Veteran
writer-filmmaker
J
Mahendran,
who
is
teaming
up
with
maestro
Ilaiyaraaja
for
the
12th
time
for
a
yet-untitled
Tamil
project,
says
the
music
of
the
legendary
composer
has
been
the
soul
of
his
films.
Mahendran
and
Illayaraja
have
collaborated
for
films
such
as
Mullum
Malarum,
Pagalil
Oru
Iravu
and
Johnny.
"Usually,
filmmakers
rope
in
Ilaiyaraaja
expecting
some
chartbusters,
but
I
have
never
demanded
hit
music
from
him.
His
music
has
been
the
soul
of
my
films
for
over
a
decade
now.
We
have
worked
in
eleven
films
and
the
music
of
each
album
is
special," Mahendran
told
IANS.
"Our
relationship
has
gracefully
aged
with
us.
I
narrate
all
my
stories
first
to
him
and
then
to
others.
This
has
been
a
ritual
and
it
continues.
After
reading
my
story,
he
would
suggest
a
suitable
title.
He
will
also
suggest
a
title
for
my
latest
film," he
added.
He
says
the
composer's
music
becomes
the
narrative
in
his
films.
"Some
of
the
dialogues
in
my
films
are
wonderfully
complemented
by
his
music.
In
fact,
at
times
his
music
has
served
as
the
dialogues
in
some
of
my
films.
He
has
the
talent
to
use
his
music
to
build
a
narrative,"
said
Mahendran.
The
74-year
old
filmmaker,
who
has
worked
with
superstar
Rajinikanth
predominantly,
has
decided
to
work
with
newcomers
in
his
new
film.