R.D. Burman a futuristic genius who knew pulse of masses

He was a "futuristic genius", who knew the "pulse of the masses", says ace film journalist Chaitanya Padukone, who has authored a book "R.D. BurMania -- Panchamemoirs" which attempts to unravel the mystique behind Burman. Padukone, started his journalistic career by interviewing Burman -- who is affectionately called Pancham Da -- and says even after 22 years of his death, people are still crazy about his music. "22 years after he has passed away, there are so many (tribute) concerts still happening and most of them are sold out. People are crazy about his music and his signature sounds," Padukone, a Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award winner. "He was a futuristic genius, who would anticipate what would be popular... This came to him naturally. He would offer four to five options to the producer or director. If the producer didn't have the music sense, it would be a negative situation. At the same time, he would suggest a better tune," he added. His fans may know of him as a superstar music director who churned hits after hits and dabbled in an array of genres, but Padukoke, who shared a warm rapport with Burman for a decade, said that he was "very humble and modest".