Quite Frankly… A. R. Rahman
Rahman talks to Hindustan Times about his forthcoming movies, his itch to find dream projects, and being a Himesh Reshammiya Fan,… (no kidding !)
What are your forthcoming releases?
Well, I am looking forward to Mani Ratnam’s Guru, as I have put in a lot of hard work in the project. Moreover, it is great working with Mani and Gulzar. We make a good team and are coming back together after a gap of two years.
With Jodha Akbar you add another period movie to your list. Any personal reasons for signing period movies?
Nothing like that. It’s just that directors approach me with good projects.
How is it composing music for period movies?
Period movies give you a chance to learn and experiment. It also depends a lot on the director too - whether he wants the music of his movie according to the corresponding era or he is open to experimentation.
Several musical instruments present today were absent in the past. But still we can use them for making music for a historical provided it sounds good. For example - the music in Moulin Rouge used drums and it sounded good. But, as I said, a lot depends on the director.
It is heard that you have signed Bappi Lahiri to sing a song in Guru?
Yes, Bappi Lahiri has sung a song for Guru. I heard him sing at an award function and asked him to sing for Guru. Moreover, the song is a Bengali number and Bappi sounds good in it.
Is it true that you are a fan of new music sensation Himesh Reshammiya?
Yes, I like one of his songs. The one called Aashiq Banaya Aapne.
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Recently you composed music for several commercials.
See, I started my career composing for commercials and then moved on to films. Now I am back again composing music for commercials. So I think my life has come full circle.
What is more challenging - composing for commercials or films?
For me it is equally challenging because it takes the same amount of dedication, energy and time.
You were famous for your weird working hours - from midnight till morning. Are you still continuing the same?
(laughs…) Ya, I am very much the same with the same working hours.
So when do you sleep?
I sleep from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon.
Tell us about your international projects?
I would be working on Shekar Kapur’s Elizabeth II, Lord Of The Rings Musical and there are plans to collaborate with a very big international guitarist whose name I cannot divulge right now.
Are you happy with the state of music in India?
In India, people just listen to film music. I think that attitude needs to be changed. We should be open to all forms of music.
Any dream project?
I don’t have any dream project. Even the little success I have till now seems like a dream to me.
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July 6th, 2006 at 8:33 pm
Long live AR…….one hell of a genius
July 6th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
You know wat the best thing about this guy ARR is ??
Despite so much success …despite shekar kapoor, mani rathnam, Ashutosh gowarikar, Shankar, Andrew Lyod weber, Subhash ghai, and a hundred other producers/directors standing a queue outside his house…he doesnt blow his own trumpt like Anu malik, himesh reshammiya, Ismail Darbar.
Guess the south indian cultural values are still deep in him !!!!
arguably the best since RD Burman
July 7th, 2006 at 3:34 am
Yeah,A humble and God-fearing man he is:)
He’s the best in India.
August 11th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
He cann’t be the best,. He just gives different sounds collectively produced by electronic instruments. Nothing more than that.
He has given Hits , but all are for short period.
Pls don’t compare him with R.D.Burman.
August 17th, 2006 at 4:53 am
listen, music lovers a.r.rahman is a young music legend in the history of Indian filmi music. No, other music director or musician cannot be compared with rahman. His music is unique. He not only produce different sounds but also great tunes which extracts from carnatic and classical music forms. He can any music style in the world. Though he was a master in western , he was a genius in Indian classical, the ragas are in his blood only. He was the only Indian who crossed the boundaries in to world music and made international listeners to his music. From the past 100 years and in future 100 years there will be no musician like a.r.rahman, even R.D.BURMAN , ILLAYARAAJA are not equal to rahman and not comparable even they are great musicians. Only one thing we can say , definitely we will experience a great feel while listening to his music. VANDEMATHARAM his great musical adventure , no other musician in the world had done a album like that
August 19th, 2006 at 10:05 am
One and only…… The Rahman….. god of music……
September 18th, 2006 at 11:04 am
A R Rahman the greatest musician in the world and The god of music .He has make indian music and India so mush prouder . No other music composer has made India so mush prouder international and I think in few year people all over the world will called this genius the greatest Mozart in the world .
