Choreographer turned actor Lawrence Raghavendra is donning the director's mantle again with Muni. Lawrence also plays the leading role, with Vedika as his love interest. The multitalented Lawrence has even sung a song here. Bharadwaj has composed the album, with Pa Vijay and Lawrence penning the lyrics.
The 5-song album, packaged liberally with contemporary sounds, is exclusively for today's generation. It literally starts with a bang and retains that tempo till finish with no respite in between. There is a thin strain of rap running through almost all the numbers.
The opening track Assah pussah has a mild rustic feel punctuated with a rap interlude. The swara sequences add a classical touch. The lyrics are about the lover courting his reluctant sweetheart. When he is acceptable to the whole family of the girl, why does she spurn his overtures, he laments. The number features Karthik singing with his usual verve. Priya joins him in piquant exchanges with a naughty casualness in her voice.
Suru suru susuravarthi by Ranjith and Anuradha Sriraam is another racy track with rapid percussion. Though distressingly unoriginal, the number might find favour on the dance floors. Ranjith's exuberant rendition, adequately supported by Anuradha Sriram, and the nadaswaram strains add spice to the track.
Gulla gulla Dracula casts a savage spell, with all the potential to hit the popularity chart. Pa Vijay's roguish lyrics create a visual ambience of satanic rituals and sorcery. It is a rap number rendered by Sathyan and his chorus, in voices choked with adrenaline. Hard percussion adds to the violent flavour.
Thalai suthuthey mami is hot stuff with smouldering passion. Bharadwaj himself along with Kavitha has lent his voice for this mass number. The composer has embellished the instrumentation with trumpet and saxophone. Punctuating the rendition with loud rapturous intakes of breath is a ploy to add to the sensuousness of the number.
Varranda muni, by Mukesh and chorus, is the title track eulogisng the protagonist. He is described as the fearless champion, who cannot be currupted in any manner. The number has mild shades of Dheena's Pathinettu vayassu from Kannum Kannum. Mukesh goes ballistic aided by an eloquent chorus with the number finally ending up in a deluge of words.
Bharadwaj winds up the album with the male solo version of Thalai Suthuthey rendered by Lawrence.
Fast beats, racy rhythm, pungent lyrics and a motley of singers, that's Muni for you.
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