Tamil cinema often experiments with content-driven films, but it’s the larger-than-life entertainers that strike gold with audiences. These spectacles rest on the shoulders of a superstar, and while story, visuals, and craft matter, it’s the background score that takes them to another level.

Rajinikanth, the face of Indian superstardom, has always had music shaping his journey. Each era brought him a new collaborator—Ilaiyaraaja in the early years, Deva during the commercial peak, AR Rahman, who redefined his sound, and now Anirudh Ravichander, who gives his films a modern edge.

Adding a fresh layer to this legacy is the booming voice of Amogh Balaji. Known for his stylish and powerful delivery, he has lent energy to stars like Rajinikanth and Ajith Kumar, quickly becoming a sought-after name in Tamil cinema. Fresh from his impactful work in Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, Amogh sat down with us to share his journey so far.

Congratulations on your work in Coolie! Could you share how you came on board the project and walk us through the process of creating ‘Kokki’?
Writing and rapping for Coolie was a massive opportunity for me. To be part of such a legendary film with a star-studded cast feels truly amazing. I’m deeply thankful to Ani bro (Anirudh Ravichander) for trusting me—he’s at the pinnacle of everything happening in music right now.

One Saturday evening, Ani bro called me from Sajith Satya’s number, and it completely caught me off guard. He said, ‘Hey, Amogh, there’s a requirement for a song, and it’s for Coolie.’ I honestly couldn’t believe what I was hearing. To write for this film felt like a huge responsibility, so I gave it everything I had—my full 200%. Thankfully, everything worked out beautifully.

So did you happen to meet Heisenberg as well?
(Chuckles) No. I haven’t met him yet, but I’m really looking forward to that as well.

You’ve mentioned Anirudh discovered you on stage—can you take us from your first time on the mic to that moment?
The first time I held a mic, it wasn’t even a proper one, it was a headset mic I used to record my early songs. A few months later, I finally got my first real mic.

I’ve always been on stage, even before rapping. Back in school, I played the guitar, and the thrill of hearing the audience’s response was unmatched. Eventually, performing my own songs as an independent artist felt incredible. But I never imagined that when Sajith Satya saw me on stage that night, two years before Coolie’s release, it would lead to such a life-changing opportunity.

That evening, I was just rapping with friends, having fun, when I noticed Sajith in the crowd. Later, he spoke to me, took my number, and said he’d reach out. I didn’t know when, but two years later, out of the blue, he called. And when he said it was for Thalaivar’s film, I was stunned. The whole process was quick; the song was wrapped up in two days. And when it finally came out, I was beyond excited to watch it on screen.

Getting featured in Tamil cinema is a big deal in itself—but lending your voice for Superstar and Ajith Kumar takes it even further. How does that feel?
I’m truly grateful for everything that’s happening. To have written and rapped for both Thalaivar’s and Thala’s films, bringing words that match their larger-than-life personas, is huge; I wouldn’t downplay it. As an independent artist, I was just rapping, posting content, and staying consistent. And then suddenly, my voice was on the big screen. It still feels unbelievable, and I owe my thanks to Anirudh for making it possible.

Has rapping always been your dream job?
Rapping has always been my aspiration and dream job. I love how it lets you express yourself rhythmically, cleverly, and meaningfully with the lyrics. Though I’ve explored other genres, rap has always been my home base. Whenever I write lyrics, that’s where I truly feel at home.

Where did it all begin for you? Who influenced you most during your childhood?
The biggest influence on me as a rapper was Eminem; his way of expressing life struggles while still having fun with words really inspired me. Then came 50 Cent and others, but Eminem made me want to tell my own stories, to put my life into rhythmic, clever lyrics.

As a kid, I’d exaggerate even trivial problems or turn happy moments into larger-than-life lines—that’s how it all began. Over time, I learned a lot from experimenting beyond hip hop, rapping on rock, jazz, and even pop tracks. Each genre taught me something new about flexibility. I think that’s important, because many rappers limit themselves to certain beats. But when you stay flexible, you can explore more and grow faster.

Which contemporary rappers, anywhere in the world, do you look up to?
I am a huge fan of Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and Eminem, of course. And, The Pharcyde, MF Doom, and all of these rappers who have been legendary, and who still continue to inspire a lot of artists, today and tomorrow.

Independent rappers often have a message in their songs. What’s the central theme in yours?
As an independent artist, my theme has always been this: days can get really dark, it might even feel like the end of the road. But if you wait it out or take action, the light eventually comes. You just have to stay tuned to it. The light doesn’t come looking for you, you have to seek it. Even if a hundred people show you the way, you’ll only see it when you truly want to.

How important is it for an artist to be political in their songs?
I don’t think it is important for an artist to be politically involved as much as people have the freedom to say I’m apolitical.
When people have that freedom, why can’t rappers or artists have the freedom to not be involved in anything? But, of course, I think, artists do tend to get politically involved because we’re expressive people and we’re very sensitive.

So, if we see injustice or if we see if we hear something that isn’t to our taste, even if we don’t want to be controversial, we might end up touching that subject. Indirectly or directly. It’s a personal preference. If you want to be, if you want to go that route, go for it.