RDX: Robert Dony Xavier is the soundtrack to the 2023 film of the same name directed by Nahas Hidayath and produced by Sophia Paul under Weekend Blockbusters, starring Shane Nigam, Antony Varghese and Neeraj Madhav. The soundtrack featured original songs composed by Sam C. S. and lyrics written by Manu Manjith, and rap numbers performed by Fejo and Neeraj Madhav. The soundtrack was released under the Saregama label on 8 September 2023.
| RDX | ||||
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| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 8 September 2023 | |||
| Recorded | 2022–2023 | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 22:39 | |||
| Language | Malayalam | |||
| Label | Saregama | |||
| Producer | Sam C. S. | |||
| Sam C. S. chronology | ||||
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| Singles from RDX: Robert Dony Xavier | ||||
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Background
editIn August 2022, producer Sophia Paul announced that Sam C. S. would compose the score for RDX;[1] the film is his third Malayalam project, after Odiyan (2018) and Pakalum Paathiravum (2022), where he would compose the background scores. Since the film was set in the 1990s, Sam experimented on music that sounded authentic to the timeline which was reflected in the film's music.[2] While composing the song "Neela Nilave" the crew were convinced that the song would become a hit upon release, which Sam was also convinced. He revealed that most of the romantic songs are natural, while romantic dance numbers would be less likely to be a success unlike those in Tamil and Telugu cinema. He was skeptical on such a song would become a hit in Malayalam but was overwhelmed with the audience reception.[3]
Release
editThe album was preceded by three songs as singles: "Hallabaloo" was released first on 26 July 2023.[4] The song was written by Manu Manjith and performed by Benny Dayal, Ranjith K Govind, Naresh Iyer, Sam C. S.[5][6] The second single "Scene Mone", a rap number performed by Neeraj Madhav and co-composed by Rzee was released on 16 August 2023.[7][8] The third song "Neela Nilave" was released on 24 August 2023.[9] The soundtrack was released through Saregama label on 8 September 2023 that featured in four tracks.[10] Three more songs: "Adiyodadi", a rap number written and performed by Fejo was released on 24 September,[11] a female version of "Neela Nilave" performed by Shweta Mohan was released on 16 October, and "Veyilinte Punjiri" by Hariharan on 2 November.[10]
Reception
editAnjana George of The Times of India praised the music as it "seamlessly complements various combat styles depicted in the movie, resulting in a riveting experience."[12] Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express wrote "Sam CS' background music that truly stands out, complementing the moments in an exceptional way", but however found the omission of "Halaballoo" to dampen the mood, as "it had the potential to enhance the overall experience."[13] Sowmya Rajendran, writing for Moneycontrol, stated that Sam's music "pumping up the energy."[14] "Neela Nilave" was considered to be one of the best Malayalam songs of 2023.[15]
Track listing
editAll music is composed by Sam C. S., except where noted.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "RDX Theme" | — | — | 0:51 |
| 2. | "Halaballoo" | Manu Manjith | Benny Dayal, Ranjith K Govind, Naresh Iyer, Sam C. S. | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Scene Mone" (co-composed by Rzee) | Neeraj Madhav | Neeraj Madhav | 3:26 |
| 4. | "Neela Nilave" | Manu Manjith | Kapil Kapilan | 4:13 |
| 5. | "Adiyodadi" | Fejo | Fejo | 2:21 |
| 6. | "Neela Nilave" (Female Version) | Manu Manjith | Shweta Mohan | 4:13 |
| 7. | "Veyilinte Punjiri" | Manu Manjith | Hariharan | 3:49 |
| Total length: | 22:39 | |||
Personnel
edit- Sam C. S. – composer (all tracks), producer (all tracks), musical arrangements (all tracks), programming (all tracks), backing vocalist (tracks: 4, 6)
- Abey Terrence – programming (track: 7)
- Yadu Krishnan – backing vocalist (track: 2)
- Joseph Vijay – guitars (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7), strings (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- Rajesh – drums (track: 2)
- Kiran – flute (tracks: 4, 5, 6, 7)
- Kishore – sitar (tracks: 4, 6)
- Chennai String Orchestra – strings (tracks: 5, 7), brass (track: 5)
- C. D. Anbumani – recording engineer (Psalter Record Inn, Chennai) [all tracks], programming (tracks: 2, 4)
- Abhishek AR – recording engineer (Psalter Record Inn, Chennai) [all tracks]
- S. Aakash Edwin – recording engineer (Psalter Record Inn, Chennai) [all tracks]
- Balu Thankachan – mixing and mastering engineer (20db Sound Studios, Chennai) [tracks: 2, 4, 6]
- Onasis Mohan – mixing and mastering engineer (Psalter Record Inn, Chennai) [track: 5], programming (track: 5)
- Abin Pushpakaran – mixing and mastering engineer (Blu Academy, Chennai) [track: 7]
- Paul Daniel – mixing assistance (tracks: 2, 4)
- Hariharan – mixing assistance (tracks: 2, 4)
