This is the print ad (in Dinakaran – Tamil daily – dated, October 1, 2010) for Ram Gopal Varma’s Ratha Sarithram (Tamil version of the Hindi film starring Surya and Vivek Oberoi). And it is plain disgusting – it says, ‘Music available now’ and has, in fine print, just the name of the guy scoring background music (Dharam-Sandeep). For an audio launch ad, it does not have the name of the composer(s) anywhere, as far as I can see it. I found out from the Telugu version of the soundtrack that the composers are Bapi-Tutul, Imran-Vikram and Dharam-Sandeep – and now it is obvious why there is no mention of the composers in the ad. After all, who in their right mind in Tamil Nadu cares or even knows these out-of-work, Ram Gopal Varma-exclusive composers?
So, the question – why even bother with a music launch if you can’t name the composers in a print ad? Why not just say that the film is releasing soon, in the ad? This ad is insulting to even these marginalized, B-grade-for-life composers since it talks about music and doesn’t list their names, who are the rightful owners of this ad. Heck, it even lists 4 lyricists – Na.Muthukumar, Kabilan, Vivega and Yugabarathi. I agree that they are known to Tamilians and it makes logical sense to list their name. But, isn’t this an ad for the music soundtrack’s availability?
I wouldn’t wish this pitiable, pathetic state even for my worst composer enemy. Ram Gopal Varma has been treating composers like this for a while anyway..I just wonder why he even thinks of having a soundtrack for his films? Imagine – how would Mr Varma feel about a print ad which declares the film as released with no mention of him as the film’s director?
