Wikipedia

Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara

"Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara" (transl. command – the leader's rampage) or simply "Hukum" is the Tamil-language song composed and sung by Anirudh Ravichander and written by Super Subu, for the soundtrack of the 2023 film Jailer. The film, directed by Nelson Dilipkumar and produced by Sun Pictures, starred Rajinikanth. The song was released on 17 July 2023 as the second single from the album.

"Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara"
Single by Anirudh Ravichander
from the album Jailer
LanguageTamil
Released17 July 2023
RecordedMay 2023
StudioAlbuquerque Records, Chennai
GenreFilmi
Length3:27
LabelSun Pictures
Composer(s)Anirudh Ravichander
Lyricist(s)Super Subu
Producer(s)Anirudh Ravichander
Jailer track listing
  1. "Kaavaalaa"
  2. "Jailer Theme"
  3. "Rathamaarey"
  4. "Muthuvel Pandian Theme"
  5. "Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara"
  6. "Jailer Drill"
  7. "Jujubee"
  8. "Alappara Theme"
Music video
"Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara" on YouTube

"Hukum" was conceived as a fan anthem for Rajinikanth. Upon release, it achieved widespread popularity and a pop-culture phenomenon with fans posting edits for sports and film favorites. The song further topped at number three Billboard India Songs and other national charts in music and video platforms. Super Subu won the Best Lyricist award at the 3rd IIFA Utsavam.

Context

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In the film, the song appears in two instances: one in the post-interval sequence after Muthuvel Pandian (Rajinikanth) comes to Varman's (Vinayakan) place to confront and kill him, and the other, in a much-hyped sequence that featured Muthuvel, Matthew (Mohanlal) and Narasimha (Shiva Rajkumar).[1] Anirudh added that because of the word "hukum" (transl. command), Anirudh wanted to use the song in that sequence, which worked perfectly.[1]

Composition and lyrics

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Anirudh contacted his classmate and fellow lyricist Super Subu to write the song, as the latter was a fan of Rajinikanth.[2] He was recommended by the director Nelson and studio executives, for his contribution to the film.[2] As Nelson was busy on the film's production, Anirudh told the briefing of the song to Subu and where the song would appear in the film. He instructed Subu to write the song as a "mass number".[3] Subu then wrote the lyrics of the song from a third-person's perspective as he wanted to conceptualize it as a fan anthem.[3] The lyrics for the song were written within two hours.[4] The war horn-sound which opens the theme was produced by Anirudh through vocals, which he amplified with sound effects for the final version.[5]

Marketing and release

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"Hukum – Thalaivar Alappara" was announced on 13 July and set to be released as the second single from the album.[6][7] A teaser of the song was released on 15 July,[8][9] and the full song was released on 17 July.[10][11] The song was released in Telugu, Hindi and Kannada as "Hukum" on 30, 31 July and 9 August.[12] Actor Venkatesh launched the Telugu version through his social media platforms.[13]

Reception

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Meera Venugopal of Radio Mirchi reviewed the song as "the song is about a man who is the boss and controls how things work and needless to say, we get to see a super stylish Thalaivar in Hukum".[14] The Indian Express described the song as "an ode to Superstar's swag".[15]

Controversy

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The song met with criticism from a section of fans over its lyrics, that allegedly targeted other actors.[16] In response to this, lyricist Subu refuted them as untrue and he wrote the lyrics on the admiration for the fan.[17]

Impact

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Following its release, the song became immensely popular which led to numerous fan edits and tributes in sports and other pop culture.[18] Alagappan Muthu, writer of ESPNcricinfo, covered the Chennai Super Kings match against Kolkata Knight Riders on 8 April at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai that mentioned the song being played upon MS Dhoni's arrival at the stadium and the lyrics apparently referenced on Dhoni, as a token of admiration by the fans.[18] The football club Manchester City F.C. posted an Instagram reel, mentioning the song and the popular dialogue as a tribute to the actor.[19]

Composer Anirudh announced Hukum World Tour for 2024–2025, banking on the success of the song.[20] Additionally, his newly established clothing brand "Piece of Rock" launched T-shirts under the tagline "Hukum" for the tour.[21] The introductory dialogue "inga naan thaan kingu" (transl. I am the only king here) spoken by Rajinikanth in the film and its song, inspired another film to have the same dialogue as title, starring Santhanam and Priyalaya.[22] The sequel to Jailer was given the tentative title Hukum.[23][24]

Credits

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  • Anirudh Ravichander – singer, composer, producer, musical arrangements, keyboard, synth and rhythm programming
  • Super Subu – lyrics
  • Yogi Sekar – backing vocals
  • Velu K – backing vocals
  • Adithya RK – backing vocals
  • Ravi G – backing vocals
  • Ananthakrrishnan – backing vocals, music advisor
  • Shashank Vijay – rhythm production
  • Kalyan – additional rhythm programming
  • IC – additional keyboard programming
  • Arish-Pradeep PJ – additional keyboard programming
  • Sajith Satya – creative consultant
  • Srinivasan M – recording, mixing and mastering
  • Shivakaran S – recording
  • Vinay Sridhar – mixing and mastering
  • Velavan B – music co-ordinator

