Sean Roldan

Sean Roldan (born Raghavendra Raja Rao) is an Indian composer, musician, and lyricist who predominantly works in the Tamil film industry. He has worked on Carnatic music, independent music, and film scores for the Tamil film industry. He rose to fame after gaining critical acclaim for his work in Balaji Mohan's Tamil-Malayalam bilingual Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram and is known for collaborating with debutant directors in Tamil cinema.

Early life Roldan was born as Raghavendra Raja Rao to the mridangam player Srimushnam V. Raja Rao and Padma, the daughter of novelist Sandilyan. He is married to Lalitha Sudha, a playback singer who works in the Indian film industry, primarily for films composed by him and has two children. He was drawn into film music by A.R. Rahman's debut album Roja.

Career

Film score and soundtracks Rao began a career in music composing and working on Carnatic tracks before venturing into independent Tamil music with his band Sean Roldan & Friends. Roldan was recommended by film producer C. V. Kumar to Varun Manian, the producer of the bilingual film Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram, who was looking for a composer after the director's original choice, Anirudh Ravichander, had opted out. He subsequently signed the film and chose to continue to credit himself as Sean Roldan for a career in the Tamil film industry. He produced eight tracks for the film, singing two, while including one inspired by the single track "Mayakkura Poo Vaasam" composed for his band. That same year, he composed music for the films Sathuranga Vettai, Mundasupatti, and Aadama Jaichomada. All soundtracks were well received. 2015 saw him composing the songs for 144.

In 2016, Roldan composed music for the political satire film Joker. The songs were well received. 2017 saw him composing music for Pa. Pandi, the directorial debut of actor Dhanush, and Roldan received praise for his work in the film. Three more films were released that year featuring Roldan's music: Neruppu Da, Katha Nayagan, and Velaiilla Pattadhari 2, the last of which he collaborated with Dhanush, but as a lead actor. Roldan's only film composed in 2018 was Kathiruppor Pattiyal. He composed two films in 2019: Mehandi Circus and Raatchasi.

In 2020, Roldan composed one song from Dharala Prabhu, and in 2021, he composed one song from Kasada Thapara. 2021 also saw him composing the music for the critically-acclaimed legal drama Jai Bhim. The film was his first collaboration with Suriya, and the music received positive reviews.

In 2022, Roldan released a music video called Parai. The video is about a Parai artist and his daughter who are subject to torment by casteists. He also co-wrote the song's lyrics.

Roldan has established a reputation for collaborating with debutant directors in Tamil cinema. His notable recent works with debutant directors include Good Night (2023; Vinayak Chandrasekaran), Lover (2024; Prabhuram Vyas), Lubber Pandhu (2024; Tamizharasan Pachamuthu), and Tourist Family (2025; Abishan Jeevinth). All films received positive reviews.

Playback singing Roldan has mainly sang songs for his own films but has frequently worked with composers Pradeep Kumar and Santhosh Narayanan. He has also worked with the likes of Anirudh Ravichander, D. Imman, and Yuvan Shankar Raja. Roldan's music draws heavy inspiration from Tamil composer Ilaiyaraaja. His greater aim is to represent Indian music internationally.

Discography

As composer Note: all work is in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.

The films are listed in order that the music released, regardless of the dates the film released. The year next to the titles of the films indicates the release year of the either dubbed or remade version in the named language later than the original version. • indicates original language release. Indicates simultaneous makes, if featuring in more languages.

