Vikram is the soundtrack album composed by Anirudh Ravichander for the 2022 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film of the same name directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. Produced by Raaj Kamal Films International, the film features an ensemble cast with Kamal Haasan, Vijay Sethupathi and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles. The film marks Anirudh's second collaboration with Lokesh after Master (2021), and his first with Haasan, respectively.
Haasan, along with Vishnu Edavan and Heisenberg, wrote lyrics for the five-song soundtrack. The first track from the film, "Pathala Pathala", sung by Haasan was released as the lead single from the album on 11 May 2022, and the album was released by Sony Music on 15 May and received several million views which was the most viewed song on YouTube. The release coincided with a promotional event held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai, featuring the cast and crew, and other prominent celebrities in attendance. The soundtrack received highly positive response from critics and audiences appreciating Anirudh, for the compositions, musical approach and style.
Production
The album marked Anirudh's first collaboration with Haasan. It was intended to be his second film with the actor as Anirudh had previously signed to score for S. Shankar's Indian 2 and had composed all the tunes during December 2017 and 2018. The film's troubled production and the significant delays that it had caused, led Vikram to be the first film released from this collaboration. Lokesh Kanagaraj, insisted Anirudh's inclusion in the film, after previously working on Master.
Speaking to Ananda Vikatan, Lokesh had opined that Anirudh had "effortlessly created all the songs in the film, which he did never before for an action film". Anirudh worked continuously for 55–60 hours for Vikram'''s soundtrack. He also worked on the background score from early-May 2022, and did final mixing on the score, three days before the film's release.
Album information
"Pathala Pathala" was the lead single from the album, released on 11 May 2022. Written and sung by Haasan, it is a kuthu number, also featuring lines about politics and social issues. The song was recorded during May 2022 at Anirudh's Albuquerque Records studio in Chennai. It is choreographed by Sandy, and was shot at the outskirts of a railway station in Chennai. Haasan revealed the track as "one of his favourites from the album". The song was dubbed and released as "Mathuga Mathuga" in Telugu and "Badle Badle" in Hindi, for the soundtracks of Vikram Hitlist (dubbed versions of the film). While Haasan also sang for the dubbed versions, the Hindi version additionally featured an extended demo with rap verses performed by Raftaar.
"Porkanda Singam" is performed by Ravi G, who previously sang the tracks "Uyir Nadhi Kalangudhe" from Vedalam (2015) and "Naan Pizhai" from Kaathuvaakula Rendu Kaadhal (2022) composed by Anirudh. It is a melancholic number, focusing on the emotional side of Haasan's character, as he raises his grandson. The track also featured an EDM remixed version, with lyrics different to the original track. The track was released as a bonus track on 24 June 2022.
The title track of the film featured a remixed version of the title song, sung by Haasan, from the identically named 1986 film, and was used as minor cues for the track. The tracks were written by Vishnu Edavan, an assistant of Lokesh, who previously wrote two songs for the Master soundtrack. With "Porkanda Singam", being written first by Edavan, he sent few lyrics of the track to Lokesh, who appreciated it for being "emotional and touching". The album also featured, two songs with English lyrics, "Wasted" and "Once Upon a Time", both were written by Heisenberg and sung by Anirudh.
Release
The audio rights of the film were purchased by Sony Music. It was speculated that the makers planned to conduct the film's audio launch in United Arab Emirates. In May 2022, the producers officially announced that the film's audio launch event will be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai on 15 May 2022.