How Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal catapulted Hyderabad’s fusion band Threeory to fame

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based fusion rock band Threeory, has recently garnered attention for their brief yet impactful appearance in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s latest film Animal. The band’s standout cameo in the movie’s entry scene featuring Ranbir Kapoor has created ripples across the Internet, particularly for their captivating mashup of legendary composer AR Rahman’s songs from the movie Roja.

In a conversation with NewsMeter, Threeory delved into their musical journey, their experience collaborating with the Animal team, and their plans for the future, including the release of upcoming original compositions.

Origins in fusion

Formed in 2013 as a trio and later expanding into a nine-member ensemble, Threeory is recognised for its unique fusion of rock with Telugu and South Indian music.

The band comprises Mark Talur on keys, Datta Sai Prasa on violin, Tarun Vishal on drums, Imtiakum on bass, Sentilong Ao on guitar, Syntyche Mongro as the female vocalist, Akhileshwar Chennu as the male vocalist, Irfan Ahmed Khan on sitar, and Pavan Kumar MS on tabla.

“Progressive rock is a complex composition technique that blends rock with cultural and traditional Indian music. It’s a subgenre of rock that allows artists to create unique renditions. For example, when progressive rock is applied to Roja’s music, it adds a contemporary touch while preserving its beauty,” Tarun Vishal said, describing their genre.

Band discovered on YouTube

The band’s unexpected entry into the film industry traces to six years ago when they performed at the audio launch of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s debut Arjun Reddy. Sandeep, impressed by their musical prowess, discovered the band through YouTube videos. The director envisioned and recreated a scene from one of their videos for Animal.

Recalling their experience with the Animal team, Sai Prasa shared, “When Vanga reached out to us for a shoot in Mumbai, we did not know anything about the movie. We hurried to the location, and upon being introduced to Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna, we were awestruck. We cannot forget the moment Ranbir got up and introduced himself.”

Where to see Threeory live?

The two-day shoot, described as a dream come true, marked an enjoyable experience for the band. Continuing to maintain a regular presence at pubs and events in Hyderabad, Threeory remains open to opportunities that may come their way.

Having gained popularity for their interpretations of classics like Roja and Game of Thrones, the band is now gearing up for the release of their eagerly anticipated original tracks in the coming year.