Chart performance

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Chart Peak
position
India (Billboard)
("Kaavaalaa")[25] 		3
Asian Music Chart (OCC)
("Kaavaalaa")[26] 		6

Awards and nominations

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Result Ref.
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 22 June 2024 Best Male Playback Singer Anirudh Ravichander Nominated [27]
Best Lyricist Super Subu Nominated
Filmfare Awards South 3 August 2024 Best Male Playback Singer – Tamil Anirudh Ravichander Nominated [28]
IIFA Utsavam 27 September 2024 Best Lyricist Super Subu Nominated [29]
[30]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Anirudh Ravichander on his relationship with superstar Rajinikanth; deets inside". Firstpost. 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b Anirudh Reveals the Magic Behind 'Hukum' Song (Television production) (in Tamil). Sun TV. 16 August 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b "When 'Hukum' lyricist Super Subu received a special message from Rajinikanth for the song - Exclusive!". The Times of India. 19 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Lyricist Super Subu Opens Up About His Motivation To Pen The Lyrics Of Hukum". News18. 21 July 2023. Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  5. ^ Anirudh Explains How He Cracked the Sound of Jailer! | Jailer Unlocked - Making of Jailer | Sun TV. Sun TV. 17 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "Jailer's second single Hukum to be out on this date". Cinema Express. 13 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Jailer song Hukum teaser out: Rajinikanth steals the show in Anirudh's composition". India Today. 15 July 2023. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Teaser of 'Jailer' second single 'Hukum': Rajinikanth's swag is unmissable in this Anirudh Ravichander's composition". The Times of India. 16 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Hukum: Rajinikanth Goes All Guns Blazing With Swag In Jailer's New Song Teaser; Watch". News18. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Here's the most awaited song 'Hukum' from Rajinkanth's 'Jailer' !". The Times of India. 18 July 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 July 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Hukum: The Second Single from Rajinikanth and Nelson's Jailer is Here". Film Companion South. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Jailer: Hindi And Telugu Versions Of Hukum Unveiled, Lyrics Compliment Rajini's Swagger". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 30 July 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  13. ^ Sistu, Suhas (30 July 2023). "Venkatesh launches Jailer's 'Hukum' Telugu version". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  14. ^ Venugopal, Meera (11 August 2023). "Anirudh Ravichanders album for Rajinikanths Jailer is a tribute to the superstar". Radio Mirchi. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  15. ^ "Hukum: Second single from Rajinikanth's Jailer is an ode to superstar's swag". The Indian Express. 17 July 2023. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  16. ^ "இரட்டை அர்த்த வரிகளுடன் ஜெயிலர் பட பாடல்..! ரசிகர்கள் அதிர்ச்சி..!" [Double-entendres in Jailer song! Fans in shock!]. Zee News Tamil (in Tamil). 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  17. ^ Pandiyan S, Kalyani (18 July 2023). "Jailer Hukum: விஜய் சாரை தாக்கினேனா?.. 'இங்க யாரு சூப்பர் ஸ்டாருன்னு எனக்குத்தெரியும்' - ஜெயிலர் பாடலாசிரியர் சுப்பு!". Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 19 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  18. ^ a b Muthu, Alagappan (9 April 2024). "Chepauk roars as Dhonimania caps CSK's perfect night". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 24 April 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  19. ^ "Hukum, Haaland ka Hukum: Manchester City's tribute to 'Superstar' Rajinikanth". The News Minute. 29 February 2024. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  20. ^ "Music composer Anirudh Ravichander to kickstart Hukum World Tour from Dubai". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  21. ^ Paitandy, Priyadarshini (16 October 2024). "Composer Anirudh's brand Piece of Rock brings his Hukum Tour T-shirts to India for Deepavali". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 20 November 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2024.
  22. ^ "Santhanam's 'Inga Naan Thaan Kingu' gets a release date". The Hindu. 20 April 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 6 May 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  23. ^ "Rajinikanth's 2023 box office hit film 'Jailer' to get a sequel titled 'Hukum': Report". The Times of India. 12 April 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  24. ^ "Jailer 2 tentatively titled Hukum?". Cinema Express. 12 April 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  25. ^ "India Songs". Billboard. 26 August 2023. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  26. ^ "Asian Music Chart Top 40: 18 August 2023". Official Charts Company. 18 August 2023. Archived from the original on 6 September 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards 2023". Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards. 21 May 2024. Archived from the original on 21 May 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  28. ^ "Nominations for the 69th Filmfare Awards South 2024 – Tamil". Filmfare. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
  29. ^ "IIFA 2024 Utsavam unveils nominations, honouring the diversity of South Indian cinema". Firstpost. 21 August 2024. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  30. ^ "IIFA Utsavam 2024: Rajinikanth's Jailer is Best Picture, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram win big". India Today. 28 September 2024. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
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