{
  "id": 14065225,
  "title": "GVM brings 25 years of music and memories to KL",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/gvm-brings-25-years-of-music-and-memories-to-kl",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/10/13/gvm-brings-25-years-of-music-and-memories-to-kl"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On Saturday night, \"Ondra Renda - 25 Years of GVM\" brought together Gautham Vasudev Menon, playback singers Saindhavi and Karthik for a concert celebrating the filmmaker's 25-year career. Held at The Arch Galeries in Kuala Lumpur, the event drew more than 4,500 attendees to relive the music and memories of GVM's films.\n\nTitled after the 2003 song \"Ondra Renda\" from his film \"Kaakha Kaakha\", the concert placed GVM at its center, combining live performances with discussions about his creative process. The program included songs from GVM's directorial debuts \"Minnale\" (2001) and \"Kaakha Kaakha\" (2003), as well as hits from \"Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu\", \"Vaaranam Aayiram\", \"Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa\" and \"Neethaane En Ponvasantham\".\n\nRenowned singers like Karthik, Krish, Saindhavi and Sathya Prakash performed popular tracks, while GVM sang original songs and paid tribute to influences like composer Ilaiyaraaja and director Mani Ratnam. Scenes from the films played on screens behind the performers, connecting the music to the on-screen stories.\n\nAudience member Alysha Edward appreciated GVM's reflections on his collaborations with composers and the emotional connection between his music and films. For Pooja Harikrishnan, the evening felt like revisiting her 13-year journey as a fan of GVM's work. The concert concluded with an energetic dance to \"Ava Enna\" from \"Vaaranam Aayiram\", with GVM emphasizing the transformative power of art.",
  "summary": "The filmmaker marked over two decades behind the camera with a night of beloved songs, stories and familiar cinematic moments at The Arch Galeries.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "GVM brings 25 years of music and memories to KL",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/gvm-brings-25-years-of-music-and-memories-to-kl-14066705",
        "published": "2026-10-12T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}