The interview which appears below, was originally published on Star Box Office in February 2009. ©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.
Singer Javed Ali, who recently collaborated with the musical genius on Ghajini’s super hit romantic track “Guzarish,” tells us about working with A.R. Rahman and wishes him all the best for the Oscars.
“Brij Bhushan recommended my name to Rahman Saab saying that I was a new boy and he should try me for one of his songs. Rahman Saab is very fond of using new singers. Suddenly, one day I got a phone call from his Chennai studio asking me to be there the next day.
I was pleasantly surprised as everything happened so fast. I am very thankful to Brij ji that he recommended my name and I hope I lived up to his expectations,” recalls Javed fondly.
So what makes Rahman Saab different from other music directors?
“Working with Rahman Saab is amazing. He makes you feel very comfortable and at ease. It doesn’t feel like you are working with him for the first time even if you are, and he doesn’t intimidate you in spite of being such a big music director as he is very humble.
He dubs your voice on a basic track and then inserts that recording into the final song, so when the song is out, it sounds very different from what was recorded. That is the main difference between him and other directors.
That is why every singer sounds different when he sings a song composed by Rahman Sir. He usually works at night. I have never prepared and gone to sing for Rahman Saab. We decide the style of singing on the spot and record it there and then. He tries to use your ideas and inputs,” replies Ali.
“I have many favourite songs from the ones that Rahman Saab has composed. I love ‘Tu Hi Re’ from Bombay, the songs of Lagaan, ‘Yeh Taara’ and the title track of Swades, ‘Jashn-e-Bahara’ from Jodhaa Akbar and there are many more. I love ‘Jai Ho’ from Slumdog Millionaire too,” says Javed.
“I pray to God that Rahman Saab wins the Oscar and brings it home, increasing the fame and respect for India and her cinema. I would like to wish the entire team all the very best,” signs off Javed Ali.
