Duniya Vijay’s City Lights Strikes a Raw Chord with ‘Baava Baava’

Duniya Vijay is returning to familiar emotional terrain with City Lights, his third directorial venture after Salaga and Bheema. Headlined by Vinay Rajkumar and introducing Monisha Vijay Kumar, the film explores the unseen side of Bengaluru and the struggles of people trying to survive beneath the city’s glittering surface.

The makers have now kickstarted the film’s musical journey with the release of ‘Baava Baava,’ a gritty rap-driven track composed by Charan Raj and written and performed by rapper Ankit Kumar. Packed with local flavour and raw energy, the song reflects the emotional pulse of the film’s world.

Speaking about the track, Vijay explained that rap felt like the ideal medium to express the pain and struggles central to City Lights. Composer Charan Raj added that Vijay’s clarity as a filmmaker helped shape the music in the right emotional direction.

The film follows two individuals who move from a village to Bengaluru in search of a better life, only to confront the harsh realities of survival in a fast-moving and indifferent city. Carrying the tagline “Javabdaari… Deepagalu,” the story balances themes of responsibility, hardship, and hope.

Vinay Rajkumar praised the film’s music and described his collaboration with Vijay as a valuable learning experience. He also appreciated Monisha’s performance in her debut role. Meanwhile, Monisha shared that working under her father’s direction gave her a unique perspective and helped her understand the layered realities of Bengaluru, as Vijay personally introduced her to locations tied to the film’s story.

Backed by cinematographer Shivasena, editor Deepu S Kumar, dialogue writer Masti, and music director Charan Raj, City Lights is produced under the Duniya Talkies and Yantrouddharaka banners by Duniya Vijay and Vikram Arya.