The interview which appears below, was originally aired on Rahmania - Aaha FM in December 2007. Interview excerpt is written by V.R. Vithur from the A.R. Rahman Yahoo Fans Group. ©The rights to this material are reserved to the owner. If you have any concerns or comments, please send an email to info@rahmaniac.com.
Kathir is always eager to try something new. He often introduces new actresses and heroes in his movies. His first movie, “Idhayam,” featured the debut of actress Heera (the heroine of “Thiruda Thiruda”) and also introduced Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram. He knew A.R. Rahman from the latter’s “Roja” fame and was waiting for the right opportunity to collaborate with our Guru.
After “Idhayam,” he was in search of a new music director for his new film “Kadhal Desam.” During his very first meeting with A.R. Rahman, he became fond of him. Rahman was playing the guitar for the songs “Chinna Chinna Aasai” & “Kadhal Rojave” (from “Roja”). Kadhir was so impressed by these songs that he decided he desperately wanted Rahman for his movies. At that time, Rahman’s salary demands were very low, and Kadhir wanted to book him for his movies by paying him an advance of Rs. 10,000. So, he borrowed this money from a friend. The first story discussed was “Kadhal Desam,” though “Uzhavan” was released first.
All of Kadhir’s stories stem from real happenings, which usually occur in every layman’s life. Ordinary life events spark his creativity toward making films.
How “Uzhavan” happened?
Kadhir was working as an Assistant Director with Sivaji Films. At that time, Ramkumar (Prabhu’s elder brother; Sivaji’s elder son) approached him with a new story. He also wanted the songs to be fresh. And so, “Uzhavan” happened, featuring completely new songs and fantastic background music (BGM). Kadhir liked the BGM more than the songs and was excited, praising it. It was something special for him.
Getting A.R. Rahman’s dates was very difficult, as every director wanted to book Rahman for their films. Kadhir and Rahman became friends, and Rahman would ask Kadhir for poems every time they met.
Kadhir always asked Rahman for new tunes but was cautious not to suggest that he wanted tunes like those in “Roja,” as Rahman never liked focusing on a particular tune that had already been composed while composing a new one. They had visited the Dargah and dined together many times. However, Kadhir always knew his limits and never wanted to overstep in terms of their friendship.
Rahman was fond of Kadhir, which Kadhir attributes to God’s gift. More than being professional, Rahman was always friendly. Kadhir felt inspired by seeing Rahman, thus viewing him as a role model.
The same simplicity continues with Rahman, as what he was back then. Rahman never boasts about his own laurels, awards, and never sleeps without achieving the right sound.
As far as BGMs are concerned, Kadhir just screens the movie for Rahman, and Rahman comes up with his scores, which are always liked by the director. The BGMs effortlessly flow from Rahman. Rahman not only uses the Pallavi of the songs but also the Charanam of the songs for his BGMs. The correct blend is achieved in his BGMs, with that much perfection.
Kadhir has always felt deeply about college farewells, as he himself has shed tears when he got separated from his college mates. He wanted to capture the same feeling in “Kadhal Desam,” and thus the famous “Musthafa Musthafa” song was born, which pleased Kadhir immensely.
Rahman and Kadhir discussed a lot of lyrics. Rahman liked the lyrics “Oru Poiyavadhu Sol Kanne” (The song from “Jodi”). This lyric was initially written for “Kadhal Desam” but then was used in “Jodi.” Rahman liked the lyric because it conveyed the message “at least tell a lie, that you love me.” Kadhir had high respect for the lyricist Vaali, right from the M.G.R. era. Vaali would inquire if all six songs would be given to him in “Kadhalar Dhinam,” and all six songs were a great hit. The entire story was written in the form of the songs. Rahman has always been very happy with Vaali.
Rahman, Director Kadhir, and Lyricist Vaali made a great team at that time, and this continued for “Kadhal Virus” as well.