September 25th, 2006 at 10:21 pm
Touchin, heart rendering, catchy, dance numbers, classical; whatever u can imagine the mood and variation is. This man “A R Rahman” can produce it all to perfection. Believe it or not, I’m Bangladeshi & I’m still listening & addicted to hindi music only because of his music, though I love some other’s music also. But this is true that whenever I hear his music, it feels like magic. His music casts hypnotic spell on u. U just keep loving & cherishing it all through your life. He has made hindi music international. He is the pioneer of modern hindi music. He is undoubtedly the best ever in the history of hindi music. & to me he is the best in the world.
September 27th, 2006 at 11:03 pm
for sidhu m kartik,:-w
let me tell u guy,what do u mean by that
“He cann’t be the best,.
He has given Hits , but all are for short period.
Pls don’t compare him with R.D.Burman. ”
haa /:)
dont u remember rangeela,dil se,lagaan,and many more whole the world humming the songs of that movies,and for ur comment of electronics instruments,he has composed for 1947 earth without it ya ,only by handy instruments,and it was hit too,ok
its right burman was great he is no more ,if he was here he would compared with rahman but after him the No. 1 is A R Rahman
now shut ur mouth and hand from pc,before i splat on ur mouth,coz sto o one cold sets up
for commenters:
with the name of ARR and a long booooooo to Mr sidhuuuuuuu
give me the HELL YEAH:o
September 29th, 2006 at 11:24 am
he is the best
September 29th, 2006 at 11:28 am
As Rahul Dravid is like a wall for Indian Cricket Team same as is the thing with A.R.Rahman, his music stands like a wall in front of any music directors. his music is new and fresh. He try to add as much as it can be added for making any song.
October 6th, 2006 at 8:51 am
he’s one of the simple persons not much of show and glamour .he has his music speaking …at the same time time the credit should also go to his musicians kike sivamani,naveen many more without which rahman remains handicapped . hats off to rahman .his songs leave a mark a trail that needs to be traced again and again to get into the feel of it
October 15th, 2006 at 1:29 am
siddhun.m.karthik how dare u say ar rahman just play music from electronic instrument then how u make music by your ass. i think u must be a fan of anu malik thats why jealous of ar rahman, i am right guys.
God bless ar rahman, he is a legend in indian cinema nobody can touch his music i just cant wait to hear GURU .
November 10th, 2006 at 11:36 am
very true!!!Ar rehman is the best.U may not initially like the songs(some of them) but if u hesr them again it kind of grows in you..thats the speciality about ar rehman. anumalik’s songs tend to bore one maybe after listening to a couple of times(only some) most of them or ok sorts only nothing gr8.
Finally ar rehman is the best!!!!!!!!
April 24th, 2007 at 3:07 pm
Dear Chandu,
Overly praised Rahman ? may be you are a
die hard fan, so you don’t find the true.
A.R. Rahman is one of the bests but sure not
the best. He is geneous but surely not better
then Illayaraja and other legends of old times.
He blends Indian classical with Western music
that’s why he is the best ? no, not at all.
This is the reason he has wide range of audiences.
He does research on folk music, classical
music etc and blends them in a intelligent
way but this doesn’t make him better than
other great MDs.
He is genious in orchestration but the songs
are not that soulful(few are exceptions)
In fact, in Jatin-Lalit’s music you will find
melodious, sad tunes which you can relate
with your sentiments.
Anyway, I like A.R. Rahman very much but
his quality doesn’t have long lasting capability
September 30th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
really he is the god of music………
October 28th, 2007 at 3:15 am
i think he is unique and great composer, you cant compare him with others, i love his music, way to rehman we are there behind you
November 5th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
This is to Mr. Siddhu
You bloody rascal what the hell do u think of your self.
