From Hollywood's Star Wars to Bollywood's Debut: Prateek Rajagopal's Musical Journey
Composer and record producer Prateek Rajagopal, with his Tamil and Malayali heritage, has made a significant entry into the Indian film industry with Bejoy Nambiar's Tu Yaa Main. In a recent interview, he opened up about his beginnings in Hollywood, his debut film composition, and how his longtime friend, actor Adarsh Gourav, played a pivotal role in connecting him to these projects.
Roots in Indian Music: Ilaiyaraaja and ARR's Influence
"My dad would play Ilaiyaraaja and ARR's music all the time," Prateek recalls, emphasizing his deep familiarity with the Indian music scene. He expresses a genuine interest in taking on projects here, noting that A.R. Rahman ranks among his top three composers of all time. "His music feels transcendental, and there's a mystery to a lot of his work," he says. While Ilaiyaraaja belongs to a generation he knows through his parents, Prateek remains mesmerized by his compositions, highlighting the lasting impact of these musical legends on his artistic development.
Hollywood Beginnings: Assisting on Star Wars Projects
For over six and a half years, Prateek has been actively working in Hollywood. After graduating from the University of Southern California (USC), he entered the industry by assisting renowned composers Ludwig Göransson and Joseph Shirley. "I assisted Ludwig Göransson and Joseph Shirley for Star Wars: The Mandalorian," he shares, mentioning his involvement in The Book of Boba Fett and other major projects. This experience provided him with a front-row seat to observe top-tier professionals at work, and the colleagues he met there have since become his closest friends, enriching his network and skills.
Contrasting Indian and Hollywood Music Approaches
Prateek points out a key difference between the South Indian and Hindi film industries: "The Hindi film industry is more song-dominated; background score is appreciated more in the South." He explains that in Hindi cinema, scores often build from song themes, but for Tu Yaa Main, he ensured the score stood distinct from the songs. He appreciates the cohesion in India, where a single music director oversees both songs and scores, unlike Hollywood's practice of licensing multiple songs from different artists, rarely commissioning custom tracks for films.
Debut Film Experience: Scoring Before Seeing the Film
His entry into Tu Yaa Main was facilitated by his college friend, actor Adarsh Gourav, who secretly recommended him for the project. "I scored so much music for Tu Yaa Main before I saw a single frame of the film," Prateek reveals. Based in Los Angeles at the time, he received a direct request from director Bejoy Nambiar, who provided guidance on the desired sound. Prateek composed extensively without visual references, and to his delight, the director approved all his work, showcasing his adaptability and creative trust.
Industry Insights: Balancing Creativity and Collaboration
Prateek emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills in the film industry. "You give filmmakers what they want, but decorate it with what you like," he advises, highlighting the need to interpret directors' visions while adding personal touches. He notes that filmmakers often have years of contemplation behind their projects, so composers must allow space for expression. Despite potential egos in high-stress, high-stakes environments, he recommends not taking things personally, focusing instead on collaborative success.
Upcoming Project: Experimental Music for Telugu Film Birthday
Looking ahead, Prateek is working on his first Telugu movie, Birthday, directed by debutant Baba Shashank and starring Adarsh Gourav as the protagonist. "My first Telugu movie will have experimental music," he announces, describing a genre-blending approach that spans metal, orchestral, electronic, and more. He dismisses language barriers as a challenge, stating, "Music is my first love, and movies are a medium for me to explore it further," underscoring his passion and versatility in composition.
