Anup Rubens on Bad Girlz: “Every song has its place in the story”

Anup Rubens, known for Manam and Prema Kavali, brings a fresh, youthful soundtrack to Bad Girlz. With retro vibes, heartfelt tracks, and Chandrabose’s lyrics, the music promises to define the film’s identity.

Hyderabad: From the timeless melodies of Manam to the youthful pulse of Prema Kavali, Anup Rubens has often been the composer behind some of Telugu cinema’s most memorable albums. His music has carried both nostalgia and freshness in equal measure. With his latest soundtrack for Bad Girlz, he steps into a space that is bold, contemporary, and deeply tied to the story of a young woman finding her own way.

Youthful and Layered

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Bad Girlz is a film that thrives on the energy of today’s youth while reflecting their dilemmas. Composer Anup Rubens says the music was designed to match that journey. “It’s about a girl’s travel through choices; what she wants, what she doesn’t want, and how she wishes to lead her life. The film has fun, emotion, laughter, and also a message. The music had to carry all these shades.”

A Director–Composer Rapport

The film reunites him with director Munna, after 30 Rojullo Preminchadam Ela. That collaboration, he explains, made the process smooth. “With Munna, there’s never a forced situation. Each song naturally grows out of the narrative. They aren’t inserted just to fill space, they drive the story forward.”

The Climax Theme

Every album has one piece that challenges the composer. For Anup, it was a score written for the climax. “There’s a point where the background music takes the lead role. It was demanding but also rewarding, because the emotion of the scene depends on that theme.”

Experimenting with Sound

Known for versatility, Anup brought fresh elements into Bad Girlz. “We tried variety this time. There’s even a retro number, which I’ve never done before. The title track too, built around the line ‘Bad girlz, enjoy cheyali, gurtundipovali,’ carries the film’s central idea of change.”

Songs Closest to Him

Among the tracks, a few stay personal. “Ila Chusukuntane and O Ammai are very close to me. Both appear in crucial moments and carry strong emotions. The retro song also holds a special charm.”

Fast-Flowing Creativity with Chandrabose

All lyrics in the film are by Chandrabose, and Anup credits their bond for the speed and ease of creation. “With Bose garu, songs happen quickly. Sometimes within half an hour, a song is ready. When Munna, Bose garu and I sit together, everything just falls in place.”

Music as Identity

For Anup, the soundtrack is central to how the audience will receive Bad Girlz. “After the director, it’s the music that sets a film’s tone. Our title track already crossed millions of views and the response has been overwhelming. I believe the soundtrack will define the film’s character.”

What’s Next
Alongside Bad Girlz, Anup has lined up multiple projects, including a film with director Teja, one with the producers of Rangamarthanda, and Arjun Sarja’s directorial Seetha Payanam that’s gearing up for release.