Hamsalekha, Ravichandran part company
Producer-director-actor V Ravichandran and music director Hamsalekha, who first joined hands to give the massive hit Prema Loka, the trendsetting Kannada film in 1987, and thereafter worked together for around 25 films, have parted ways. The duo had become near-inseparable. On the success of the Kannada film, Putnanja, the duo declared they would work for over 50 films, together, creating a record in the Indian film industry.

Hamsalekha was introduced to V Ravichandran’s family by noted writer and comedian, NS Rao. He proved he was capable of writing lyrics that the common people could identify with. Hamsalekha’s inventive ways served Ravichandran’s interests film after film. The duo may be credited with opening up a new market for the Kannada audio industry. In the process Hamsalekha earned money and popularity, working with other banners, too. And although he was a busy man, the quality of his lyrics and music has been good, but never more so than for Ravichandran’s films. When people asked him if he reserved his best for Ravichandran, Hamsalekha said the success of their music was owing to Ravichandran’s ability to extract the best out of him.

A few top producers in the industry tried to create a truce between Hamsalekha and Ravichandran at a meeting held in the absence of Hamsalekha at Ravichandran’s residence. The magnanimity of Ravichandran was such that he agreed with no condition even on the issue of payments. When producer Sa Ra Govindu who had lost heavily from a Ravichandran starrer a few months ago, said Hamsalekha would be scoring the music for his film, Ravichandran said he had no objections to that. "It is your look-out, and I will not interfere in that.

There will be no conditions from my side," Ravichandran assured Govindu.
Later, at the pooja of Ghattimela, the Kannada film starring Shruti and Mahender, Hamsalekha said, "I will never score music for Ravichandran’s films again. I have fifteen films on hand, so I have no cause for worry."

Ravichandran the proud owner of the first DTS studio in Bangalore now has to face stiff competition. Hamsalekha’s DTS studio is also fully equipped and ready for inauguration.

Vashistha