Sean Roldan

Indian Tamil film composer

Sean Roldan

Background information
Birth name| Raghavendra Raja Rao
Born|  (1987-12-27) 27 December 1987 (age 37)
Madras (now Chennai),
Tamil Nadu, India
Genres| Film score, Independent music, Carnatic music
Occupation(s)| Film composer, Music director, Independent musician, Song writer, Singer
Years active| 2014–present

Sean Roldan

Parent(s)| Padma (mother)
Srimushnam V. Raja Rao (father)
Relatives| Sandilyan (maternal grandfather)

Raghavendra Raja Rao, known by his stage name Sean Roldan is an Indian composer, musician, and lyricist who predominantly works in the Tamil film industry. He has worked on Carnatic music, independent music, and film scores for the Tamil film industry. He rose to fame after gaining critical acclaim for his work in Balaji Mohan's Tamil-Malayalam bilingual Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram (2014).[1]

## Early life

[edit]

Roldan was born as Raghavendra Raja Rao to the mridangam player Srimushnam V. Raja Rao and Padma, the daughter of novelist Sandilyan. He is married to Lalitha Sudha, a playback singer who works in the Indian film industry, primarily for films composed by him.[2] He was drawn into film music by A.R. Rahman's debut album Roja.

## Career

[edit]

### Film score and soundtracks

[edit]

Rao began a career in music composing and working on Carnatic tracks before venturing into independent Tamil music with his band Sean Roldan & Friends.[3] Roldan was recommended by film producer C. V. Kumar to Varun Manian, the producer of the bilingual film Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram, who was looking for a composer after the director's original choice, Anirudh Ravichander, had opted out.[4] He subsequently signed the film and chose to continue to credit himself as Sean Roldan for a career in the Tamil film industry. He produced eight tracks for the film, singing two, while including one inspired by the single track "Mayakkura Poo Vaasam"[5] composed for his band.[6] That same year, he composed music for the films Sathuranga Vettai, Mundasupatti, and Aadama Jaichomada. All soundtracks were well received. 2015 saw him composing the songs for 144.

In 2016, Roldan composed music for the political satire film Joker. The songs were well received. 2017 saw him composing music for Pa Paandi, the directorial debut of actor Dhanush. Three more films were released that year featuring Roldan's music: Neruppu Da, Katha Nayagan, and Velaiilla Pattadhari 2, the last of which he collaborated with Dhanush, though this time as a lead actor. Roldan's only film composed in 2018 was Kathiruppor Pattiyal. He composed two films in 2019: Mehandi Circus and Raatchasi.

In 2020, Roldan composed one song from Dharala Prabhu, and in 2021, he composed one song from Kasada Thapara. 2021 also saw him composing the legal drama Jai Bhim in his first collaboration with Suriya.

In 2022, Roldan released a music video called Parai.[7] The video is about a Parai artist and his daughter who are subject to torment by casteists. He also co-wrote the song's lyrics.

In 2023, Roldan composed the music for the movies August 16 1947, Good Night, and Lucky Man.

In 2024 Roldan also composed the music for the movie Lover.

### Playback singing

[edit]

Roldan has mainly sang songs for his own films but has frequently worked with composers Pradeep Kumar and Santhosh Narayanan. He has also worked with the likes of Anirudh Ravichander, D. Imman, and Yuvan Shankar Raja.

## Musical style

[edit]

Roldan's music draws heavy inspiration from Tamil composer Ilaiyaraaja. His greater aim is to represent Indian music internationally.[8]

## Discography

[edit]

### As composer

[edit]

Year  | Tamil | Other languages  | Notes

|
|
|

2014 | Vaayai Moodi Pesavum | Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram (Malayalam) |
Mundasupatti |  |
Sathuranga Vettai |  |
Aadama Jaichomada |  |
2015 | 144 |  |
2016 | Joker |  |
2017 | Pa Paandi |  |
Katha Nayagan |  |
Neruppu Da |  |
Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | VIP 2 (Telugu),
VIP 2 - Lalkar (Hindi - dubbed) |
2018 | Kaathiruppor Pattiyal |  |
2019 | Mehandi Circus |  |
Raatchasi |  |
2020 | Dharala Prabhu |  | Composed one song "Kadhal Theevey"
2021 | Kasada Thapara |  | Composed one song "Nee Podhum Kanna"
Jai Bhim |  |
2022 |  Parai |  | YouTube album Think Music India
2023 |  August 16 1947 |  |
Good Night |  |
Modern Love Chennai |  | Web series Episode 1: "Lalagunda Bommaigal"[9]
Lucky Man |  |
2024 | Vadakkupatti Ramasamy |  |
Lover |  |
Raghu Thatha |  |
Lubber Pandhu |  |
Parari |
2025  | Bottle Radha |  | [10]
Tourist Family |  | [11]
Love Marriage |  | [12]
Revolver Rita † |  | [13]
Mannangatti Since 1960 |  |

* The films are listed in order that the music released, regardless of the dates the film released.
* The year next to the titles of the films indicates the release year of the either dubbed or remade version in the named language later than the original version.
* • indicates original language release. Indicates simultaneous makes, if featuring in more languages.

