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Prashant Pillai | |
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| Born | 8 September 1981 |
| Origin | Pune, Maharashtra, India |
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| Years active | 2000–present |
| Labels | Madras Blues Records (present) |
| Website | PrashantPillai.com |
Prashant Pillai (born 8 September 1981) is a music producer and composer from India.
 | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification .(December 2019) |
After completing his Sound engineering in Chennai, he went on to work with A.R.Rahman. After a short stint with him, he moved on and settled in Pune, where he started scoring for ad jingles, web sonics, and short films. Pillai considers A.R.Rahman to be his professional guide and mentor.
In early 2004, Pillai got his first break to compose a radio jingle and then went on to compose jingles, for both radio and television consumption.
In the year 2007, Prashant scored music for Bejoy Nambiar's, critically acclaimed short film Rahu where he teamed with singer K. S. Krishnan. Bejoy's uncanny knack of selecting unusual and experimental sounds, resulted in Prashant working on a soundtrack, which he still claims to be his best. Rahu soundtrack features Murtaza and Qadir Khan, sons of the Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan. They feature in the soundtrack for the Sufi song, "Betaabi". This song was later used in a Malayalam film City of God .
Prashant's first break in feature films came when debutant Lijo Jose Pellissery roped him for the Malayalam film Nayakan , in March 2010. The film featured actors like Indrajith, Thilakan, Siddique and Jagathy Sreekumar in pivotal roles. Academy Award winner A. R. Rahman released the music of the movie. [1] [2]
Prashant's mentor A.R.Rahman released the soundtrack of Nayakan on 16 March 2010, at Rahman's Panchathan Studios in Chennai. [3] [4] [5] The Nayakan soundtrack features, 6 songs, one of which is sung by Indrajith (the lead of the film) himself. Prashant worked on this project for over one and a half years, and has fused in elements that is new to the Malayali audience.
In 2011, Prashant collaborated with Lijo once again for City of God [6] which opened to mixed reviews. [7] [8] The movie stars Prithviraj and Indrajith as pivotal characters, along with Parvathi, Rima Kallingal and Shwetha Menon.
In 2011, he made his debut into commercial cinema with the Bollywood film Shaitan , [9] directed by his now close friend, mentor and director Bejoy Nambiar, for which Pillai has scored majority of the songs. The film, produced by Anurag Kashyap has a unique soundscape to it; co-composed by eminent composers like Ranjit Barot, Amar Mohile and Anupam Roy. In the same year Prashant scored the original background music for the Malayalam film Bombay March 12 starring National Award winner Mammootty directed by screenwriter Babu Janardhan.
2012 saw Prashant scoring the background music for Siddarth Bharathan's Nidra a remake of his father Bharathan's 1981 film also titled Nidra. The film wasn't a commercial hit, but the film and its score was appreciated for its definitive style.Prashant also scored background music for MTV Rush, a series of 12 short stories on the leading music and entertainment television channel MTV, directed by Bejoy Nambiar of Shaitan fame.
Jan 2013 saw the release of Prashant's third soundtrack for Bejoy Nambiar, in his film, David. The soundtrack, which was supervised and co-produced by Prashant, is a compilation of various bands like Bram Fatura, Light Years Explode, MaatiBaani as also artists like Remo Fernandes, Anirudh Ravichander and Mikey McCleary. Apart from sound design, Prashant's tracks in the film feature eminent singers like Lucky Ali, Karthik, Shweta Pandit and Naresh Iyer. The film stars Vikram, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Jiiva, Isha Sharvani and Tabu among others, released in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. He also composed the background score for the Hindi film Issaq directed by Manish Tiwary.
Post City of God [6] Prashant composed the music for Lijo Jose Pellissery's Malayalam musical film titled Amen . The music became very popular and the film subsequently became a major blockbuster. The album featured artists like Ramya Nambeesan, Alyssa Mendonsa and Lucky Ali. This is a romantic comedy featuring actors Indrajith Sukumaran, Fahadh Faasil, Swati of Subramaniapuram fame and Kalabhavan Mani among others. Prashant was subsequently roped in by veteran filmmaker Lal Jose for Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal .
In 2014, composed for Ajith Pillai's Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal and debutant Santhosh Nair's Money Ratnam . 2015 saw four of his films release one of which was Double Barrel , his fourth collaboration with filmmaker Lijo Jose Pellissery and his debut Tamil film Andhra Mess .
