Humble as ever, Keeravani says inspired by Western musical films ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Phone Booth’, ‘Coming to America’

The ‘RRR’ Golden Globe award for the original song landed Telugu music composer M.M. Keeravani along the ranks of world famous composers who have struck original concept to get the whole world dance to their tune.

In his interview with journalists after receiving his trophy, Keeravani, who’s also known as M.M. Kreem in Hindi movie credits, said he is a “great fan” of the 1971 musical film ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, the Colin Farrell-starrer ‘Phone Booth’ (2002) and the Eddie Murphy movie, ‘Coming to America’ (1988).

“I am inspired by whatever happens in the world, especially in the West,” Keeravani said. “I have a list of movies that I watch religiously on a daily basis. Each and every movie I watch at least a hundred times,” he noted.

RRR music composer MM Keeravani

Keeravani said he loves films with “musical content and emotions” because he feels “quite refreshed” after watching them. With his natural humility, Keeravani said, his inspiration “comes from all the stalwarts from around the world, from the legendary John Williams, who has given music to almost all of ‘Star Wars’ films and Steven Spielberg’s movies, including ‘The Fabelmans’, which got the Best Film Golden Globe, to the Pakistani Sufi music maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

“I am a student, I will be one forever,” said Keeravani, who is ‘RRR’ maker S.S. Rajamouli’s cousin and believed to be the inspiration of the film’s sequel, which is said to be in the process of being written. “There is something to learn every day,” he added.

Talking about ‘Natu Natu’, which staved off challenges from Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga to win the Golden Globe for Original Score, Keeravani said “it is a song of celebration … it portrays stamina, energy and happiness … it is packed with ethnic beats and grooves.”

In fact, the song had Los Angeles dancing on the aisles of the city’s iconic TLC Chinese Theatre on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and now it has made India break into a national celebration winning the Golden Globe.