Exploring Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Unique Playlist: From “Chakku Chakku Vathic Kuchi” to “Karu Karupaayi”

Lokesh Kanagaraj, the acclaimed director known for his distinct cinematic style, has been making waves not just with his films but also with his carefully curated soundtracks. Influenced by Hollywood, particularly Quentin Tarantino, Kanagaraj has a knack for juxtaposing songs in unexpected situations, much like the renowned filmmaker. A look at the peculiar use of old songs in Lokesh's films One of the standout features of Kanagaraj’s films is his revival of forgotten Tamil songs. In his latest venture, “Vikram” (2022), he reintroduced the song “Chakku Chakku Vathic Kuchi” from the 1995 Tamil sci-fi film “Asuran” as the background score, garnering over 9.4 million streams on YouTube. This trend continues in his other films, with tracks like “Karu Karupaayi” from “Eazhaiyin Sirippil” and AR Rahman’s “Jumbalakka” in “Kaithi.” On YouTube, there are numerous playlists dedicated to Kanagaraj’s musical choices, showcasing the resonance these songs have with audiences. What sets these s...