- K. Mahima Chowdhary – music production manager
- Kannan M. – music production manager
- Indhumathi – music production manager
- Sathyamurthy – music production manager
- Parthiban – music production manager
- B. Velavan – music co-ordinator
Accolades
edit| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) and nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filmfare Awards South | 3 August 2024 | Best Music Director – Malayalam | Sam C. S. | Won | [16] [17] [18] [19] |
| Best Male Playback Singer – Malayalam | Kapil Kapilan – ("Neela Nilave") | Won | |||
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 14–15 September 2024 | Best Music Director – Malayalam | Sam C. S. | Pending | [20] [21] |
| Best Lyricist – Malayalam | Manu Manjith – ("Neela Nilave") | Pending | |||
| Best Female Playback Singer – Malayalam | Kapil Kapilan – ("Neela Nilave") | Pending |
References
edit- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (20 August 2022). "Minnal Murali makers rope in Vikram Vedha and Kaithi composer Sam CS for action thriller RDX". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ N. S., Ajmal (24 November 2023). "ആളുകൾ തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞില്ലെങ്കിലും സാരമില്ല, പാട്ടുകൾ ഹിറ്റായാൽ മതി – സാം സി.എസ്. | അഭിമുഖം" [It doesn't matter if people don't recognize it, as long as the songs are hits – Sam C. S. | Interview]. Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 18 December 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ R. B., Srilekha (21 September 2023). "'മലയാളികളെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ കഴിയില്ല, വെറുതെ എന്തെങ്കിലും ചെയ്തുവച്ചാൽ അവർ അംഗീകരിക്കില്ല; പാട്ട് ഹിറ്റാക്കിയതിന് നന്ദി'" [Malayalis can't be fooled, they won't accept if something is done for nothing; Thanks for making the song a hit]. Manorama Online (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 30 May 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "'Halaballoo' song from 'RDX' is all things vintage and vivid". The Times of India. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ Features, C. E. (26 July 2023). "RDX first single exudes 90s vibes". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "RDX's First Single Halabaloo Out: This Electrifying Song Is A Hit Among Fans". News18. 27 July 2023. Archived from the original on 1 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "RDX song Scene Mone: Neeraj Madhav's energetic rap is HERE". OTTPlay. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
- ^ "'RDX' second single 'Scene Mone' performed by Neeraj Madhav out!". The Times of India. 18 August 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (28 August 2023). "Neela Nilave song from RDX is out". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ a b C. S., Sam; Rzee (8 September 2023). "RDX (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – EP". Saregama. Archived from the original on 27 August 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "RDX | Song - Adiyodadi | Malayalam Video Songs - Times of India". The Times of India. 24 September 2023. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ George, Anjana (25 August 2023). "RDX Movie Review : Adeptly combined action & emotion". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "RDX movie review: An explosive mass actioner that fully lives up to its title". The Indian Express. 25 August 2023. Archived from the original on 24 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (25 August 2023). "RDX review: KGF stunt directors Anbariv pack too much action in a simplistic martial arts film that doesn't quite cut it". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 1 September 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "'Neela Nilave' to 'Nin Koode Njan', best Malayalam songs from 2023". The Times of India. 31 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 15 January 2024. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
- ^ "Nominations for the 69th Filmfare Awards South 2024 – Tamil". Filmfare. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Winners of the 69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024 – Tamil". Filmfare. 3 August 2024. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "69th Sobha Filmfare Awards South 2024: Check out the winners". The Times of India. 4 August 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 4 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "Filmfare Awards South 2024: Mammootty, Vikram, Rakshit Shetty, Chithha, 2018 win big". The Indian Express. 4 August 2024. Archived from the original on 7 August 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ "SIIMA Awards 2024: Rajinikanth's Jailer and Nani's Dasara bag 11 nominations each, Mrunal Thakur's Hi Nanna follows". The Indian Express. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ Nyayapati, Neeshita (17 July 2024). "SIIMA Awards 2024 full list of nominees: Dasara, Jailer, Kaatera, 2018 top the list". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 23 August 2024.