SAI ABHYANKKAR IS PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF TAMIL POP

The Tamil star behind 'Sithira Puthiri' is now set to conquer Kollywood

- ANURAG TAGAT

There are a few explanations for how Sai Abhyankkar became Tamil pop's biggest hitmaker, even though he's just three songs old. The obvious one is the massive support from a label like Think Indie, owned by global music giant Believe, who have released all three of his songs - “Katchi Sera,” “Aasa Kooda” and “Sithira Puthiri.”

Then, there's the innovative quality he brings as a composer, producer, singer and keyboardist. “Katchi Sera” (with playful lyrics by Adesh Krishna) has all the makings of a club banger with pop hooks but also features intricate production flourishes—like whispered vocal melodies and layers of nostalgic Tamil music. “Aasa Kooda,” for its part, builds generously, drifting into cinematic pop as Abhyankkar's affable voice waxes poetic about love and duets with vocalist Sai Smriti (his sister). It's grandiose and groovy and, most importantly, unhurried where other songs rush to the hook.

Those were Abhyankkar's 2024 songs, so when he kicked off 2025 with the brass-laden “Sithira Puthiri,” it was a stomping indication that he's only aiming higher and higher. What was even more commendable was that he made the scratch track in 20 minutes sometime in mid-2024. Beyond sonics, he was thinking visually for the song.

STEPPING UP: One of the ways he's pushing himself with his songs outside of films is trying out new things, like dancing more prominently in the “Sithira Puthiri” video. “I was a little [more] prepared this time, because I wanted to prove something with the dance stuff. It was about me saying, 'I'm not a bad dancer, let me show [everyone] what I can do.' That was my brain space before during the choreography,” he adds.