### As singer

[edit]

Year  | Film  | Song  | Music  | Co-artist(s)

|
|
|
|

2013 | Onbadhule Guru | "Theera Theera" | K | Anand Aravindakshan, K, Premgi Amaren
2014 | Cuckoo | "Manasula Soora Kaathey" | Santhosh Narayanan | Divya Ramani
"Potta Pulla" |
Vaayai Moodi Pesavum | "Shut Up! Vaaya Moodu! Pesadhe!" | Sean Roldan | Balaji Mohan
"Kadhal Ara Onnu Vizundhuchu" | Shakthisree Gopalan
Mundasupatti | "Ambala Singam" | Haricharan
"Rasa Magarasa (Solo Version)" |
"Rasa Magarasa (Duet Version)" | Rita, Anthony Daasan
Maine Pyar Kiya (Telugu) | "Ee Prema Manakoddhu" | Pradeep Kumar |
Sathuranga Vettai | "Yemarum Jename" | Sean Roldan | Pradeep Kumar
"Verichodi Ponathada" |
Jigarthanda | "Hoo Haa" | Santhosh Narayanan
Aadama Jaichomada | "Nalla Kettuka Paadam" | Sean Roldan | A. V. Ramanan
"Odura Nari" |
2015 | Naanum Rowdy Dhaan | "Kannana Kanne" | Anirudh Ravichander |
144 | "Vinai Theerkum Pillaiyada" | Sean Roldan | Sathyaprakash, Shenbagaraj
"Poove Pooviname" | Chinmayi
2016 | Irudhi Suttru | "Vaa Machaney" | Santhosh Narayanan |
Jil Jung Juk | "Red Road-U" | Vishal Chandrasekhar | Santhosh Narayanan, Vishal Chandrashekhar
Oru Naal Koothu | "Adiyae Azhagae" | Justin Prabhakaran |
Joker | "Chellamma" | Sean Roldan | K. Perumal, M. Lalitha Sudha
"Halla Bol" | Kalyani Nair
Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings | "Idhu Kadhaiya" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | Kharesma Ravichandran
2017 | Rum | "Kadavule Vidai" | Anirudh Ravichander | Pragathi Guruprasad
Pa Paandi | "Paarthen" (The Youth of Power Paandi) | Sean Roldan | Shweta Mohan
"Veesum Kaathodadhaan" (Power Paandi: The Nomad) | Anthony Daasan
"Venpani Malarae" (The Romance of Power Paandi - Male Version) |
Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen | "Yembuttu Irukuthu Aasa" | D. Imman | Kalyani Nair
Thondan | "Poi Varavaa" | Justin Prabhakaran |
Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | "Iraivanai Thandha Iraiviye" (Angel of Raghuvaran) | Sean Roldan | M. M. Manasi
Katha Nayagan | "Kathanayagan The Hero"  |
Neruppu Da | "Aalangiliyae" | Shweta Mohan
"Enga Pona" |
2018 | Kaathiruppor Pattiyal | "Call Mela Call Pootu" |
Kolamavu Kokila | "Edhuvaraiyo" | Anirudh Ravichander | Gautham Vasudev Menon
Ratsasan | "Kanamma Kanvizhi" | Ghibran |
Seemaraja | "Onnavitta Yaarum Yenakilla (Version 1)" | D. Imman | Shreya Ghoshal
2019 | LKG | "Ethanai Kaalam Dhaan" (Remix) | Leon James |
Monster | Ennai Theadi | Justin Prabhakaran | Pop Shalini
Mehandi Circus | "Vellatu Kannazhagi" | Sean Roldan |
Raatchasi | "Kondatam"  | Bamba Bakya
"Sigarame"  | Nithyashree
A1 | "Aatha Valikkudu" | Santhosh Narayanan |
2020 | Ponmagal Vandhal | "Pookalin Porvai" | Govind Vasantha | Keerthana Vaidyanathan
Andhaghaaram | "Izhupari Aattam" | Pradeep Kumar |
2021 | Uppena (Telugu) | "Sandram Lone Neerantha" | Devi Sri Prasad |
Choo Mandhirakaali | "Dracula Chellakkutti" | Satish Raghunathan | M. M. Manasi
Kasada Thapara | "Nee Podhum Kanna" | Sean Roldan  |
Jai Bhim | "Indha Polladha" |
2022 | Kuthiraivaal | "Parandhu Pogindren" | Pradeep Kumar | Priyanka NK
My Dear Bootham | "Thangamey" (Version I) | D. Imman |
2023 | August 16 1947 | "Seenikaari" | Sean Roldan | Sathyaprakash Dharmar
"Kottikara Payalae" | Meenakshi Ilayaraja
Good Night | "Naan Gaali" | Kalyani Nair
"Naan Gaali Reprise" |
Modern Love Chennai | "Jingrudha Dhanga" (Lalagunda Bommaigal) |
"Uravu" (Lalagunda Bommaigal) | Padmapriya Raghavan
Lucky Man | "Naanthan Raja" |
2024 | Lover | "Thensudare" | Shaktishree Gopalam
"Ezhutha Kadhaiyo" | Mega Agarwal
Vadakkupatti Ramasamy | "Abarako" | Santhanam
Captain Miller | "Un Oliyile" | G. V. Prakash Kumar
Inga Naan Thaan Kingu | "Maayoney" | D. Imman | Jonita Gandhi
Lubber Pandhu | "Aasa Orave" | Sean Roldan |
Vettaiyan | "Uchathila" | Anirudh Ravichander |
Aalan | "Yen Anaindhai" | Manoj Krishna |
2025  | Kudumbasthan | "Zero Balance Hero"  | Vaisagh  |
Tourist Family | "Mugai Mazhai"  | Sean Roldan  | Saindhavi
"Aachaley"  |
"Maname"  | Manoj Krishna

