Animal Composer Harshavardhan On Working With Sandeep Reddy Vanga: 'It’s Like Recharging My System' | Exclusive
Music composer Harshavardhan churned out one of the most impressive background scores for Animal, but he seems to have no airs about him in a candid chat with News 18.
Fresh off the nationwide acclaim for his emotional background score in Animal, composer Harshavardhan is stepping into new territory: Malayalam cinema. Known best for collaborating with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, the Chennai-based musician opens up about his career, his creative bond with director Arjun Reddy and his much-anticipated debut in Anomie, a psychological thriller starring Bhavana and Rahman.
Animal was a national breakthrough for you. What went into crafting that distinct score?
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It started with my collaboration with Sandeep, which began during Arjun Reddy. We’ve had this understanding from then, and that helped us again in Animal. During the lockdown years, we had plenty of time to discuss ideas. We wanted the sound to stand out—like the Tabbar Brothers unite music or that signature whistle music from the film’s opening. We didn’t plan it for praise, but it genuinely came from a place of experimentation, and everything fell into place organically.
Let’s go back to the beginning—how did you become a composer?
I’m from a musical family in Chennai. My father was a percussionist who worked on Ilaiyaraaja sir’s first film Annakili and later with Rahman sir. So, I naturally started with rhythm and percussion. I worked as a programmer for years—especially in Kannada films—before getting my first big break with Arjun Reddy. That was my official debut as a composer.
Your collaboration with Sandeep Reddy Vanga has been particularly fruitful. What’s special about that dynamic?
He’s my first director and someone I’d call a godfather. I worked with Radhan on Arjun Reddy initially, but Sandeep noticed my involvement and eventually gave me full credit for the background score, which was a surprise. He understands my musical instincts, and I understand his cinematic rhythm. It’s like all the cables are connected—we know each other’s language without much talk. That kind of trust is rare.
Every time I work with him, it’s like recharging my system. He’s full of energy and has a clear vision. He pushes me to dig deeper and find something emotionally powerful and fresh. His confidence in me helps bring out my best.
Do you believe it’s the director’s job to extract the best from a composer, or should the composer adapt to the director?
It has to work both ways. The director needs to know how to guide and inspire, and the composer has to read the director’s mind. If that connection is weak, it leads to confusion and mismatched outcomes. With Sandeep, I can bring a completely new idea, and if he connects with it, he commits without hesitation. That clarity empowers me to take risks.
You’re now debuting in Malayalam with Anomie. Tell us about the film and your role in it.
Anomie is a psychological thriller directed by Riyas Marath, and it’s produced by Sachin Singh Cinema. They approached me after hearing my work in Animal. Initially, I couldn’t commit due to scheduling, but they came back three months later. When I saw the showreel, I immediately knew it was something special. The film builds suspense gradually and culminates in a gripping climax. Riyas was very open to experimenting with sound, which made the process exciting.
What comes after Anomie?
I’m currently working on Nobody, for which I’m doing both songs and score. After that, there’s another Malayalam project titled Thotam. I’m happy to explore different industries—it’s all Indian cinema now. Language doesn’t matter as much as the story and the music.
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