Money drives me: Koduri Kalyan

It had been Koduri Kalyan’s fancy to collaborate with filmmaker Teja for many years now. But it was with 'Hora Hori' that he finally realised his wish. “I’ve been waiting to do a film with him for the past five years and I even approached him for the same.

Even he was keen on the collaboration,” he recalls, adding, “I was supposed to compose for his last two films but somehow things failed to materialise. I am glad that I finally got the opportunity with ‘Hora Hori’.”

However, working with Teja was not an easy job. “We are both short-tempered (individuals) and there was an instance where I thought of leaving the project. By then I had composed four out of the eight songs (of the film). Somehow we compromised and eventually completed the project,” Koduri sighs.

Ask him why he wanted to leave the project and he replies, “Teja wants his technicians to be with him all the time. I somehow was unhappy with it as I felt suffocated. I couldn’t adjust to it, and that led to arguments. If it wasn’t for his assistant Rakesh’s intervention I would have definitely exited the project.”

Working style aside, there were no creative differences, insists Koduri. Citing an example, he says, “Taking his cue, I composed the chartbuster Naa gunde chappudu in less than three minutes. He gave it a thumbs-up straightaway, declaring that it will strike a chord with the audiences. He is someone who gets the best out of technicians.”

The album’s success, shares Kalyan, can be credited to Teja. “His situations and concepts helped me to give my best. It is one of the most satisfying albums in my career as it is a mix of mass numbers, contemporary fast numbers and melodies. I remember him calling me one day and asking me to come up with a tune for the phrase Chachchipovalanundhi.

It took me less than 15 minutes to get the job done.” Considering the differences that rose between the two, would he be open to working with Teja again? “I don’t know,” he responds. “May be if someone from the production team ensures that a healthy working atmosphere is created, we may work together again.”

In the industry for more than 15 years, he has done only 13 films till now. Put that to him, pat comes the reply, “To be honest I was never flooded with offers. After ‘Ala Modalaindi’, I simply sat at home for a year without work. Some people claimed that I intentionally didn’t do films but the thing is I didn’t get any work and if you ask me why I don’t have an answer.”

Ask him whether he looks up to someone for inspiration and he says, “Money drives me. Factors like leading a luxurious life and fulfilling the duties of a husband and father motivate me to work.”