Special Feature: AR Rahman’s Special Interview!
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It’s a pleasant Saturday evening in Hyderabad. You start to hear some hustle and bustle within a 3km distance from the iconic Sheraton Hotel in the city. The ‘Bombay’ movie theme touches your soul and takes you away to another world. In a short time, your heart is lit as you hear the mesmerizing classical music from ‘Taal’. As you leave yourself to relish and experience the music, you are woken up by the trendy ‘Oh Sanaah’ from Yem Maya Chesave.
Commemorating his 25th year as a Music Director, the Two-time Oscar award winner, legendary music director, AR Rahman took part in a live-concert organized in the city.
The national and international media were anxiously waiting to get a 5-minute window to talk to the legend for an interview. Few media personnel got lucky to have a chit-chat with AR Rahman, and following is the excerpt from one such conversation
1.You have very good relations with the Telugu Film Industry and personnel for a very long time. You also work with many music directors from Telugu Film industry. What kind of encouragement did you receive from this (Telugu Film) industry?
A. The encouragement and experience I gained from Telugu Film industry are invaluable. I got the opportunity to work with many music directors starting with Ramesh Naidu to Raj-Koti. Every one of them has been highly supportive. I learnt various techniques in composing and recording.
My first project in Telugu ‘Aksharamala Project’. Late Director Bapu has given me the project. He asked me to compose music for then Andhra Pradesh Government’s ‘Aksharamala Project’. It gave me immense satisfaction and pleasure while composing ‘Telugu Alphabets using music’. Bapu’s son, Venugopal is a good friend of mine. The fact that Bapu is not with us, hurts me at a personal level.
2. We came to know that you heard and liked ‘Sye Raa… script’. Then why are you not working on such a prestigious project?
A. Yes. I did hear Sye Raa… script. I really liked it. And moreover, I’m a huge fan of Chiranjeevi. The only thing that kept me away from working on this film is the time factor. I really feel bad for not being able to work for such a good movie. I have been eagerly waiting to work for Chiranjeevi sir’s movie from a long time.
3. You shared a couple of times that you wanted to work with Director Viswanath. Did you both discuss on the same anytime?
A. I am an ardent disciple of Director Viswanath. He is given great importance to classical music in each of his films. It’s no-easy-task to make the audience sit in the theatre for over 2hours with a music-based film. it is only possible to him. That’s the reason, I consider each film of his as a lesson. We did discuss working on a film together. But I was busy with ‘Bombay Dreams’ Drama Project during that time. I still curse myself for missing that opportunity that day.
4. Are you encouraging your children towards Music?
A. There will not be any discussions about music in the house. My son does sing sons. While my elder daughter Khatija has finished her graduation recently. My younger daughter is too young. I dedicate my complete time to them whenever I’m in the house. I always believed that children need to grow with their self-intellect. And I have immense faith and confidence in self-intellect and talent. We discuss more personal life, our interests and dislikes when we are all at home. There would be no discussion on music and film in-house. I like the children to grow by their self-intellect. I don’t appreciate the thought of forcing my ideologies on the kids.
5. You have worked with Mani Ratnam right from his first film ‘Roja’ to his latest ‘Cheliya’. Did you ever feel that Mani Ratnam may not offer you his next movie? Or did Mani Ratnam ever felt that ‘will Rahman work for my next film’?
A. You have to ask Mani Ratnam about what he thought. But for me, I wanted myself to score music for every film of his.
6. In the past, Rahman was seen as an introvert. Even when asked for an interview, you always limited yourself greatly. But now, it looks like you are mingling well with everyone. How was this change possible?
A. I started writing scripts. ‘Lay Mask’ and ’99 Songs’ evolved from such thoughts only. My expression, communication and self-confidence greatly improved during the course of writing the scripts. Even my vocabulary improved drastically, because of which I am able to converse with anyone fluently. I am able to communicate with any hesitation about how and what I feel inside within me. All the credit goes to the ‘scripts’ itself!
7. Few playback singers who sang for you have often stated that you feel shy to sing in front of them in the studio. But you are always seen as if on high on-stage and carrying with the audience in a great way!
A. I converse with the audience to excite them and create an energetic environment. I have never thought of giving any speech like an orator. Would it make sense to lecture to those who have come to listen to the music? I take utmost care to not disappoint the crowd! I just speak a couple of words to create that excitement in them.
8. You have earned the hearts of a billion people. Did any propose you?
A. Let me tell you an interesting story. I came to know that I used to get a lot of love letter initially. But I never got to read even one of those love letters. My sisters used to hide them from my sight. There were instances where they even tore few letters. I came to know about this pretty late in life. You tell me, would I ever have a chance to love someone with such kind of sisters watching my back continuously? I never had such opportunity (laughs)!
9. Yours’s is a 25-year-long journey in Cinema and continuing. We have seen many biopics of people from the past and present. Did anyone approach you seeking your permission to direct a biopic on you?
A. There would no biopic of mine. I am sure about that. A handful producers and directors approached me for the same. I always rejected it. I don’t think the audience will be interested to know about my life. Everyone knows about me and my past. So what is the point of a biopic when you have nothing new to tell?
10. You are often seen at the Kadapa Dargah. Do you any special bonding with the place?
A. There is nothing like that. Whenever I visit the Dargah in Kadapa, my mind gets filled with peace and my stress is nowhere to be seen.
11. It is common for a music director to sing and write lyrics. But what encouraged you to become a director?
A. It’s all because of my wife. She loves perfumes a lot. She has the ability to speak about perfumes hours together, and even for the whole day. I thought it an interesting idea to build a story around perfumes, and I have written it. I felt only I can do justice to this script. But, as you know I have absolutely no time to direct a film. That’s the reason, using the VR (Virtual Reality) I’m making the film ‘Lay Mask’.
12. We heard that experimented with 8D technology while working on Robot 2.0. Would you like to share any more hidden secrets?
A. Why do you want to taste the food while you are being served? The songs already released. Extreme care has been taking while creating the Background Music for the film. I believe you know about Director Shankar and his vision! So Just wait for the film’s release to know more about the music.
13. The ‘KM Music Conservatory’ that has been started by you to encourage the young musicians has completed its 10th anniversary. How is its progress?
A. The journey with KM Music Conservatory is highly satisfying. We are able to maintain the world-class standards as I wished at the times of its establishment. I am working on crafting an exclusive ‘Orchestra’ with the students who have graduated from the KM Music Conservatory. A world tour is being planned with that orchestra. Maybe from next year, the world-tour by KM Orchestra might begin.
14. You still look young even though you crossed 50. What is your diet? Do you take any special care of your fitness?
A. You calling me fit? Look, I have a tummy that only increases with each day (laughs). Yes! I do take care of my diet. I don’t eat food that doesn’t suit me. I don’t take all kinds of foods. And I don’t eat at odd times. I have no time to hit the gym or do any special workouts.
15. Let us peek into the flashback! You took a decision to establish a recording studio in your house 25 years ago. And you had no money except your mother’s Jewels. You mother handed you her gold ornaments even without you asking her. with that money, you went on to create a world-class studio and by far the best studio in India at that time. Did you return your mother’s jewels?
A. Small corrections. It’s not 25 years, it’s 28 years. I composed my first jingles in that studio itself. Even Mani Ratnam sir heard my first tune sitting in that studio. And regarding the jewels, I gave my mom 3 times more (laughs)!
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