‘Aakash’ re-release: When songs powered Puneeth Rajkumar’s blockbuster

Ever since the re-release of Akash (2005)was announced, fans of Puneeth Rajkumar have been flooding the comments section under the movie’s evergreen songs on YouTube. The album, composed by RP Patnaik, offers a nostalgic rush to millennials. In fact, Aakash, which hit the screens again on March 13, 2025, broke the mould for Puneeth.

The actor’s rise to the top was on the back of action movies. Appu (2002), Abhi (2003), Veera Kannadiga (2004), and Maurya (2004) gave him the image of a “mass” hero. Aakash, directed by Mahesh Babu and written by Janaradhana Maharshi, allowed Puneeth to crack the lover-boy template. The actor didn’t disappoint, as he revelled in the relationship drama genre, leading the film to massive success. Apart from Puneeth, Patnaik’s songs were the backbone.

“When we began working on the songs, I had a feeling that the album was going to be timeless. People still listen to ‘Neene Neene’and ‘Aaha Entha Aa Kshana’. Fans continue to sing the songs of Aakash. They will enjoy a great longevity, like Kishore da’s (Kishore Kumar) songs,” Patnaik tells The Hindu.

The ‘Neene Neene’ backstory

The veteran composer recollects the experience of composing ‘Neene Neene’. “Raghanna (Raghavendra Rajkumar) felt a romantic number might not suit Appu (Puneeth) because he had a ‘mass’ image on screen. However, melody was my strength. During one of our discussions in the studio, I sang the first line of the song all of a sudden. Raghanna loved it. He said it’s going to be a huge hit.”

Puneeth Rajkumar and Ramya in ‘Neene Neene’ song.
| Photo Credit:
Jhankar Music and PRK Productions/YouTube

Classical gem

Another classical melody, ‘Aha Entha Aa Kshana’, featuring Ramya and Puneeth, is a popular number. “The song begins with a Hindustani classical Aalap. That made the difference. That made the difference. The director wanted a female solo, and I composed this song with Chitramma (KS Chitra) in mind. It was perfect for her. We were producing a background score with a patho feel from the song, and that’s when Rajesh sang a male version (’Enidu Ee Dina’) of it. It came out beautifully,” describes Patnaik.

A still from ‘Aha Entha Aa Kshana’.
| Photo Credit:
Jhankar Music/YouTube

Underrated

The biggest challenge for Patnaik was to match the energy of Puneeth. “’Habba Habba’ was one such song. It was a wedding song. We composed it aiming for it to become so famous that it will be played in all the weddings,” says Patnaik, who goes on to pick his underrated song from the album. “For me, Hodi Hodi is underrated. It’s sung by Puneeth, so his fans love it. But I feel every music lover will like it.”

RP Patnaik.
| Photo Credit:
rp.patnaik/Instagram

Kunal Ganjawala magic

Kunal Ganjawala, who was called to sing the upbeat and fun ‘O Maria’, ended up also singing ‘Neene Neene’. “We had a gut feeling that Kunal’s voice would work for ‘Neene Neene,” says Patnaik. “He didn’t sound like a North Indian. He was sounding like a Kannadiga. He took the song to the next level with the punch in his song. While we were recording, when he sang the words neene neene, I had goosebumps.”

Puneeth Rajkumar in ‘O Maria’ song.
| Photo Credit:
JhankarMusicVEVO/YouTube

Patnaik, who missed being part of the Aakash re-release celebrations for work reasons, is composing songs for the upcoming Kannada film, Ruby. Popularplayback singer Himesh Reshammiya is making his Kannada cinema debut with the movie. “It’s going to be a blockbuster album,” signs off Patnaik.