Mani Sharma’s Revelations: Aadi’s Music Controversy and Challenges in Today’s Cinema

Renowned for his musical prowess in the 2000s Telugu and Tamil cinema, composer Mani Sharma recently unveiled an intriguing aspect of his past repertoire during an interview. Addressing a sensitive query about replicating music, Sharma candidly acknowledged an incident dating back to 2002 concerning the song “Chiki Chiki” from the film Aadi, featuring Jr NTR and Keerthi Chawla.

In a revelation that surprised many, Sharma disclosed the song’s inspiration from Turkish singer-songwriter Tarkan’s chartbuster, “Şımarık” (also known as “Kiss Kiss”). Despite the homage, this admission sparked attention, given the iconic stature of Tarkan’s creation across European charts.

Aadi, directed by V V Vinayak, marked Jr NTR’s prominent entry into the industry and emerged as a colossal success, later finding adaptations in Tamil and Bengali as “Jai” and “Surya,” respectively.

However, Sharma’s revelations didn’t solely centre on his musical journey but extended to his sentiments regarding opportunities in contemporary cinema. Expressing his disappointment, he conveyed, “The only thing that hurts me is the big stars are not ready to work with me anymore.”

Highlighting a desire for equal opportunities alongside peers like Devi Sri Prasad and Thaman, Sharma emphasized the importance of fair consideration among leading stars. Despite acknowledging the changing landscape, he sought a more inclusive approach in film collaborations.

Once celebrated as the ‘Melody Brahma,’ Sharma’s presence in recent years has witnessed a relative decline. Although he contributed music to films like Kartikeya Gummakonda’s “Bedurulanka 2012” and the Kannada project “Martin” starring Dhruva Sarja in 2023, his footprint in contemporary cinema seems limited.

However, amidst this shift, Sharma remains involved in upcoming projects, including the much-anticipated sequel “Double iSmart” featuring Ram Pothineni under Puri Jagannadh’s direction, and Vishnu Manchu’s venture “Kannappa,” reinforcing his enduring presence in the industry.

As the landscape of cinema continues to evolve, Mani Sharma’s legacy stands as a testament to an era defined by his musical brilliance, offering timeless melodies that resonate with audiences across generations. Composer Mani Sharma’s recent revelation about the music inspiration behind Aadi’s “Chiki Chiki” sheds light on a past controversy, while his sentiments about limited opportunities in today’s cinema highlight the evolving dynamics in the industry. Despite a quieter presence, Sharma remains committed to upcoming projects, maintaining his enduring legacy in the realm of Telugu and Tamil cinema.

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