By MM Keeravaani Embraces Challenges That Push His Creative Limits and Drive His Musical Evolution
For MM Keeravaani, music is more than just a profession—it’s an essential part of his existence. “Music runs in my blood,” says the Oscar-winning composer. “I no longer see it as sadhana (dedicated practice). Composing music has become second nature to me, like child’s play. I do it effortlessly now.” However, despite his deep connection to music, he admits that translating ideas into compositions is never without challenges. “When you imagine something, it has a different texture in your mind, but when you apply it practically, obstacles arise. Imagination has no limitations, but the real world does,” he explains.
Keeravaani thrives on pushing boundaries. “A challenging task excites me. If there’s no difficulty, there’s no thrill. Either a tough challenge or financial incentive drives my excitement. Sometimes, working with a new director or musician also brings that spark,” he shares. This passion for challenges keeps him drawn to projects that push him beyond his comfort zone.
One such challenge is his upcoming live performance in Hyderabad, set to take place on Saturday. It marks his first concert in the city in over two decades. “Usually, I perform with a small orchestra of around 15 musicians due to budget constraints. But this time, I have the luxury of a full 150-piece orchestra. It’s ten times bigger than what I’m used to, making it all the more exciting,” he explains.
Keeravaani has curated a setlist of 30 hit songs, carefully chosen from his vast repertoire. “I’ve composed over 1,600 songs, of which 800 were hits, 400 were super hits, and 200 were mega hits. But I can’t perform all 200, so we’ve randomly selected 30 tracks,” he says. He acknowledges the audience’s diverse tastes, balancing the selection between soulful melodies and high-energy numbers. “Personally, I love melodies, but I understand that people enjoy fast-paced songs too. So, I’ve dedicated an hour of the concert to energetic tracks where the audience can dance and celebrate. There will also be segments featuring innovative compositions and intimate melodies that touch the heart.”
Keeravaani, a multi-instrumentalist, will personally play both the piano and violin during the concert. However, given a choice, he would rather be part of the audience. “I was in the audience when Baahubali was performed live at Albert Hall, and now RRR will be performed there in May. I’ll be watching because it’s my music. It’s a joy to experience your own work without having to perform,” he says with a smile.
Speaking about his inspirations, the 63-year-old composer believes that learning is a lifelong process. “My biggest influences have been KV Mahadevan sir and RD Burman. But I believe you can learn from anyone,” he shares. “Even from contemporary musicians like Mickey J Meyer—if someone creates something innovative, I take inspiration from it. Everyone has something valuable to offer.”
Looking ahead, Keeravaani has several exciting projects in the pipeline. He is composing music for Vishwambhara, starring Chiranjeevi, marking their first collaboration in nearly three decades. “Reuniting with Chiranjeevi after so many years is something special,” he says. He is also working on Tanvi The Great, a Bollywood film directed by and starring Anupam Kher. Additionally, he is composing for Rajamouli’s highly anticipated adventure film featuring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra.
The Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli project is being touted as the most expensive Indian film ever, and Keeravaani is well aware of the challenges it presents. “This will be tougher than anything I’ve done before. With each project, the expectations grow, and you have to innovate. I don’t think we’ve ever attempted a film like this before. It’s going to be an adventurous, demanding, yet thrilling journey,” he concludes.
