Destination Hollywood

HIS NAME brings to mind the trademark laughter that he has practised over the years. Actor, music director and humorist, Madan Bob is all set for Hollywood, to compose music for an animation film produced by the Los Angeles based August Entertainment Company (AEC).

"The offer came through my friend Randor Guy. I had scored music for his tele-serials. AEC was looking for a music director, and Randor Guy suggested my name. The animation film is on the lines of the Cindrella story. I sent a demo cassette and it clicked with the producers. And here I am, composing the background score for a Hollywood film," says Madan Bob with a smile.

In fact, it was Randor Guy who gave him a break with the television serial, "14th Virundazhi", based on the former DGP Pon Paramaguru's real life investigations.

Later Bob scored music for the stage shows of Y. G. Mahendra, S. Ve. Shekar and even for veteran Cho. Ramaswamy. "One day, Y. G. Mahendra asked me to do a cameo in his play, 'Romba Padichitten Sir'. I took up the role for the fun of it but it clicked with the audience. And what started as a hobby turned into a profession. I won the best actor award for 'August 10' and made my debut in movies with K. Balachander's 'Vaname Ellai'. Again I won the best comedian award for 'Jadhimalli'. I won the best music director award for the play, "Oorarinda Ragasiyam' from the Mylapore Academy".

As an actor he has become a must in almost all Kamal Hassan starrers from "Thevar Magan" to "Tenali". And presently his acting assignments include movies for Sunder C., Ezhil and K. Rajan.

"I never dreamt that one day I would become an actor. My interest since childhood was in music. When we were young, we used to go to exhibitions with our parents. Once they bought me a bulbul tara. The first tune I played was "Jana gana mana". I learned to play the mridangam from Vinayaka Rao master. Later, I graduated in 8th grade from the Trinity College of Music, London."When he composed music for the first time, Madan Bob was not alone. He formed a team with his brother Babu. And that's how the name Madan Bob came about. And he retained the name, even after his brother quit the scene.

"My real name is Krishna-murthy. Ours is a joint family and my uncle's chittappa's name too is Krishnamurthy. When the elders pulled me up for some mischief and started shouting `ennada Krishnamurthy', he used to get upset. This lead to problems and so my name was changed to Madan," he discloses.

Other little known facts about Madan is that he is a yoga buff, karate expert and used to be a heavyweight boxer during his student days at Thyagaraya College, Chennai. Also, his family is full of musicians.

His wife Susheela is a singer, son Archit is a singer as well as a keyboard player and daughter Janani is a guitarist.

The family has performed together, both in India and abroad. "Come June, and we will be flying to London, Paris and the U.S.A. for stage shows", says a beaming Madan Bob.

Currently, Madan Bob's parody on old hits, 'Naan Kedutha Paadal' is being re-telecast on Vijay TV on Sunday evenings. "I have a few more ideas like this. I am happy this particular series has become a trendsetter of sorts".

This year, he is planning to come up with a game show, talk show and a serial. "The concept is ready for these events and I hope they will take shape soon."

Looking at the statue of the Laughing Buddha, he adds, "My sole aim is to make people laugh. One should master the art of smiling for a happy living. For, laughter is the best medicine."

M. L. NARASIMHAM

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