In a remarkably short span of time, music director Samuel Aby has become one of the most talked-about names in Tulunadu. The massive success of the first two songs from the upcoming Tulu film Picture has not only captivated Tulu audiences but has also found strong acceptance among Kannada listeners across Karnataka.
The chartbusters “Thaka Thaka” and “Gokula Radhe” have generated tremendous buzz ahead of the film’s release, placing Samuel Aby firmly in the spotlight and establishing him as one of the most promising musical talents currently working in regional cinema.
In an exclusive conversation with TuluAdda.com, Samuel Aby opens up about his journey from Kerala to the film industry, the risks he took to pursue his passion, his transition into Tulu cinema, and the musical vision behind Picture.
A Childhood Shaped by Cinema
Samuel Aby hails from Malappuram district in northern Kerala. Interestingly, his first love was not music but cinema itself.
“Growing up, I was always fascinated by films,” Samuel recalls. “Music came naturally alongside that passion.”
Like many children, he was introduced to Carnatic music at a young age and participated in school youth festivals, eventually reaching state-level competitions. During those formative years, he learned the basics of piano, keyboard, guitar, rhythm pad, and several other instruments.
Engineering Was Never the Final Destination
Following school, Samuel pursued a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering. However, during his college years, he realized that his future lay elsewhere.
“While studying engineering, I became certain that my heart belonged to music and films,” he says.
Determined to understand film music from the ground up, he began teaching himself music production, programming, and studio techniques. He spent countless hours researching, networking, and visiting recording studios to understand how the industry functioned.
By the time he reached his final year in 2013, he had developed a solid understanding of music production, though the path ahead remained uncertain.
Taking the Biggest Risk
Around the same time, Samuel received opportunities to work as an assistant to established music directors. Unfortunately, his final-year engineering commitments prevented him from accepting those offers.
He also had a job opportunity waiting in Dubai an attractive and secure career path. Yet he knew that accepting it would mean leaving his dreams behind.
Instead, he chose an unconventional route.
“I joined an M.Tech program mainly to stay in India and buy myself time to pursue music,” he reveals.
Building a Career from Scratch
Between 2013 and 2015, Samuel pursued an M.Tech in Machine Design while simultaneously preparing for a career in music.
The balancing act paid off in more ways than one. He graduated as a university topper and first-rank holder while also entering the music industry professionally as a programmer.
To build his portfolio, he worked on short films, created demo tracks, and reached out relentlessly to filmmakers and music directors. He funded his passion through tutoring, saving money to purchase essential equipment such as a laptop, keyboard, speakers, and headphones.
With support from his parents, he eventually assembled his own setup and officially entered the industry in 2015 before relocating to Bengaluru.
The Malayalam Breakthrough
Samuel’s major breakthrough came in Malayalam cinema with the 2019 film Kakshi: Amminippilla starring Asif Ali.
The song “Uyyaram Payyaram” became a viral sensation and introduced him to a much larger audience.
“That song was my stepping stone into the mainstream industry,” he says.
Entering Tulu Cinema
His journey into Tulu cinema began through a connection formed years earlier while working as an assistant music director on the Tulu film Chapter.
There, he met filmmaker Mohan Bhatkal, who would later become the executive producer of Picture.
Years later, Mohan approached Samuel to compose music for Goujii Gammath, marking his official debut as a music director in the Tulu industry.
The song “Posa Posa,” sung by Arjun Kapikad, received widespread appreciation and opened new doors for him.
How Picture Happened
Following the success of Goujii Gammath, Mohan Bhatkal recommended Samuel to producer Shilpa Ganesh and actor-producer Golden Star Ganesh for Picture.
Samuel prepared a demo track, which immediately impressed the team.
“The song hasn’t been released yet and will likely be our next single,” he says.
The track features vocals by Jassie Gift, while the lyrics have been penned by filmmaker Kishor Mudubidiri.
That successful presentation ultimately secured Samuel’s place as the music director of one of the most anticipated Tulu films of the year.
Music Beyond Language
Having worked across Malayalam, Kannada, and Tulu cinema, Samuel believes that music transcends language.
“I don’t compose differently for languages. I compose for stories,” he explains.
According to him, every script demands its own unique soundscape. Whether it’s a forest-based story or a film rooted in coastal Karnataka, the musical environment must reflect the world of the film authentically.
Four Songs, Four Different Experiences
Picture features four songs in total.
The first two tracks, “Thaka Thaka” and “Gokula Radhe,” have already become major hits.
“Thaka Thaka” features vocals by Adhvik, Shameer Mudipu, and Angel Mary Joseph, while “Gokula Radhe” is sung by Shilpa Ganesh and Jaskaran Singh.
Two more songs are yet to be released. One is sung by Jassie Gift, while another features renowned Kannada composer V. Harikrishna, marking his first-ever song for a Tulu film.
Convincing Shilpa Ganesh to Sing
One of the biggest surprises from the album has been Shilpa Ganesh’s debut as a singer.
Samuel recalls that he simply asked her to sing something over the phone.
“She sang a Hindi song, and I immediately noticed the emotion in her voice,” he says.
For Samuel, emotional expression matters more than technical perfection.
“A great singer must convey feeling. That’s why artists like Dhanush and Dulquer Salmaan connect so strongly with audiences.”
A Deep Love for Kannada Cinema
Although Samuel is from Kerala, he has long been an admirer of Kannada cinema.
His fascination began with films such as Ondu Motteya Kathe and Neer Dose, eventually expanding into a deep appreciation of classics and modern masterpieces including Om, Lucia, K.G.F., Kantara, Ulidavaru Kandanthe, Mungaru Male, RangiTaranga, Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana, and many others.
He has also closely followed the work of composers such as Arjun Janya, V. Harikrishna, B. Ajaneesh Loknath, Charan Raj, and Ravi Basrur.
“It is an industry I deeply respect, and I hope to contribute much more to Kannada and Tulu cinema in the future,” he says.
Praise from Golden Star Ganesh
Samuel describes his first interaction with Golden Star Ganesh as both exciting and encouraging.
After listening to the songs, Ganesh was highly impressed with the scale and production quality of the music.
“He told me he didn’t expect this level of musical detailing for a Tulu film,” Samuel reveals.
As a long-time admirer of Ganesh’s work, Samuel says composing for one of the actor’s Kannada films someday would be a dream come true.
More Than a Music Director
Samuel’s contribution to Picture extends beyond composing songs and background music.
He also worked as the film’s sound director, overseeing the entire auditory experience.
“A sound director shapes how a film ultimately sounds to the audience. It’s about creating the complete sonic environment that supports the director’s vision,” he explains.
Inspirations Across Generations
When asked about his musical inspirations, Samuel finds it impossible to choose just one.
From Indian legends like Ilaiyaraaja and A.R. Rahman to international icons such as Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Ludwig Göransson, Linkin Park, Pink Floyd, Queen, Michael Jackson, Daft Punk, Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, and Tchaikovsky, his influences span multiple generations and genres.
“I believe every genre has its own emotional truth, and I always try to learn from all of them,” he says.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the overwhelming response to Picture’s songs, Samuel expresses gratitude to audiences across Tulunadu and Karnataka.
“The support has been incredible. I expected the songs to connect with Tulu audiences, but the love from Kannada listeners has been a wonderful surprise.”
With two more songs yet to be released, Samuel remains confident that audiences will embrace the complete album.
“The people of Tulunadu have always encouraged talent. I hope this is just the beginning of a long journey in both Tulu and Kannada cinema.”
