jai Balayya") | Won |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Balakrishna-Boyapati Srinu film titled Akhanda". Cinema Express. 13 April 2021. Archived from the original on 25 October 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ a b Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2 April 2022). "Composer Thaman S discusses his musical evolution, composing for Shankar's next film, and more". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 3 April 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Interview : Thaman – Akhanda will be a thrilling experience". 123telugu.com. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 8 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Composer S Thaman confirms Akhanda's music was re-recorded, calls it his 'best work in the genre'". The Indian Express. 24 November 2021. Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "'Akhanda' first single out: Nandamuri Balakrishna, Pragya Jaiswal's 'Adigaa Adigaa' is a magical melody". The Times of India. 19 September 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 17 February 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Akhanda title song is a high-octane anthem". The Indian Express. 8 November 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Service, Express News (11 January 2022). "Jai Balayya song in Akhanda has become the anthem of his fans: Pragya Jaiswal". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 21 March 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (2 December 2021). "'Akhanda' movie review: Boyapati Srinu and Nandamuri Balakrishna's loud action entertainer is strictly for the fanbase". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ Manjunath, Mukesh (2 December 2021). "Akhanda Movie Review: A Feast Meant Only And Only For Fans". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Akhanda review: Nandamuri Balakrishna film is an assault on the senses". The Indian Express. 2 December 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
- ^ Prasad, B. H. (2 December 2021). "Akhanda USA Theatre Cuts Down Thaman's BGM Volume". Gulte. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
- ^ "SIIMA 2021 nominations: Allu Arjun's Pushpa, Dhanush's Karnan, Tovino Thomas' Minnal Murali lead the race". The Indian Express. 17 August 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2022. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
- ^ Hymavathi, Ravali (11 September 2022). "SIIMA Awards 2022: Check Out The Complete List Of Tollywood Winners..." The Hans India. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.