Can u expect a person to be in such great position after passing a trouma of losing his father at the early stage and playing guitar on the streets to take care of his family.
Its only because of his Music which directly hits the heart of many billions. Before u comment again on his music listen to his tracks from Zubeida, Lagaan, Dilse, Rangeela, Taal, Kadal Desam, Love birds, Indira…………..
Now you be out of this list or else im gonna shit on your face …………………….
December 25th, 2007 at 5:03 am
Guys,
Let me tell you guys one thing. RD Burman and ilayaraju are good music directors and they composed good melodius songs.
But here Rahman is just a best music director. he is the person who has taken our Indian name and Indian music to the world. For the above said music directors there were some limits or line of control like ilayaraju to tamil and telugu but here rahman crossed all the state boundries and also to the world people.
He is the person who is working with so many greatest people of the world like jackson.
So you critics accept that he is the best. He is the person who has created revolution of introducing new fresh music as well as new singers into the picture.
December 25th, 2007 at 5:05 am
Rahman u r the beat of music, u r the melody of music. Just do work like this and u rock rock rock the world
March 10th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Hello,
I too am a fan of both RDB & ARR. Frankly RD revolutionised Indian Music 30 yrs back much before ARR era that too when exposure & technology was limted. In those days he gave wonderfully experimented tunes like Jane Jaa Dhondta Fir raha, Dum maro Dum, Aaja Aaja. All these tunes made great singers Like Mohd Rafi, Asha & KK sweat & reherse a lot to get it right. RD was also instrumental in bringing several new instruments like Saxophone, Jazz, French horn etc. Some of this sort ARR gave in the 90’s. RD romantic tunes like Chand mera dil, Aap ki ankhon mein kuch stands no comparison with any of ARR romantic composition. Yes AR created good emotions with songs like Yeh jo des hai tera (Swades) but When it comes to creating emotions with songs like Aane wala pal, Tujse Naraz nahi Zindagi or Do naina ek kahani, RD stands matchless. RD also meant distinction when he was asked to create tunes with difficult situational bk ground like Raha pe rehte hain (Songs of Trunk driver), Ek Chatur naar( Comedy duets with North & south Indian music blend), Chingari koi bhadke (Water effect). Rim jhim gire sawan (Rain effect). Again when it comes to title trac, no one can match the title track created by RD for Sholay. Intelligently, RD very effectively summurized the essecnce and true spirit of the film Sholay in his title track which no other MD could have done. When it comes to classical composition, RD classical tracks like Mere Naina Sawan bhado or Naam gum jaye ga etc are no comparison. Compare the Gazals of ARR, Ey Gayretein Ashiki(guru) with RD gazals Huzur is kadar bhi na itra ke chaliye or Aap ki anko mein kuch and you will have the answeer. RD also was a master of bk ground track, whether it meant reflecting the terror of Gabbar singh with the wonderful experiment of blowing the flute filled with water or reflecting the agony of Thakkur Baldev singh with that chizling sound in Sholay or setting you in that happy mood with his famous Golmaal tune(Amol palekar).Over all it can be summurized that RD was a well accomplished MD, for him the quest for a perfect tune was never a burden, he could very well transform words and the feelings behind them into musical notes without a hitch. Such was the greatness of this legendary MD
December 17th, 2008 at 7:08 am
Dear kashif,
how dare of u. u must be the sweeper of A.R .Rehman. because u indirectly sweeped my intention. Listen to latest music by him of fim Yuvraj. The music is so pathetic. It becomes famous because of only shreya ghoshal. U r a.r .rahman is just a puppet.
listen to vishal and shekhar. they are the god father of u r a. r .rahman.
so first understand the rhytm of music. I am a classical trainer as well as guitar specialist. so go to home and sweep his house. and just sit idle and he will give u eggless egg.