### As lyricist

[edit]

Year  | Film  | Song  | Music  | Notes

|
|
|
|

2014 | Jigarthanda | "Hoo Haa" | Santhosh Narayanan |
Aadama Jaichomada | "Odura Nari" | Sean Roldan
2015 | 144 | "Poove Pooviname" |
2016 | Joker | "Halla Bol" | Co-lyricist with Yugabharathi
2017 | Katha Nayagan | "Kathanayagan the Hero"
Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 | "Dooram Nillu"
2019 | Raatchasi | "Sigarame" |
A1 | "Aatha Valikkudu" | Santhosh Narayanan |
2024 | Vadakkupatti Ramasamy | "Uyirin Velichame" | Sean Roldan | Co-lyricist with Kavingar Sarathi
Lover | "Apple Crumble" | Co-lyricist with Prabhuram Vyas
"Vaadi En Trip" |

## Television

[edit]

Year  | Name of Television Show  | Role  | Network

|
|
|

2023-2024  | Super Singer Season 10 | Judge | Star Vijay

## External links

[edit]

* Sean Roldan at IMDb

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "- Tamil News". Archived from the original on 2 December 2015.
2. ^ "All you want to know about #LalithaSudha". Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
3. ^ "Sean Roldan & Friends - wemdb.in". Archived from the original on 28 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
4. ^ "C.V. Kumar introduces Sean Roldan". Sify. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
5. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Mayakura Poovasam by Sean Roldan & Friends Music Mojo - Kappa TV". YouTube. 15 May 2013.
6. ^ "I was destined to be a part of Vaayai Moodi Pesavum: Sean Roldan". The Times of India. 13 January 2017. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2014.
7. ^ "Sean Roldan releases music video of new song 'Parai'". The Times of India. 4 March 2022. Archived from the original on 26 August 2023. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
8. ^ Narayanan, Lavanya (26 October 2018). "The best of all worlds, with Sean Roldan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
9. ^ Hymavati, Ravali (8 May 2023). "Modern Love Chennai: This Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Web Series Will Premier On Amazon Prime From This Date". www.thehansindia.com. Archived from the original on 17 May 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
10. ^ "Guru Somasundaram's 'Bottle Radha' to release on THIS date". The Times of India. 30 October 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
11. ^ Kumar, Akshay (9 December 2024). "Tears of joy in the eyes of Abishan Jeevinth". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
12. ^ தினத்தந்தி (27 May 2025). "விக்ரம் பிரபுவின் "லவ் மேரேஜ்" பட ரிலீஸ் அப்டேட்". www.dailythanthi.com (in Tamil). Retrieved 11 June 2025.
13. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (11 June 2025). "'Revolver Rita': Keerthy Suresh starrer locks release date". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 June 2025. `{{cite news}}`: `|last=` has generic name (help)

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*[†]: Film has not yet been released