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Lyrics & meaning

Once Upon A Time

From Vikram-2022 · 2022

Lyricist
Heisenberg
Singer
Anirudh Ravichander
Music director
Anirudh Ravichander
Details
Vikram-20222022

Lyrics & meaning

♫ Tanglish lyrics↻ English translation
Male
Once upon a timeOnce upon a time
There lived a ghostThere lived a ghost
He is known to be a killerHe was known to be a killer
And fear the most…And feared above all others...
Male
The eagle is coming..The eagle is arriving..
You better start running..You had better start running away..
His blood is rushing..His blood is surging with adrenaline..
Stunnin and gunning…Stunning everyone and firing his guns...
Male
The eagle is coming..The eagle is arriving..
You better start running..You had better start running away..
His blood is rushing..His blood is surging with adrenaline..
Stunnin and gunning…Stunning everyone and firing his guns...
Male
Once upon a timeOnce upon a time
There lived a ghostThere lived a ghost
He is known to be a killerHe was known to be a killer
And fear the most….And feared above all others...

Beyond the translation

Song interpretation

This high-octane theme song from 'Vikram' (2022) serves as a dramatic elevation track for the protagonist, Agent Vikram (played by Kamal Haasan). The lyrics frame him as a legendary covert operative code-named 'Ghost' who has operated in the shadows for years. Metaphorically referring to him as an 'eagle' hunting its prey, the track issues a chilling warning to his enemies that the lethal operative has resurfaced to execute absolute justice. The song sets an intense, atmospheric tone within the Lokesh Cinematic Universe (LCU), capturing the dangerous allure and unstoppable nature of the central character as his adrenaline surges for the final showdown.

Writing craft

Poetic devices

Metaphor

“There lived a ghost / The eagle is coming..”

The protagonist is metaphorically referred to as a 'ghost' due to his covert, officially dead status, and as an 'eagle' symbolizing a majestic, sharp-sighted predator hunting his enemies.

End Rhyme (Iyaipu)

“The eagle is coming.. / You better start running.. / His blood is rushing.. / Stunnin and gunning…”

The deliberate use of end-rhyming words ending in '-ing' ('coming', 'running', 'rushing', 'gunning') creates a rhythmic, driving pace that matches the energetic score.

Repetition

“Once upon a time / There lived a ghost...”

The repetition of the opening verse establishes a narrative framing device, treating the legendary operative like a mythical dark fairy tale figure.

Did you know?

Trivia

The tagline 'Once upon a time, there lived a ghost' was prominently used in the movie's first title teaser, instantly creating massive hype. The lyricist pseudonym 'Heisenberg' is a homage to the famous character Walter White from Breaking Bad, used by director Lokesh Kanagaraj and team for English tracks. Additionally, calling the protagonist an 'Eagle' is a tribute to the spy motif from Kamal Haasan's original 1986 film 'Vikram'.

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