‘Toxic’ interview: The intimacy in ‘Tabaahi’ is graceful, says Yogaraj Bhat

Yogaraj Bhat, one of the finest filmmakers the Kannada film industry has produced, can be mistaken for a full-time lyricist. Such is his command over the language and richness in his imagination that almost every filmmaker from Sandalwood aspires to have at least one song penned by him. It’s no surprise that Yash looked to Bhat for writing the Kannada songs for his ambitious Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas.

The intense song ‘Tabaahi’, sung and composed by Vishal Mishra, features lyrics from Bhat, who is no stranger to writing songs for pan-India projects. His Kannada version of ‘Kesariya’ (’Kesariya Rangu’) for Brahmastra (2023) is a massive chartbuster, with fans claiming it to be better than the original. With just over a month to go for the worldwide release of Toxic, Bhat talks about the polarising reactions to ‘Tabaahi’, the intricate details behind the music and lyrics of the song, and his long-standing association with Yash.

Excerpts from the interview:

At first, ‘Tabaahi’ received mixed responses, with some listeners unhappy about the excessive use of the word ‘Tabaahi’. Others felt the song seemed to have been conceived in Hindi before being adapted into other languages. The lyric video’s minimalist visual approach also drew criticism. However, people began to appreciate it more when the full video was out. What do you think changed?

Imagine releasing a lyrical video with just one poster throughout the song. Not everybody does it, but Yash always likes to maintain exclusivity. He is popular in North India as Rocky Bhai (the lead character in the KGF films). Kiara Advani is stunning. Yet, he made people wait to see what was in store. Every month, more than 100 songs are released across Indian film industries. So, the only way to stay relevant is to release your content at the right time. Just as when people were getting desperate, he dropped the video song. Now, fans have a different thing to say about ‘Tabaahi’. The makers have retained the word ‘Tabaahi’ for all languages because it helps in reaching a wider audience. You can be from any state; if you want to search for the song online, you have to type one word.

The visuals of the song sparked debates, with some viewers feeling the intimate scenes were too bold. How would you describe the emotional intensity and the relationship dynamics between the lead characters?

I feel the visuals of ‘Tabaahi’ are presented with dignity. When intimacy isn’t portrayed on screen with tastefulness, audiences are likely to perceive it differently. You can’t straightforwardly visualise romance. Where is your creativity as a filmmaker then? And relationship dynamics of a couple are often told through songs. You don’t necessarily have separate scenes for them. Even in ‘Tabaahi’, if you notice, you witness a layer of the film’s story in progress. Credit to the cinematographer Rajeev Ravi for capturing the high-voltage romance between the leads with grace. He is a remarkable technician who has adopted a distinct visual grammar for such scenes.

Have you mastered the art of writing songs that balance the expressions of love and desire? How do you ensure your lyrics don’t make the listeners uncomfortable? Recently, a song from the Kannada movie ‘KD: The Devil’ fell into controversy because people felt it was “vulgar” and “demeaned women”...

The song you are talking about (’Sarse Ninna Seraga Sarse’) is a sensual line that refers to removing the pallu of a saree. I wrote a similar song (’Basanthi)’ for the movie Prem Adda (2012). There is a line that says ‘Akka seragige haakoldri gundu pinnu. It refers to putting a safety pin on a woman’s pallu. I have turned an everyday imagery into something affectionate and playful. The words are light and relatable. The quirkiness of the lyrics makes people laugh. On the contrary, if you are too straightforward and explicit while describing something as common as lust and love, you are bound to receive flak. You should leave things unsaid and push people to imagine.

Which is your favourite line from ‘Tabaahi’? Which line captures the soul of the song?

I like the line ‘Sringara Dhangara Sididelalu’. It means the volcano of romance has erupted. The lines match Yash’s intense eyes that elevate the song.

Why do you think Vishal Mishra is tailor-made to sing this song?

Vishal Mishra is a genius. When he hums, a current passes through your body. When he sings, his performance is fuelled by an energy that runs through his entire body. When you watch him live in front of a massive audience, it feels like he is singing from his heart. He rises above the swaras with remarkable control, creating a voice that is both powerful and magical. To sound convincing in five languages is no small feat. Singing at such a high pitch is a testament to his immense talent.

Explain your association with Yash? Are you a friend, a mentor, or just a good acquaintance in the film industry?

Before I directed him in Drama (2012), I would write songs for his movies. We connected on songs. He has the mind of a poet. His vocabulary is great. His strong foundation in his mother tongue (Kannada) made it easier for him to learn other languages. When you write a scene or a song, he understands the intentions behind it. I enjoy discussing movies with him. He plays an aimless youngster in Drama. Now, back then, he had big dreams and wanted to be known across the country. That didn’t stop him from playing a carefree character that is anything but larger-than-life. When the camera is on, he is very aware of his talent and understands what’s needed for that particular role. That’s a great quality to have.

You often speak about Yash’s visionary nature...

See, so many people aspire to become actors. The first step is to understand whether you are truly suited for the profession or not. Like many others, Yash enjoyed receiving applause when he first appeared on the big screen. However, his commitment to excellence and his ambition continued to grow at every crucial stage of his career. That is what sets him apart from the rest.

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Yash seems to be at the forefront of every step of Toxic. Why do you think a star must drive a project by taking responsibility for every department? What are the challenges that come with such an attitude?

He likes to leave his mark on every aspect of filmmaking, and why shouldn’t he? It is like a restaurant owner knowing how to make the best recipe. The other day, I was getting my office revamped. I felt like doing certain things on my own instead of depending on the workers. If you are involved in something you love, you will do it well because the onus is on you if it goes wrong. It’s a big challenge, but you will do it if you care for the art form. Yash is one such individual.