Anirudh Ravichander’s name has become a shorthand for chart‑topping soundtracks, and his calendar is reportedly packed from Chennai to Mumbai. Yet a new rumour swirling in film‑industry circles suggests he may have to split duties with another heavyweight composer, S. Thaman, on an upcoming Salman Khan‑starrer produced by Dil Raju and Vamshi Paidipally.
The buzz began after insiders noted that Dil Raju, who recently launched the Salman project on set, has been in talks with Anirudh to handle the film’s song sequences while Thaman would be retained for the background score. No official announcement has been made, and the details could not be confirmed at press time.
In the past three years Anirudh has moved from being a breakout talent with “Why This Kolaveri Di?” to the highest‑paid music director in Indian cinema, with reports placing his fee above that of Oscar‑winner A. R. Rahman. He is currently scoring Nani’s Telugu drama The Paradise, a Koratala Siva‑backed venture, and a Nandamuri Balakrishna vehicle, while also attached to the Allu Arjun‑Lokesh Kanagaraj collaboration.
The Bollywood Crossover
The Salman‑Khan film, still untitled, marks Dil Raju’s first foray into the Hindi market. Early production reports indicate that Thaman, who has already delivered background scores for several Hindi action films, was signed months ago. The novelty lies in the proposed division of labour: Anirudh would compose the lyrical songs, a role traditionally reserved for a single composer in South Indian productions, while Thaman would craft the underscore.
Industry analysts note that Bollywood has long embraced multi‑composer line‑ups—think Kabir Singh or M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story—but such arrangements remain rare in the South, especially for composers of Anirudh’s stature. “If Anirudh agrees, it could set a new collaborative precedent,” said a senior music‑label executive who asked to remain unnamed.
Potential Roadblocks
Both composers have distinct musical signatures. Anirudh leans on synth‑heavy, youth‑centric beats, whereas Thaman’s strength lies in high‑octane, orchestral arrangements. Melding the two could risk a tonal clash, a concern echoed by a veteran film‑journalist who observed, “Fans expect a cohesive soundscape; splitting the score might feel disjointed.”
On the other hand, the producers argue that the dual‑composer model could broaden the film’s appeal, catering to both Hindi‑market sensibilities and the pan‑Indian audience that follows Anirudh’s Tamil and Telugu hits.
With the film slated for a late‑2026 release, the window for finalising the music team is narrowing. Anirudh’s schedule is already tight, and any agreement would likely require a clear demarcation of responsibilities and revenue sharing. Until an official statement surfaces, the industry will watch closely to see whether the two maestros will indeed share the same reel.
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