The much-awaited first single Salambala from Madharaasi, directed by AR Murugadoss and starring Sivakarthikeyan, was officially released yesterday – and the internet wasted no time dancing along… or debating.
The song is a vibrant, high-energy track composed by Anirudh Ravichander, with vocals by the young and promising Sai Abhyankkar. The lyrics by Super Subu are catchy and colloquial, keeping in tune with the vibrant tone of the film. True to his form, Sivakarthikeyan lights up the screen with his signature hook step and boundless energy. Fans have already begun mimicking the dance on social media, with the #SalambalaStep quickly picking up traction.
“@Siva_Kartikeyan’s dance vera level energy 💥” tweeted a fan, praising his trademark charm.
“Another vibe song from @anirudhofficial 🔥,” echoed another tweet.
While the SK-Ani combination has historically churned out hit after hit – from Remo to Doctor – Salambala appears to be a mixed bag for some listeners this time around.
A few netizens expressed disappointment with the song’s musical structure, calling it “monotonous” and likening it to Anirudh’s earlier works like Thaatha Varraaru and Monica. One user even quipped,
“Thalaivaa… sathiyama nalla illa 👎 Harris Jayaraj would’ve suited your film better.”
This marks AR Murugadoss’s musical collaboration with Anirudh once again, but fans of the director are urging him to diversify his composer choices going forward.
Still, the song is trending on YouTube and X (formerly Twitter), thanks to the trio’s undeniable fan base. The combo of Sivakarthikeyan’s mass appeal, Anirudh’s viral soundscape, and Sai Abhyankkar’s youthful voice seems to have given Salambala an edge on first impression – even if not universally acclaimed.
As anticipation builds for the rest of Madharaasi’s soundtrack and the film’s release, Salambala does its job: it gets people talking, moving, and debating.
Love it or loathe it, Salambala has made its noise – and it’s loud.