He may not have been mobbed at the airport, but gearing up for STR’s Love Anthem – it seemed everybody wanted a piece of Akon. On set at Binny Mills, the ‘Smack That’ singer impressed actor Silambarasan and the crew gearing up for the shoot with his quick desi transformation in a crisp white veshti-sattai. And if this wasn’t surprise enough, STR tweeted later: ‘He has tried our kuthu step and he just rocked it :)

And beyond the buzz of the five-time grammy nominee’s traditional avatar, it turns out the Love Anthem team cannot stop raving about the singer’s humility. “I’ve never met a superstar as ‘superfriendly’ as Akon,” says photographer Karthik Srinivasan who shot the stills for the anthem. Srinivasan elaborates, “I don’t know whether the whole crew like the light guys and backstage hands knew just how big Akon is, or whether they’ve heard his music before....” He goes on, “But at the end of the shoot, a hundred people surrounded him to take photos with him – it was like a ‘Rajini-reception’!”

While the specifics of the shoot sequences are still under wraps, STR does tells us that the video will include elements such as “peace symbols, candles and Indian dancers”. One can chance a guess that these visuals will be set in place in the post production stages, given the chroma key set (green screen that allows a different background to be substituted) – in the photos that we’ve glimpsed of the shoot so far. This certainly ties in well with the fact that the lyrics with inputs from Akon – are multi-lingual. “The song has words in about 96 languages,” reveals STR. He adds,“This version will be different from the last version of the song. The new version will be more about oneness and the need to spread love.” Apparently the actor was scheduled to shoot in the US while on tour there, but couldn’t work out the dates at that time.

Now that the project has come together over a year later, the actor couldn’t be happier. He shared the feeling with fans on twitter saying, ‘God has always delayed things for me but has never ever denied it . Trust and belief is the only thing which has saved me all my life :)’ Clearly, smileys won’t be in short supply in STR’s statements this week.

Simbu Says : Akon was extremely sweet to work with. I really want to thank him for all his support. He did the English portions of the song, and there will also be an international female artist who will be singing on the track with me to record the other languages. We 're still on the lookout for this artist. As for the release date, nothing has been decided yet. I just want it to be perfect.

Source : New Indian Express (May 8, 2013)

Love Anthem Team

In the year 2011, Str has released the trail version of love anthem song and it becomes huge success among the str fans. And now the str has decided to complete the full version of the song. The lyrics of the song has written by our hero str with 96 languages and the concept of the song is to spread love all over the world among the peoples.

Pop Singer, Akon Joins with Our Str for the final version of the song. Akon lands the chennai city on may 4th and our hero invites him on chennai international airport.

The recording were completed on 5th may and they started the video shoot of the song.
The shots were taken in the Binny Mills, Chennai. Str and Akon were dressed in a traditional south Indian "Vesthi" and done the "Kuthu" dance well. Vasuki Baskar were designed the costumes for str and akon and the dance steps have been choreographed by Brindha master. Director Nelson and Vignesh Shivan were directed the song and the song were cinematographed by Shakthi. The Stills and Photoshoots were done by the Photographer Karthik Srinivasan.

The final version of Love Anthem will be release soon officially and we wish our hero and akon for the song to become a huge success.

Click Here For Photo Gallery Of Love Anthem For World Peace

- Strworld

There was no stopping the R&B superstar once he mastered the steps for Simbu’s Love Anthem

    Akon’s whirlwind visit to Chennai was about all things Indian. The R&B superstar — in the country to record, and perform, for Kollywood actor Simbu’s Love Anthem — looked every bit the local, dressed in a traditional south Indian vesthi as he indulged in some foot-tapping kuthu dance. 

    Sharing details about the special ‘kuthu’ step, Simbu told CT, “For one of the lines — Pyar Prema Kadhal… — I wanted Akon to do a kuthu step in traditional costume that’d surely appeal to audiences. When I told him that, he said, ‘You wear the costume; If I like it, I’ll do it’. When I wore it and stood in front of him, he exclaimed, ‘Wow, this is so cool’. His wife also liked it and so, we went ahead with it.” The music video, choreographed by Brinda, was directed by Vignesh Shivan and Nelson. 