As singer YearFilmSongMusicCo-artist(s) 2013 Onbadhule Guru "Theera Theera" K Anand Aravindakshan, K, Premgi Amaren2014 Cuckoo "Manasula Soora Kaathey" Santhosh Narayanan Divya Ramani "Potta Pulla" Vaayai Moodi Pesavum "Shut Up! Vaaya Moodu! Pesadhe!" Sean Roldan Balaji Mohan "Kadhal Ara Onnu Vizundhuchu" Shakthisree GopalanMundasupatti "Ambala Singam" Haricharan "Rasa Magarasa (Solo Version)" "Rasa Magarasa (Duet Version)" Rita, Anthony Daasan Maine Pyar Kiya (Telugu) "Ee Prema Manakoddhu" Pradeep Kumar Sathuranga Vettai "Yemarum Jename" Sean Roldan Pradeep Kumar "Verichodi Ponathada" Jigarthanda "Hoo Haa" Santhosh NarayananAadama Jaichomada "Nalla Kettuka Paadam" Sean Roldan A. V. Ramanan "Odura Nari" 2015 Naanum Rowdy Dhaan "Kannana Kanne" Anirudh Ravichander 144 "Vinai Theerkum Pillaiyada" Sean Roldan Sathyaprakash, Shenbagaraj "Poove Pooviname" Chinmayi2016 Irudhi Suttru "Vaa Machaney" Santhosh Narayanan Jil Jung Juk "Red Road-U" Vishal Chandrasekhar Santhosh Narayanan, Vishal Chandrashekhar Oru Naal Koothu "Adiyae Azhagae" Justin Prabhakaran Joker "Chellamma" Sean Roldan K. Perumal, M. Lalitha Sudha "Halla Bol" Kalyani Nair Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings "Idhu Kadhaiya" Yuvan Shankar Raja Kharesma Ravichandran2017 Rum "Kadavule Vidai" Anirudh Ravichander Pragathi GuruprasadPa. Pandi "Paarthen" (The Youth of Power Paandi) Sean Roldan Shweta Mohan "Veesum Kaathodadhaan" (Power Paandi: The Nomad) Anthony Daasan "Venpani Malarae" (The Romance of Power Paandi - Male Version) Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen "Yembuttu Irukuthu Aasa" D. Imman Kalyani Nair Thondan "Poi Varavaa" Justin Prabhakaran Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 "Iraivanai Thandha Iraiviye" (Angel of Raghuvaran) Sean Roldan M. M. Manasi Katha Nayagan "Kathanayagan The Hero"Neruppu Da "Aalangiliyae" Shweta Mohan "Enga Pona" 2018 Kaathiruppor Pattiyal "Call Mela Call Pootu" Kolamavu Kokila "Edhuvaraiyo" Anirudh Ravichander Gautham Vasudev Menon Ratsasan "Kanamma Kanvizhi" Ghibran Seemaraja "Onnavitta Yaarum Yenakilla (Version 1)" D. Imman Shreya Ghoshal2019 LKG "Ethanai Kaalam Dhaan" (Remix) Leon James Monster Ennai Theadi Justin Prabhakaran Pop Shalini Mehandi Circus "Vellatu Kannazhagi" Sean Roldan Raatchasi "Kondatam" Bamba Bakya "Sigarame" Nithyashree A1 "Aatha Valikkudu" Santhosh Narayanan 2020 Ponmagal Vandhal "Pookalin Porvai" Govind Vasantha Keerthana Vaidyanathan Andhaghaaram "Izhupari Aattam" Pradeep Kumar 2021 Uppena (Telugu) "Sandram Lone Neerantha" Devi Sri Prasad Choo Mandhirakaali "Dracula Chellakkutti" Satish Raghunathan M. M. Manasi Kasada Thapara "Nee Podhum Kanna"Sean Roldan Jai Bhim"Indha Polladha"2022 Kuthiraivaal "Parandhu Pogindren" Pradeep Kumar Priyanka NK My Dear Bootham "Thangamey" (Version I) D. Imman2023 August 16 1947 "Seenikaari" Sean Roldan Sathyaprakash Dharmar "Kottikara Payalae" Meenakshi Ilayaraja Good Night "Naan Gaali" Kalyani Nair "Naan Gaali Reprise" Modern Love Chennai "Jingrudha Dhanga" (Lalagunda Bommaigal) "Uravu" (Lalagunda Bommaigal) Padmapriya RaghavanLucky Man "Naanthan Raja" 2024Lover"Thensudare"Shaktishree Gopalam "Ezhutha Kadhaiyo"Mega AgarwalVadakkupatti Ramasamy "Abarako"SanthanamCaptain Miller "Un Oliyile"G. V. Prakash KumarInga Naan Thaan Kingu "Maayoney" D. Imman Jonita GandhiLubber Pandhu "Aasa Orave" Sean Roldan Vettaiyan "Uchathila" Anirudh Ravichander Aalan "Yen Anaindhai" Manoj Krishna 2025Kudumbasthan"Zero Balance Hero"VaisaghTourist Family"Mugai Mazhai"Sean Roldan Saindhavi"Aachaley""Maname"Manoj KrishnaUppu Kappurambu (Telugu)"Nomilala"Sweekar Agasthi2026Parasakthi"Adi Alaye"G. V. Prakash KumarDheeWith Love"Morattu Muttal" Sean Roldan29"Seelay Seelay"Chinmayi

As lyricist

Television