The interview titled "Rahman - The Real Hero," which appears below, was originally published on the MTV India website in August 2001. ©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.
A. R. Rahman does not need any introduction. His name itself is enough to send cash registers ringing at the box office. It’s now nearly a decade since Rahman stepped in as a music director for his debut film Roja. Since then he has Chaiyya Chaiyya his way into the heart of the entertainment industry and churned as many super hit songs as Tendulkar has scored centuries.
The otherwise elusive and inaccessible Rahman who was in Mumbai recently for the release of Nayak took time off from his hectic schedule to speak to Jyothi Venkatesh. Here he talks about his career as a music director, why he’s scared of Lata Mangeshkar, him being a beggar, and his new single “Ekam Satyam” with none other than the King of Pop Michael Jackson!
Is it true that you have worked with Michael Jackson on a single titled “Ekam Satyam”?
Yes, I have worked with Michael Jackson on a single titled “Ekam Satyam”, the track composed by me is part English and part Sanskrit. I have rendered the Sanskrit portions written by A.R Parthasarathy while Michael Jackson has rendered the English lyrics written by Kanika Myer Bharat. The single will be released sometime during the end of this year though I am given to understand that Jackson is considering including it in his forthcoming album Invincible.
How did the song happen in the first place?
Initially, it was penned especially for the MJ and Friends Concert that was held in Munich in June 1999. However since it became immensely popular among Jackson fans in the West, it was decided to release the song as a duet sung by Jackson and myself.
Did you expect the music scored by you for Lagaan to click in such a big way?
The music of Lagaan was a real surprise for me. I would not hesitate to say that Lagaan is a path-breaking movie, which does not stick to the regular genre of filmmaking. I’d give the whole credit for the success of the music to Aamir Khan who was simply fabulous as a producer. He knew exactly what he wanted and had the conviction to see it through.
For my part, I kept in mind the script when composing the music.
Would you admit that your music was starting to sound a little monotonous?
To some extent, I plead guilty to that charge. My first film Roja was very futuristic after which it became a little repetitive and monotonous because most of the films had numbers which were dance-oriented.
However, in the past three years, I have been working on period music and I saw the perfect opportunity to implement this with Lagaan. You see it is difficult to set your mind to the Chennai audience and Mumbai audience. I do confess that I was struggling to come out of the rut in which I started finding myself. But with Lagaan, I think I have managed to make a breakthrough.
Why do you insist on working only in your studio in Chennai?
Chennai is my home. It is much more peaceful to work on one project in Chennai than take up ten projects in Mumbai and not concentrate on them. A creative person should crave for more and never be satisfied. If he is satisfied then it will mean the end for him.
Do you insist on singing in every film for which you compose the music?
I sang for the first time in my career in Roja. I had actually sung as a dummy voice. However the first time I sang as a playback singer was for the film Bombay.
Is it true that you had a complex about singing?
Yes. That’s only because I think singing requires a totally different energy. I am more interested in composing for films than singing. I used to have a complex about my voice and never dared to sing for any film of mine till I happened to hear the Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. I felt that if he could create wonders with his voice, I could also definitely try my hand at singing at least once in a way. Singing actually needs a lot of practice on your part. It is not easy.
Do you prefer to compose when you get the lyrics or do you ask your lyricists to write according to the tune you have?
Most of the time I have a tune ready with me when I set out to compose for a film. Sometimes I tell the director about a particular idea of mine. Sometimes they too come up with fresh and innovative ideas.
Don’t you feel it is risky as a music director to give breaks to new singers?
To tell you the truth, I respect all the senior singers whether here in Mumbai or in Chennai, but at the same time, I also feel that they are actually blocking all the new singers as far as opportunities are concerned. I have met with success 90% of the time when I’ve dared to introduce a new voice to the industry.
Apart from Dil Se, you haven’t recorded too many songs with Lata Mangeshkar. How come?
Believe it or not, Lata Mangeshkar is so senior an artiste that I am actually very scared to go near her as a composer and ask her to sing.
The songs, which you have composed for Nayak – The Real Hero, seem to be rehashes of your earlier compositions. Why?
Out of the five songs that I have composed for Nayak, three of them are based on my own songs from the Tamil original called Mudhalvan. Shankar who is directing Nayak (he also directed Mudhalvan) felt that since the original score had become a rage down South, we ought to use the same tunes when we made the film in Hindi.
Why did you take a long vacation from India some time back?
I went to London and was working with Andrew Lloyd Webber on an international music track and hence I could not spare time for local assignments. Now that I am through with that track, I am once again all set to compose for more Indian films.
What films will you be working on in the near future?
Among the films for which I am composing music right now are Tanveer Ahmed’s Ada, Khalid Mohammad’s new film and Bharat Bala’s Taj Mahal starring Aishwarya Rai. I will also be composing for Shyam Benegal’s next film besides the films to be directed by Atul Agnihotri and Rakesh Mehra. Other than that I will also be composing for a film called The Thief of Baghdad.
They say that you were responsible for delaying the release of some films. How far are these reports true?
Right from day one, the director of Kabhi Na Kabhi – Priyadarshan had a difference of opinion with scriptwriter Javed Akhtar and hence the film was delayed. If at all I have been accused then it only means that I am being used as a scapegoat.
How do you feel being known as a trendsetter with your songs from Taal etc?
Taal set a trend not because of me but only because of Bakshisaab and Ghaisaab. I am no trendsetter. I am just a beggar to God up above. I am just a normal person.
Do you think music can affect society?
Why not? A song like “Choli Ke Peechay” in Khalnayak affected everybody. A popular song can definitely affect society.
What are your forthcoming releases?
Ashoka, which is being directed by Santosh Sivan and produced by Shahrukh Khan will be released soon. You will get to hear different music from me in Ashoka. In some of my other forthcoming movies, I am even contemplating upon composing Ghazals.
What is your motto in life?
Search is more important than destination.
Tell us a little bit about the music in Nayak?
My music will definitely complement the film. Five songs have been picturized on the hero and the heroine while one of them will be a background score.
To what extent do you believe in God?
To a large extent. I am of the opinion that you do not gain anything by putting pressure on yourself. God will take all the pressures off your mind according to his will. And it will happen as and when he wants it to happen.
