As someone who grew up watching films belonging to a variety of genres, composer Ajay Arasada desires to set tunes for songs in all the genres out there. Basking in the success of 'AAY', Ajay says that his aim is to compose music for commercial movies. "I always strive for trendy, commercially successful music. 'AAY' has certainly fetched me a good name," he says in this interview. Catch him talk more about his journey:

Where did you train in music?

I wasn't formally trained in music. Coming from a family with a musical background, I learned on my own. I started playing the guitar in childhood. Initially, I provided music for short films while also working as a software engineer at TCS. In 2014, I worked on a film titled Jagannatakam, which was my debut as a music director. In 2018, I quit my job to focus entirely on films. Since then, I have worked as a music director for the films Kirak, Nede Vidudala, Ksheerasagara Madanam, Sriranga Neethulu, and Missing. Recently, I composed music and background scores for three songs in the movie AAY.

What kind of recognition did AAY bring you?

I composed three songs and the background score for AAY, which has been a significant success, both in terms of drama and music. The film has earned me a lot of recognition. I composed the music for the item song, the pre-climax song, and the title song. Along with the songs, the background score has also been well received. The movie gave me more exposure, and the background music in the iconic scenes has received a lot of applause.

What’s the best compliment you received for the movie AAY?

Producer Bunny Vasu mentioned that the background music changed the way everyone experienced the movie. He specifically said that the background music in the climax scenes was a major highlight.

What do you consider your strength as a music director?

I am confident that when I compose songs and background scores, I can deliver a better output with full dedication. I have a strong interest in background music, and that’s where my strength lies. I composed the background music and a song for 'Save the Tigers'. The emotions in the second part were effectively conveyed through the background music. Providing background music for comedy movies also brings me great satisfaction.

Which genre of movies do you want to compose music for?

I want to work across all genres. Having grown up watching commercial movies, composing for them has become second nature to me. I am particularly interested in creating music for commercial films. My goal is to excel in this genre. I constantly think about how to make trendy music for commercial films. I believe that if you hum my background music, it's a hit. Comedy also falls within the commercial zone, and translating emotions into music is a significant challenge. Practical implementation is key, and I am very precise in this aspect. Many people also say that I excel at composing melody tunes.

What precautions do you take to avoid dominating your tune's lyrics?

I am a fan of Devi Sri Prasad in this regard. I follow his belief that if the tune complements the lyrics, the song will be remembered forever. I place great importance on melody.

What precautions do you take when it comes to background music?

Emotion is key. If the music conveys emotion, the background score will stand out. I believe that background music has the power to elevate the emotional impact of a scene.

What is your aim as a music director?

I made a significant step with the success of AAY. It proved that I can create music for a film that balances comedy, sentiment, and a range of emotions. Being a music director gives me the satisfaction of contributing to a story with a strong concept. My goal is to work on commercial films. As a music director at this stage of my career, I see opportunities in the Telugu film industry and am eager to pursue them. Currently, I am composing music for a web series called Vikata Kavi and a love story film titled Rajahmundry Rose Milk, a charming love story.