G. V. Prakash on Ajith's 'Good Bad Ugly' And Completing 10 Years Of Acting in Cinema

G.V. Prakash Kumar calls Good Bad Ugly one of the most challenging projects he’s ever worked on. 

“It’s because I entered the project quite late — just in the last 30 days — and I had exactly one month to score for the film, as well as compose fresh music for songs that had already been shot. In fact, the entire film was completed; so I basically had the final visual footage in hand, and my songs had to match the lip sync throughout the duration. It wasn’t easy... but I’d worked on something similar while composing for Un Mela Aasadhaan in Aayirathil Oruvan, so my team and I put our heads down and went all out to ensure we met the deadline.”

He credits his equation with director Adhik Ravichandran as the main reason to take up the film at such a late stage, with the confidence that he could pull it off. “I was fully aware of the limitations, but Adhik and I know each other so well from our earlier two successes in Trisha Illana Nayanthara and Mark Antony. When two people have such a solid working relationship, it makes the job easier. Good Bad Ugly’s score is designed inch-by-inch for a theatrical experience to the hilt, set to elevate each frame and Ajith sir’s performance. There are atleast 25 such ‘mass’ moments.”

He adds, “It’s so different from the last time I composed for an Ajith film — Kireedam (2007) that was 18 years ago! That album was really classy and entirely in lieu of the storyline. For GBU, it was all about matching the huge expectations. I really do think fans are going to love it and will have an euphoric experience in the theatres... especially with all the pop-culture references sprinkled throughout the screenplay.”

G.V. Prakash during the composing of 'Good Bad Ugly'

But one does wonder how G.V. manages to be so prolific; not only does he compose for around eight films a year regularly (Captain Miller, Thangalaan, Amaran and Lucky Bhaskar were some of his biggest hits in 2024, with NEEK and Veera Dheera Sooran already starting this year on a high), but he’s also completed a decade as an actor with his last release Kingston, his 25th film. 

“Yes... I debuted as an actor with Darling (2015). It’s been an enjoyable decade for me in front of the camera too; my favourite film as an actor has been Naachiyaar (2018) as I had someone like Bala sir explaining the nuance and balance of every scene to me. The key to managing my projects — both as composer and actor — is that I’m extremely upfront about what I can or can’t do, no matter who is asking me. I keep up my word 100 percent and stick to deadlines. That’s one of the most important things in this profession which makes people trust you.”

But he’s more keen to talk about his composing and insists that audiences haven’t seen him explore his full potential yet. “There’s still another side to my work that needs to be tapped into; something I really want to attempt next is a futuristic score for a sci-fi film. The thing is, we are always working within a creator’s vision and on their timelines. Having said that, I ensure that if one song in an album is made especially for a Reel to go viral, another one is to my liking... that balance is essential. Take NEEK for instance; we had a viral hit like Golden Sparrow, but also a melody like Yedi, which is one of my best compositions in recent times.”

“But you gotta wait for those chances in films, as it’s really those authentic bits that stand the test of time... like the violin portion from Amaran, or the Polladhavan Bike Theme that is still used as a ringtone after 18 years!” he muses.

Director Vetrimaaran with G.V. Prakash

The 37-year-old, a National Award winner for his score in Soorarai Pottru (2020), is next reuniting with director Sudha Kongara for Parasakthi that stars the likes of Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan and others. But he picks Mental Manadhil with Selvaraghavan — G.V. is producing, acting and composing for the romance-drama — as the project he’s looking most forward to. “There’s also Dhanush’s Idly Kadai, Vetrimaaran’s Vaadivaasal and Venky Atluri’s next with Suriya... lots to be excited about and be thankful for,” he signs off.