| Year | Title | Genre | Group | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Om Ganeshaya Namaha (as Prashant Pillai) | Devotional | – | Independent |
| 2005 | Amhi Puneri (as Prashant Pillai) | Pop | – | Independent |
| 2011 | debut (as Prashant Pillai) | World/Fusion/Lounge | Groove Loves Company | Madras Blues Rechords |
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Nayakan | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score |
| 2011 | City of God | ||
| Shaitan | Hindi | 7 of 14 songs featured the film | |
| Bombay March 12 | Malayalam | Background Score only. | |
| 2012 | Nidra | ||
| Nee Ko Njaa Cha | Songs only. | ||
| 2013 | David | Hindi / Tamil | 3 Songs |
| Amen | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| 5 Sundarikal | Song and Background Score for Isha | ||
| Sixteen | Hindi | 3 Songs and Background Score | |
| Issaq | Background Score only. | ||
| Zachariayude Garbhinikal | Malayalam | ||
| Ezhu Sundara Rathrikal | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| 2014 | Mosayile Kuthira Meenukal | ||
| Money Ratnam | |||
| Mamachya Gavala Jaaoo Yaa | Marathi | ||
| 2015 | Chandrettan Evideya | Malayalam | |
| Double Barrel | |||
| Rockstar | |||
| 2016 | Wazir | Hindi | 1 song only. |
| Anuraga Karikkin Vellam | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| 2017 | Angamaly Diaries | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score |
| Sakhavu | |||
| Keshava | Telugu | Background Score only | |
| Varnyathil Ashanka | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| Solo | Malayalam / Tamil | 1 Song + Background Score ( for Blind ) | |
| 2018 | Mukkabaaz | Hindi | Background Score only |
| Ee.Ma.Yau | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| Andhra Mess | Tamil | ||
| Padayottam (2018 film) | Malayalam | ||
| French Viplavam | |||
| 2019 | Unda | ||
| Jallikattu | |||
| Ranarangam | Telugu | Background score, 2 songs only | |
| Mariyam Vannu Vilakkoothi | Malayalam | Additional songs only. | |
| Sayanna Varthakal | Songs and Background Score | ||
| Chappad Phaad Ke | Hindi | Independent film directly released on OTT platform, Hotstar.Songs and Background Score | |
| 2020 | Bamfaad | Background Score only.Directly released on OTT platform, ZEE5 | |
| Saajan Bakery | Malayalam | Songs and Background Score | |
| Taish | Hindi | 2 songs only | |
| 2021 | Chathuram | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Kathir | Tamil | |
| 2023 | Malaikottai Valiban | Malayalam |
| Year | Title | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Rahu | Malayalam | Co-composed with Krishnan. Credited as Prashant-Krishnan Songs and Background Score |
| 2012 | Kaun Kamleshwar | Hindi | Songs and Background Score |
| 2017 | LAFS | Hindi | Background Score |
Nayakan (transl. Hero) is a 2010 Indian Malayalam-language neo-noir crime film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by P. S. Rafeeque. It stars Indrajith Sukumaran, Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Dhanya Mary Varghese and Siddique. The film revolves around a Kathakali artist, Vardanunni, who joins the underworld to take revenge on those who killed his family and destroyed his life.
Indrajith Sukumaran is an Indian actor and singer. He predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. Indrajith was born to the actors Sukumaran and Mallika Sukumaran and is the elder brother of actor Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Junior Mandrake is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Ramasimhan aka Ali Akbar and written by Benny P. Nayarambalam from a story by Arun Kudamaloor. The plot revolves around the carriers of a mysterious bust named Junior Mandrake, which is believed to bring misfortune to those who possess it. The film stars Jagadish, Jagathy Sreekumar, Rajan P. Dev and Janardhanan. The music was provided by the Berny-Ignatius duo. The bust in the movie eventually developed into a cult and is often referred during several situations in the life of a Malayali. In 2010, a sequel titled Senior Mandrake was released.
Renganaath Ravee is an Indian sound designer, sound editor and documentary filmmaker.
City of God is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by Babu Janardhanan. It tells the story of Tamil migrant workers and a team of land mafia gangsters in the city of Cochin, Kerala. It stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, Rajeev Pillai, Rohini, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Rima Kallingal and Swetha Menon.
Bombay March 12 is a 2011 Malayalam–language Indian drama film based on the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts. The film marks the directorial debut of noted screenwriter Babu Janardhanan. Mammootty, Roma and Unni Mukundan play the lead roles. The narrative is in a hyperlink format. It was released in theatres on 30 June 2011. It was dubbed in Hindi as Hadsa Bombay March 12.
Shaitan (transl. Devil) is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film directed by Bejoy Nambiar in his feature film debut and produced by Anurag Kashyap, Sunil Bohra, Guneet Monga and Nambiar himself under the banners Anurag Kashyap Films and Getaway Films, which was co-produced and distributed by Viacom18 Motion Pictures. The script was written by Nambiar and Megha Ramaswamy. The film stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Kalki Koechlin, Gulshan Devaiah, Shiv Panditt, Neil Bhoopalam, Kirti Kulhari, Rajit Kapoor, Pawan Malhotra and Rajkummar Rao. Based on the 2007 murder of Adnan Patrawala incident, the film revolves around five friends who wanted to live an adventurous life gets embroiled in a crime.
Nidra is a 2012 Indian Malayalam-language romantic thriller film directed by Sidharth Bharathan in his directorial debut. A remake of the 1981 film of the same name directed by Sidharth's father Bharathan, it stars Sidharth Bharathan alongside Rima Kallingal and Jishnu in the main roles.It marks the second collaboration of Jishnu and Sidharth and comeback of Jishnu Raghavan Sidharth co-wrote the adapted screenplay with noted author Santhosh Echikkanam. The songs were composed by Jassie Gift and the background score was by Prashant Pillai. The cinematography was handled by Sameer Thahir.
