Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (soundtrack)

Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu is the soundtrack to the eponymous 2022 Tamil-language neo-noir gangster film directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon and starring Silambarasan in the lead role. The film's soundtrack features five songs composed by A. R. Rahman and lyrics written by Thamarai. It is preceded by two singles—"Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" and "Marakkuma Nenjam"—before the album's release on 31 August 2022 through Think Music. The album, particularly the song "Mallipoo", received positive response from music critics.

Development
Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu marked Rahman's third collaboration with Menon after Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (2010) and Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016); fourth with Silambarasan after the former two films and Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018). As with Menon's previous films, Thamarai penned the lyrics for all the songs in the film. Rahman had initially worked on three songs for Nadhigalil Neeradum Sooriyan, a film that was intended before the production of Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu. Menon, then requested Rahman to use the same tunes with different lyrics but Rahman composed fresh tunes for the film. Producer Ishari K. Ganesh after meeting Rahman multiple times in his studio, described that the songs "have come out very well".

The track "Mallipoo"—which received huge popularity post the film's release—was shot in a single sequence, which is about the gangsters dancing in a single room connecting with the world. Menon said "When you listened to the song, you might have thought that it was a number with women. But we didn’t want to do that at all. It is about the guys and their connection with the rest of the world through a phone." Rahman suggested the song "Mallipoo" regarding that particular sequence and composed it entirely which he sent to Menon, and he liked it.

Madhushree recorded vocals for the song; her first since three years. She revealed that, she had received numerous offers for singing in Tamil films during the COVID-19 pandemic but turned down them as she was skeptic on travelling to Chennai for recording. She accepted her part for "Mallipoo" due to her long-standing collaboration with Rahman. Besides acting in a prominent role, Neeraj Madhav wrote and performed a rap number "Porattam" for this film.

Release
The audio rights were purchased by Think Music. The first single titled "Kaalathukkum Nee Venum" was released on 6 May 2022. The song was performed by Silambarasan and Rakshita Suresh; it was the second time Silambarasan had sung for Rahman, after "Bailamore" from Kadhal Virus (2002). The second single "Marakkuma Nenjam" sung by Rahman, which was featured in the film's teaser, was released on 15 August 2022. The film's music was launched on 31 August 2022 at the Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies in Chennai, with the cast and crew in attendance. Kamal Haasan and Udhayanidhi Stalin preceded the event as chief guests. The event's broadcast rights were acquired by Star Vijay and was premiered on 11 September 2022.

Original score
The film's background score featuring 19 tracks was released by Think Music on 12 February 2023.

Reception
Vipin Nair of Music Aloud said that the album has "a great set of songs, occasionally let down by the vocal choices" and rated three-and-a-half out of five. Ramesh S. Kannan of Moviecrow described it as "a short but wholesome soundtrack" where 'each melody shines on its own and is refreshing to listen". Soundarya Athimuthu of The Quint wrote "[Rahman] simply elevates the film with his scintillating music and background score that gives you frissons at periodic intervals". Janani K. of India Today wrote "AR Rahman’s haunting music and brilliant background score elevate Vendhu Thanindhadhu Kaadu’s mood drastically". Kirubakar Purushothaman of The Indian Express called Rahman's score being "restrained" which "lets the silence and dialogue do the job at many places". Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute praised the placement of "Marakkuma Nenjam" that was used both "song and refrain".