How the Dandiya song in “Kadhalar Dhinam” became a super hit
Kadhir shared a genuine feeling with Rahman and wanted a tune that would reflect the feelings of a poor boy who goes to a metropolitan city like Mumbai to pursue an MBA and is interested in seeing a Dandiya dance. The feeling was superbly composed in that song. When Rahman used to sing the Charanam of that song, he would lose track of time. Many youths would call Kadhir and discuss the lyrics of the “Nenaichapadi” song and the Dandiya Song from “Kadhalar Dhinam.”
Kadhir has never learned music formally. But he says that it’s more important to feel music rather than just learn it. Music should be derived out of inspiration.
List of Favorite Songs of Kadhir:
- SPB Song in “Kadhal Virus” – “Enthan Vaani Aadum”;
- Dhandiya Song – “Kadhalar Dhinam”
- “Ennai Kaanavillaye” – “Kadhal Desam”
- “Uzhavan” – “Kangalil Enna Eeramo”
Kadhir had a very inspirational relationship with his parents. They loved him very much and were his motivation and inspiration.
How do you picturize Rahman songs?
It’s a big challenge picturizing songs. People get attracted only if the songs are picturized well, and the expectations of picturization are very high for Rahman’s songs.
For example, the song “Hello Doctor” in “Kadhal Desam” was difficult to shoot. 40 people were tied to strings and happened to be in a state of coma in the song. The Dandiya song from “Kadhalar Dhinam” was very difficult to shoot. The song “Musthafa Musthafa” was picturized over 2 and a half days.
The song “Ennai Villai Azhage” in “Kadhalar Dhinam” was shot in Australia, as the producer wanted at least one song to be shot abroad. Rahman liked the picturization of the song. During those times, all lovers used to buy the CDs of “Kadhalar Dhinam.”
Kadhir says that every director should have the following to make their film a big hit:
i) A good producer
ii) A good music director
iii) A good lyric writer
iv) A good cinematographer
“I have been blessed by A.R. Rahman in my films. It was a great blessing for my lifetime.”
Why didn’t Kadhir change his style of directing films?
I tried changing my style in “Kadhal Virus” and “Uzhavan,” but people didn’t accept it. “Kadhalar Dhinam” and “Kadhal Desam” were liked by all. Rahman liked the film “Uzhavan” and called him from South Africa to congratulate him.
In Tamil cinema, every director carries a stamp and style, and it becomes very difficult for him to cross that style and try a new version. Kadhir is working with scripts that would cover wide areas now.
How did you become a director?
I used to draw pictures of gods, goddesses, and actors in my home. My father used to feel that I could become an artist and made me join Arts College. I started my career as a designer and has been associated with directors like Bhagyaraj for “Darling Darling,” Balu Mahendra, Mani Ratnam (film “Pagal Nilavu”). “Filmmaking is nothing but real life.”
List of Rahman songs that Kadhir liked but not from his film:
“Ennavalle” – “Kadhalan”
“Ella Pughazum” – “Azhagiya Tamil Magan”
Kadhir and Shankar used to feel jealous about songs like “Ennavalle” not happening in “Kadhalar Dhinam,” and “Musthafa” not happening in Shankar’s film.
Unforgettable incident with A.R. Rahman
The majority of Kadhir’s life has been spent in the company of A.R. Rahman. He used to come and sleep in front of Rahman’s studios, waiting for a chance to meet Rahman and get his time. Once, when Rahman was in Canada recording a song for Deepa Mehta’s film, Kadhir wanted a song before the Puja of his film “Kadhalar Dhinam.”
He called up Noel James (Rahman’s manager), confirmed the hotel where Rahman was staying, and reached out. In Canada, he was unable to reach Rahman as he didn’t spell Rahman’s name properly (it was an automated system in the hotel, and they couldn’t connect to Rahman because he was not getting the letters of Rahman’s name right).
A full day went by as he tried to contact Rahman through the phone, and ultimately, he called up Noel (who was in India) to get the right spelling, and finally caught up with Rahman with the right spelling, leading to the creation of the song “Roja Roja” for “Kadhalar Dhinam.”