David is a 2013 Indian crime film directed by Bejoy Nambiar, starring Vikram, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Vinay Virmani in the title role, alongside Tabu, Monica Dogra, Lara Dutta and Isha Sharvani. The film was simultaneously shot in Tamil under the same title with Jiiva replacing Virmani. The plot revolves around the lives of three different men named David, who are about to take a step which is going to change their lives forever. Both the Hindi and Tamil versions were released on 1 February 2013.
Lijo Jose Pellissery is an Indian filmmaker and actor who works in Malayalam cinema. He also known as the "Master Of Chaos". He is notable for unconventional approach in directing, his films are characterized by nonlinear storylines and very long takes. He is also known for his short production time. His movies like Ee.Ma.Yau and Churuli were shot in less than 20 days. His best works include Amen (2013), Angamaly Diaries (2017), Ee.Ma.Yau. (2018), Jallikattu (2019), Churuli (2021), and Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam (2023). He is the son of actor Jose Pellissery.
Amen is a 2013 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by P. S. Rafeeque from a story by Pellissery. The film revolves around the events that happen in a picturesque Kuttanadan village following the arrival of a young priest and a star-crossed lovers. The film stars Fahadh Faasil, Indrajith Sukumaran, Kalabhavan Mani, and Swathi Reddy. The film's songs and background score was composed by Prashant Pillai.
New generation films is a Malayalam film movement developed in the early 2010s, characterized by fresh and unusual themes and new narrative techniques. Films of the new wave differ from conventional themes of the past two decades and introduced several new trends and techniques to the Malayalam film industry. While the new generation formats and styles are deeply influenced by global trends, their thematics are firmly rooted in Malayalee life and mindscapes.
Michael McCleary is a New Zealand songwriter, composer, performer, producer and director based in Mumbai, India since 2007. He has worked on a large number of advertisements such as for brands like Levi's, Coca-Cola, Vodafone etc. and films such as Waiting, Margarita with a Straw, Shaitan, Shanghai, David, Bombay Velvet, Nautanki Saala, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Shaandaar etc.
P. S. Rafeeque is an Indian short story writer, screenwriter and lyricist from Kerala. He made his film debut by screenwriting Nayakan (2010). His breakthrough film was Amen (2013). In literature his notable works are Saddam's Barber, Kaduva, Amen (screenplay), Ummoommamapalam Kadanna Eppi. He also wrote the screenplays for the films Raja of Utyopya, Thrissivaperur Kliptham and Thottappan.
Double Barrel is a 2015 Indian Malayalam-language parody gangster film written, directed and co-produced by Lijo Jose Pellissery. It was jointly produced by August Cinema and Amen Movie Monastery. The film stars an ensemble cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Indrajith Sukumaran, Arya, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sunny Wayne, Swathi Reddy, Isha Sharvani, Vijay Babu, Poornima Indrajith, Anil Radhakrishnan Menon, Thomas Berly, Sherrin Varghese, Parvathi Menon, Sabumon Abdusamad, Rachana Narayanankutty, Anil Murali, Asif Ali and Pearle Maaney. Prashant Pillai composed the music, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Abinandhan Ramanujam and Manoj-Sathyaraj Natarajan.
Abinandhan Ramanujam is an Indian cinematographer who works primarily in Malayalam and Tamil films.
Angamaly Diaries is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language crime film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by Chemban Vinod Jose. The film features 86 debutant actors with Antony Varghese, Anna Rajan, Kichu Tellus, Ullas Jose Chemban, Vineeth Vishwam, Bitto Davis, Tito Wilson, Sarath Kumar, and Sinoj Varghese playing the main roles. It marks Vijay Babu's first sole production under Friday Film House. The film features an uncut 11-minute long take in the climax featuring around 1000 artists.
Solo is the soundtrack to the 2017 Indian anthology film of the same name released in Malayalam and Tamil. Directed by Bejoy Nambiar, Solo consists of four shorter films in the anthology and was shot simultaneously in Tamil and Malayalam. Composers who worked on the film are Prashant Pillai, Thaikkudam Bridge, Masala Coffee, Gaurav Godkhindi, Agam, Filter Coffee, Brodha V, TaalAtma, Abhinav Bhansal, Sooraj Kurup and Sez on the Beat. The album has 22 songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi and English. The whole soundtrack lasts about an hour.
Jallikattu is a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language independent action thriller film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery with a screenplay by S. Hareesh and R. Jayakumar, based on the short story Maoist by Hareesh. The film stars Antony Varghese, Chemban Vinod Jose, Sabumon Abdusamad and Santhy Balachandran. The plot follows a bull that escapes from a slaughterhouse in a hilly remote village, and the chaos that ensues as the village's men gather to hunt it down.
Malaikottai Vaaliban is an upcoming Indian Malayalam-language period western action film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and written by P. S. Rafeeque. It was produced by John & Mary Creative, along with Century Films, Maxlab Cinemas and Entertainments, Yoodlee Films, and Amen Movie Monastery. The film stars Mohanlal. The music was composed by Prashant Pillai.
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