Mahanati (soundtrack)
Mahanati is the soundtrack album composed by Mickey J. Meyer for the 2018 Tollywood film of the same name written and directed by Nag Ashwin and produced by C. Ashwini Dutt, Swapna Dutt, and Priyanka Dutt under the banners Vyjayanthi Movies and Swapna Cinema. The album consists of six tracks with Sirivennela Sitaramasastri and Ramajogayya Sastry penning the lyrics. The film is based on the life of Indian actress Savitri, played by Keerthy Suresh while Dulquer Salmaan, in his Telugu debut, plays the role of Gemini Ganesan. The soundtrack album released digitally on 1 May 2018 on the  Aditya Music label. Development. Mickey J. Meyer composed the film's soundtrack and score. The background music featured in the logo video, created much hype for the film. The composer revealed that, recording the title track was a huge challenge for him. In an interview with The Times of India, he stated that "I used to compose tracks while travelling and later finalising them in the studio. But, when I began recording the title track, I found that it was really tough to match the sounds of a bygone era with sensibilities of contemporary times. I hadn't watched any  of the diva’s movies, but I used to listen to old Hindi songs to understand the music of those days." Release. Aditya Music acquired the film's audio rights. The first single from the film "Mooga Manasulu" written by Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry and sung by Anurag Kulkarni and Shreya Ghoshal was released on 20 April 2018. It was also released in Tamil titled "Mauna Mazhaiyile" sung by Anurag Kulkarni and Nayana Nair and written by Madhan Karky. The song has nostalgic lyrics which reminds of the golden period of 1970s and 80s. The second single track was released on  26 April 2018. Titled "Sada Nannu" in Telugu and "Thandhaay" in Tamil, the song was rendered by Charulatha Mani. The full album of "Mahanati" was released on 1 May 2018, at a grand launch event, featuring the entire cast and crew. Whereas, the album of "Nadigayar Thilagam" was launched on 5 May 2018. While the soundtrack album features only five songs, in Telugu and Tamil versions. A sixth track of the film, titled "Gelupuleni Samaram" ("Amudhai Pola Kidaithaai" in Tamil), was released on 1 June 2018. The dual audio of "Mooga Manasulu" and "Mauna Mazhaiyile" was released on 27 June  2018, to commence the film's 50th day celebration. Reception. The album received positive reviews from critics. Archana Nathan of "Scroll.in" reviewed the soundtrack as "Mickey J Meyer's soundtrack for Mahanati has a song for each phase in Savitri's life, which is soulful and dramatic." "Firstpost"-based critic Mrudula Ramadugu stated it as one of the finest works of Mickey J Meyer, and summarised it as ""Mahanati"'s soulful music, is filled with tracks that are bound to make you nostalgic. Full of old world charm, the makers couldn't have produced a more apt playlist for legendary actor  Savitri's biopic. Infused with melodies, goofiness, love and pain, here is how each song of this period film got us humming and dwelling in emotions." "Indiaglitz" gave a rating of 3 out of 5 and stated "It's to director Nag Ashwin's credit that he defies cliches in conceiving the title song, 'Sada Ninnu', and 'Chivaraku Migiledi'.  With profound lyrics and enjoyable voices, the album is a winner." Calling it as an "impressive period soundtrack", Vipin Nair of "MusicAloud" rated the album 3.5 out of 5, with "Sada Nannu (Thandhaay)", "Aagipo Baalyama (Kutti Rani)" and "Mooga Manasulu (Mauna  Mazhaiyile)" as the favourite picks. "Desi Music Bazaar" rated the album 4.5 out of 5 and stated "Mickey J. Meyer brings out an astounding soundtrack for "Mahanati". The songs can definitely be enjoyed as standalone numbers as well as they can be joyfully experienced along with the visuals." "TeluguCinema" wrote that "The music album of Mahanati is not the regular song and dance album which you can hear on a daily basis. Every song has its own emotions and nicely depicts the story of Telugu film industry's biggest heroine to date. Mickey J Meyer brings his best as he  adds a lot of pain to every number. Some of the songs Sadaa Nannu and Mooga Manasulu have a very old school charm whereas the rest of them engross you into the mood of the bygone era in their very own way." Album credits. Credits adapted from Aditya Music