Santhosh Narayanan Reigns Supreme: Fans Vote ‘Retro’ as the Undisputed Musical Masterpiece of 2025
In the world of Tamil cinema, few composers command the kind of fierce loyalty and critical acclaim that Santhosh Narayanan does. As the year 2025 draws to a close, the composer, affectionately known as “SaNa,” took to social media to engage with his fanbase, sparking a viral conversation that has effectively crowned his latest work, the soundtrack for the film Retro, as the defining album of the year.
The interaction began on a grateful note this morning when Santhosh Narayanan posted a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter). At 8:45 AM on December 29, 2025, the composer wrote: “Thank you for the incredible support and love for my music this year. Which was your fav song of mine this year? ❤️❤️🙏🙏”
What followed was not just a comment section, but a celebration. Within minutes, the post garnered thousands of views and hundreds of replies, painting a vivid picture of the current musical landscape in South India. While the composer has had a prolific year, one word dominated the timeline: Retro.
The ‘Retro’ Tsunami
If there was any doubt about the impact of the Suriya-starrer Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the fan responses laid them to rest. An overwhelming majority of the replies didn’t just pick a song; they picked the entire album.
User @anishsaravanan_ kept it simple yet emphatic, commenting, “Whole #Retro Album!” This sentiment was echoed by dozens of others, including @ramkumar23_, who wrote, “No doubt ‘THE ONE’ from you is such an incredible one 💥🧨 Also the Collab edsheeran such a beautiful song ❤️… Expecting lot more from next year thalaiva.”
The enthusiasm suggests that Retro is not merely a collection of songs but a cohesive musical experience that has resonated deeply with listeners. The album appears to have struck a rare balance, offering tracks that cater to both the “mass” audience looking for high-energy anthems and the “class” audience seeking soulful melodies.
“The One”: The Anthem of 2025
Among the individual tracks singled out by fans, “The One” emerged as a clear heavyweight champion. The track, which features a powerhouse collaboration including Sid Sriram, Santhosh Narayanan, SVDP, and Vivek, seems to be the “elevation” song of the year.
A user named Rolex (@ManoMan65836939) posted a poster of the track with the caption, “The One from #Retro @Suriya_offl 💥”, highlighting the track’s association with the lead actor’s screen presence. Another fan, Joe (@J_2_JOE), summarized the general consensus: “Whole Retro 🔥 But this –> ‘The One’ 💥🌋”.
The track’s popularity is backed by streaming numbers, with one user, TN_Politics_Movies, sharing a screenshot of their “Top Song” on a streaming platform, showing “The One” with over 200 streams, captioned simply: “I have proof 😌”. This digital footprint validates the anecdotal evidence from the comments section—fans aren’t just talking about the song; they are listening to it on loop.
The Soulful Side: “Etharkaga Marubadi” and “Kannadi Poove”
While “The One” captured the adrenaline of the fans, the emotional core of the Retro album seems to lie in two other tracks: “Etharkaga Marubadi” and “Kannadi Poove”.
“Etharkaga Marubadi” was frequently cited as a favorite, particularly for its vocals. User Sharan Vetrivelan highlighted the specific singers, asking, “Edharkaga marubadi sung by punya selva 🤔 enna maariyana velaipadu 😤”, praising the intricate work in the track. Another user, Purple Dino, posted, “Etharakaga Marubadi ❤️❤️❤️”, signifying the song’s emotional resonance.
Interestingly, fans noted different versions of the song, with Pranav Kannan mentioning, “Etharkaaga Marubadi by Ananthu and Aalaypikkey Ummak”, suggesting that Santhosh Narayanan employed multiple vocalists to give the song varied textures, a signature move that evidently paid off.
“Kannadi Poove” was another recurring favorite. User Sai vignesh rated it “100” while Raghu Varshan declared, “‘Kannadi Poove’ No other options”. The recurring mentions of these melodies indicate that while the energetic tracks draw people in, the melodies are what keep them returning to the album.
Beyond ‘Retro’: A Year of Diversity
While Retro stole the spotlight, the thread also served as a reminder of Santhosh Narayanan’s versatility. Fans dropped mentions of other notable works from 2025, ensuring that his broader discography wasn’t ignored.
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“Aagasa Veeran”: User Hathim mentioned this track alongside others, and user Winvasan specifically pointed out “Aagasa Veeran from Thalaivan Thalaivi”, indicating another successful soundtrack in the composer’s portfolio this year.
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“Sikandar”: There were requests and praises for the “Sikandar Title Track”, with fans like Vishnu Ram asking for the theme song to be released on streaming platforms officially.
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“Kanima”: Cited by users like Vijay Karthikeyan and Bala Venkatesan, this track seems to be another hidden gem that has its own dedicated following.
The Fan Connection
What makes this interaction particularly special is the genuine connection between the composer and his audience. Santhosh Narayanan has always been known for his distinct sound—a fusion of folk, electronica, rock, and Gaana. The comments section reflects an audience that appreciates this experimentation.
User TamilMindsetStudio wrote a touching tribute: “Honestly, your music carried so many moments this year 🥹❤️ Hard to choose one when every song felt personal 🙏✨”. This comment encapsulates the role of a film composer in Indian cinema: they provide the background score to the lives of millions.
Another fan, Guruvi, tweeted in Tamil, praising the uniqueness of SaNa’s style: “Ungaoda ella paattum thani style-la irukum bro.. eliyavan paaduna eppadi irukkumo appadi..” (All your songs have a unique style, bro… they sound like how a common man would sing). This grounded, authentic quality is precisely what sets Santhosh Narayanan apart.
Industry Implications
The overwhelming success of the Retro album, as evidenced by this informal poll, bodes well for the film’s legacy. In Indian cinema, a hit album is often half the battle won at the box office. With tracks like “The One” generating “goosebumps” (as mentioned by user Blacky) and melodies like “Etharkaga Marubadi” capturing hearts, the film Retro has clearly secured a permanent place in pop culture.
Furthermore, the collaboration with heavyweights like Karthik Subbaraj and Suriya suggests a synergy that fans are eager to see repeated. As user Tea Kada Raja hopefully asked, “Again D combo eppo nah?”, hinting at future collaborations.
Conclusion
As 2025 wraps up, Santhosh Narayanan stands tall. His simple question on a Monday morning elicited a roar of approval that reaffirmed his status as a musical icon. Whether it is the thumping bass of a mass number or the gentle strumming of a melody, SaNa has delivered.
If the fan verdict is anything to go by, the soundtrack of 2025 is undeniably Retro, and the conductor of this symphony is, without a doubt, Santhosh Narayanan.
