Using a hit to pass a message

KOCHI: Jimikki Kammal, Shaan Rahman’s peppy song from the movie ‘Velipaadinte Pusthakam’, has created a global stir, surpassing 37 million views in a little over a month’s time. A rising number of dance covers have been made to its tune, and the fever still continues. Joining the league, in their own unique way, is Heyyo Media group’s parody take on the song. The video, which has crossed 10,000 views on YouTube, is a satirical take on the over-priced yet technologically advanced iPhone X.
The lyrics describe the funny truth about how owning an iPhone is seen as a symbol of social status even though its owner could be penniless and starving. The music video, taken as a single shot, sees a jolly cast dancing and prancing around their office space.

Jayakrishnan Pillai, the founder of Heyyo, talks about how the idea was born. “It was a day or two after the iPhone X released and we were watching all these funny video responses to the phone’s price and sophisticated new features. Now, this was the same time Jimikki Kammal was spreading on the Internet like wildfire. And it crossed my mind that melding these two together would undeniably create something spectacular. Within the next few hours, all of us at work gathered together and began working on the lyrics. It was amazing how everyone had a funny bit to contribute.”

Once the lyrics were done, Manu Varghese, the voice behind the video, who is also the vocalist at Traffic Block, helped them out with the recording. And in less than a week’s time, the choreography was taken care of by Deepti Varma, who is the content creator at Heyyo. “We had so much fun making this video, and have put our heart and soul into its making. We’re overwhelmed by the response,” says Sreejith P A, Heyyo’s creative head, with a broad smile.