Annaatthe () is the soundtrack album composed by D. Imman from the 2021 Tamil film of the same name, starring Rajinikanth and the film was directed by Siva. The film marked Imman's first collaboration with Rajinikanth and second collaboration with Siva after Viswasam (2019). The album featured six songs consisting of varied genres and sung by different singers; lyrics written by Thamarai, Viveka, Yugabharathi, Arun Bharathi, Mani Amuthavan and Arivu. On 2 October 2021, the track "Annaatthe Annaatthe" was released as the first single from the film. This track was sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who had sung most of the introductory songs of films featuring Rajinikanth; it marked his last film song before his death in September 2020. The track was released posthumously as an heartfelt tribute to the late singer. The singles – "Saara Kaatrae" and "Marudhaani" were released on 6 and 11 October respectively. The audio album released in jukebox format on YouTube on 25 October, and a week later (1 November), the songs were released through streaming platforms. It was launched without a promotional event due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
Development
The film marked D. Imman's first collaboration with Rajinikanth, second collaboration with Siva and the production house after Viswasam and Namma Veettu Pillai (2019); his work in the former fetched him National Film Award for Best Music Direction. In an interview with Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express, Imman said that "Fans expect certain factors from Rajinikanth's songs. On the other hand, I want the album to carry my identity as well. I have to cater to both. In addition to that, Rajini sir is acting in a full-fledged rural entertainer after a while. So, the album should justify all these aspects." Composition of the songs held during January–March 2020, and after being interrupted due to COVID-19 lockdowns in that month; was later resumed on November. The music works of the film were completed within February 2021.
The album will reportedly have six tunes; five songs and a theme track, and feature lyrics written by Thamarai, Viveka, Yugabharathi, Arun Bharathi, Mani Amuthavan and Arivu. Imman said that the album will consist songs of varied genres: a mass track (which is the opening song of the film), melody, dance and festive numbers. Sun Pictures had planned to withhold the audio rights, along with the satellite and digital rights of the film and had planned to release the entire soundtrack the company.
One of the songs is an introductory number sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, who had crooned for most of the actor's introductory songs. The track was written by Viveka, and was reportedly considered to be a "highly-energetic number", and also the "best-ever opening song" for Rajinikanth, according to Imman. It was the last song he recorded before his death on 25 September 2020. The album will feature songs sung by K. S. Chithra, Sid Sriram, Shreya Ghoshal, Vandana Srinivasan, Nakash Aziz, Anthony Daasan, Arivu, Mukesh Mohammed, Nochipatti Thirumoorthy, Keezhakkarai Samsudheen, Anirudh Ravichander, Diwakar and D. Imman himself. However, the songs by Anirudh and Diwakar, were not included in the final tracklist. In October 2021, he brought in Nadaswaram exponent, Dr. K. P. Kumaran from Jaffna, to record an instrumental track for one of the songs in the album.
Track listing
Background score
The original soundtrack was released by Sun Pictures on 12 December 2021, which coincides Rajinikanth's Birthday.
Release
It has been falsely reported that the first single (later deciphered as the title track "Annaatthe Annaatthe") will be released on 25 September 2021, coinciding Balasubrahmanyam's death anniversary, in order to pay a heartfelt tribute to the singer. However, Imman decided against doing so, as the song release will become a celebration among the fans and the track being unveiled on a mourning day will not be considered as a right tribute, which as a result the song release was postponed to a later date. While asking about the song, Imman said that the song will be "an energetic song from the voice of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, and also an emotional one due to the singer's untimely death".