    Akon, we hear, loved the steps in the number and spent time to learn them. A source who was present on the set says, “He watched some famous Tamil kuthu songs to get the steps right. And, once he was on the dance floor, he kept improvising and had everyone surprised.” 

    That’s not all; the Smack That singer also tucked into some Indian cuisine. Says Simbu, “Oh yes, I wanted him to have biryani, and ensured that it was specially made. He loved it. He was also very curious to know about movies and music made in India.” 

    The Love Anthem, which features lyrics from languages across the world, will be released in the US, and Akon will be part of the launch function as well. “He immediately agreed to grace the occasion,” reveals Simbu. “For me, it’s a dream come true. Despite being an international superstar, he was very cooperative and supported us thoroughly during the song recording and shoot.” 

Source From Times Of India (8th May,2013)

Simbu might have invited unwarranted criticism when he first embarked on his ambitious project, The Love Anthem, but today he's having the last laugh as Akon flew in to namma Chennai to record the song and shake a leg with him.

 Simbu is no push-over and brushing aside some of the negative press about his Love Anthem in the past, he says, “Lots was said about the anthem, the timing of it then and my US trip. But to all the backbiters and small minds who belittle me, the proof is in the music,” he laughs. STR who wrote the Love Anthem in 96 different national and international languages encountered some unpleasant comparisons and mocking, but his fans stood firmly behind him and the video’s teaser went viral online. He opens up, “It wasn’t easy dealing with such baseless criticism, but I have my fans and family to thank for the continued support. My only aim was to bring out a song for peace. There is so much going on in the world today and we, the youth have so much power to change the way we live, progress and protect our own...”

Having completed 28 long years in the industry (he started off as a child artiste when he was just nine months old), Simbu says, “Honest work always gets recognition. I knew one thing when I started acting as an adult — that I wouldn’t want to do anything that would embarrass my parents.


Films don’t appeal to me because of my role in it or plush locales that they are shot at, they have to have a larger message for the society.

Meaning doesn’t emerge from off beat films alone, even commercial flicks can have a message. Than people calling me as great actor, I want people to say he is a great human being and that would be the biggest achievement in my life.” Talking fondly of Akon, he says, “I have read about him in the past.

In fact meeting him far exceeded my expectations.

As an actor I can gauge star quality and he is one person who has real star quality and warmth. When I wrote this song, I only had him in mind to collaborate with. As soon as I pitched it to him he was thrilled. Even when the song is out I'm sure his fan base will increase in Tamil Nadu.

“ Was he nervous? “I was very nervous. Obviously, he is such a talented musician and I didn't know how he would react. The minute he landed, so much was running through my head -`will he like my lyrics', `will he want to change them’ and if he will be easy to work with,” he says and continues, “The minute we met he was so warm and suggested we get to work right away. But I told him let’s shoot from Monday and not Sunday. He was cool. He didn’t have any tantrums or airs about himself.” So, did he change the lyrics? “None whatsoever. He said he loved the lyrics as they were. Akon found depth and passion in the lyrics. I can’t tell you how touched I am by his generosity in helping me live my dream. My dream was always to give back something to the world. This track is that medium. I want to promote peace.“ He adds, “Akon always introduces himself by announcing his name or the artistes featured in his music and he introduced me too by saying `Akon and STR' without me even asking for it.


 “ Over biryani and other south Indian dishes, Akon tuned into STR's spiritual side. Friends close to STR say that the actor is deeply spiritual and off late has been in an introspective mood. Prod Simbu a little and he opens up, “I am not the same Simbu. Life and my close family have taught me to pursue my dreams no matter what the outcome. I feel no competition or jealousy anymore. I am truly happy if people are doing well. I am so very proud of Dhanush for all that he has achieved. The comparisons people draw mean nothing to the both of us. My main concentration is to better myself as a human being.“ And what prompted this sudden reflection? “My graph if you look at it carefully is a self-made one. Yes I have been fortunate to have supportive parents who have some exposure to the film industry, but I have worked incredibly hard. As a youngster it took a while for people to take me seriously. My talent spoke for itself but to get that talent noticed wasn’t easy. So, in this long journey I have realised that the strength one seeks is within us, the God that we all look to for protection is around us. We need to put out good to receive good.” If the song bombs, will you still be happy? “Yes, of course. Commercial success perhaps drives a newbie, but to me it’s about doing the right thing. 

