Rajinikanth pays tribute to SP Balasubrahmanyam after release of Annaatthe's first single

The first single from the Rajinikanth-starrer Annaatthe was unveiled on Monday. Minutes after the song was released, the superstar took to Twitter to remember SP Balasubrahmanyam (SPB), who had sung for his films for almost half a century.

SP Balasubrahmanyam (4 June 1946–25 September 2020): The singer who could act with his voice

The single – Annaatthe Annaatthe – was the last song SPB recorded before his death.

“During the filming of the song that SBP, who lived as my voice for 45 years, sang for me in the film Annaatthe, I never dreamed that this would be the last song he would sing for me. My dear SBP will live on through his sweet voice forever,” read the translation of Rajinikanth’s Tamil tweet. 

Over the years, SP Balasubrahmanyam-Rajinikanth combo was responsible for chartbusters such as 'Athaanda Idhaana', 'Oruvan Oruvan Mudhalaali', 'Vandhenda Paalkaaran', 'Naan Autokaaran' and 'Devuda Devudaamong'. SPB also sang the song 'Chumma Kizhi' in Rajinikanth's last film, Darbar (2020).

Remembrance: 10 classic SP Balasubrahmanyam hits

Meanwhile, it was recently announced that Annaatthe will be released in cinemas this Diwali. Tipped to be a rural drama, the film also stars Keerthy Suresh, Meena and Kushboo. The film was launched in December 2019 in Chennai in a low-key affair. 

Rajinikanth will play the role of a village president in Annaatthe, which will have a simultaneous release in Telugu. 

After the colossal flop that was Darbar, Rajinikanth agreed to take a 50% pay cut for Annaatthe at the behest of the producers. Reportedly, his remuneration was reduced from Rs118 crore for Darbar to Rs58 crore for Annaatthe. 

Annaatthe, which has been produced by Sun Pictures, has been directed by Siva and features music by D Imman.