The world has given me so much and let me trump every trough in my life. This is my dedication to the world. The song is all about loving each other and having no space for hate or animosity.”

Article From DC (8th May, 2013)

Str's Love Anthem International Final Version Shoots are taken in the Binny Mills, Chennai. Here is Shooting Spot photos of love anthem.

Silambarasan aka STR is all smiles, as he has pulled off the impossible. He had managed to bring internationally acclaimed hip hop recording artist, songwriter and album producer Akon to Chennai.
(In pic: Akon , photographer Karthik Srinivasan, STR) STR has pulled off the impossible, by making Akon come to ‘Namma Chennai’ to record the final version of his Love anthem . He also shot a traditional video for the song.

 
After a hectic 48 hours stay in Chennai Akon went back to the US. STR went personally to receiveand later drop Akon at the airport.On the way back from the airport after dropping Akon, STR told sify.com: “ Akon is so warm, simple, down-to-earth and generous person. I’m very happy and honored that he took time offhis busy schedule to come to Chennai and record an album. It isno small deal, but I managed to pull it off”

Akon’s only connection with Indiawas when he recorded the “Chamak Chalo..” song for Shah Rukh Khan and his RA 1 . At that time he had done it as SRK is a superstar and a phenomenon.
Simbu added : “Akon in fact got so many offers from top Indian music directors and actors to singfor them. But to sing with me is no small deal and he agreed to doso as he loved the Love Anthem song, its message, the beat and the various languages included in the lyrics.”

STR says he shot the video of the album with Akon at the Binny Millsin Chennai. Akon came to town with his wife and Simbu rolled out the red-carpet for them. He made sure they had a wonderful time in Chennai.

STR concluded by saying: “ The Love Anthem came out very well. Imade him wear our traditional veshti-sattai in one of the sequence and he thoroughly enjoyed it. While recording he was so full of energy and was calling out my name at every given moment. He has promised that he will arrange for a concert in LA this year where I will be singing with him”.

Rapper Akon (left) being welcomed by Simbu at the Chennai international airport on Saturday night. The Grammy nominee is in the city to record the international version for the actor’s Love Anthem. “On the way to the studio... recording the vocal tonite... excited and nervous as well... (sic),” tweeted Simbu on Sunday.

- TOI

Str Receives Akon In Chennai International Airport

While Recording

Love Anthem Team

    Simbu, of course, is excited about this collaboration, and says, “I’m very happy that Akon is coming down to namma Chennai to record for the final version of the Love Anthem. He will be in the city for three days to record for the song. He will also shoot for a day for it. The song has words in about 96 languages, and is about unity. We were scheduled to shoot in the US when I toured there, but couldn’t work out the dates at that time and now, it’s finally happening.” 

    “In his previous collaborations, Akon had just lent his voice. But with Love Anthem, he will be contributing to the lyrics department and also feature in its video,” adds the source.

Original Source from Times Of India

The much expected Simbu-Akon union is happening

Simbu had embarked upon an ambitious project for World Peace, a while ago. A Love Anthem was released to this effect more than a year ago but after this, the star got busy with his movie schedules and he had to put this album on the backburner. Now we hear that international pop sensation Akon would be coming to Chennai for shooting this album along with Simbu. The songs for this album have already been composed and Simbu had been to the US to perfect the compositions.

The shoots are expected to be held on the 5th and 6th of May in Chennai’s Binny Mills. Shakthi would be shooting the album and Vettai Mannan’s director Nelson would also be working on this project. 

Original Source :- Behindwoods

International Teaser of STR's Love Anthem For World Peace.