The interview which appears below, was originally published on The Asian Age in December 2000. ©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.
Hollywood producers and directors are interested in striking a deal with A.R. Rahman. Everyone is trying to get his albums and listen to his compositions. Starting from Michael Jackson to Hollywood superstars like Richard Gere, Don Black, Steven Segal have shown interest in meeting him and talking to him about Indian music. And Andrew Lloyd Webber, the famous music composer who hails from New York, has booked Rahman for his next international musical called Bombay Dreams.
“Webber listened to some Bollywood songs and liked my music. In fact, after some time he could spot my songs and wanted to make a musical based on Bollywood. When out of the blue I got a call from Andrew Webber, I was shocked and couldn’t believe my ears. He is a legend. I love his Phantom of the Opera and Evita productions. When he asked me to work with him on his next project I was floored. Only after going to New York and actually signing the contract, I realized that this was not a dream after all” says Rahman.
About Bombay Dreams, he says, Every south Asian dream of becoming a Bollywood star. Bollywood is big and internationally recognized. Even Pakistanis and Bangladeshis want to be in Bollywood. This is the theme of the musical and for the first time, an Indian theme is being used in an international musical. This musical will have dialogues and songs in English. Webber initially suggested that we reuse most of my film tunes in this musical. I refused and said that we needed something new for this.
I told him that I will compose everything new for this musical. Bombay Dreams is not a product just for the US, UK or Indian audience. It is going to be released as an international album, a Broadway musical, and as an international video. The album is being worked on in London.
Refuting allegations that he is planning to move to London for good, Rahman says, There are lots of rumors flying around about my shifting my base to London. It’s utter nonsense. I will be traveling to the UK but I love Chennai and intend to live there.
Film director Mani Ratnam recognized Rahman’s talent and gave him his first big break. Both are experimental in their work and admire each other’s ability to deviate from the traditional style.
Mani is an experimental type and does not push anyone. On the other hand, directors like Shyam Benegal stick to a specific format. I composed music for Zubeida. It’s a period film and Benegal had his own dos and donts. He wants a lot of melody and classical music in his movie. Indian film directors like Shekhar Kapoor have proved their mettle in the West. Rahman believes it is time Indian music too finds its rightful place in the world music scene.
Indian film music has not yet reached a western audience. No one has tried to take it to them. I have had the wish to compose international projects right from my first film Roja. I use Reggae, African beats, and futuristic music in my compositions, he adds. Though he comes from a family of musicians, Rahman wanted to become a scientist.
It was my mother who forced me to take up music seriously. I am grateful to her for all that I have achieved. Even today I get great support from my mother, wife, and children.
At 14, he started a rock band. He has come a long way since. To young aspiring musicians, Rahman advises, it is very important to know traditional music. If we don’t understand our roots we lose a lot in every sphere. There is no end to learning. I am still learning. I am doing musicals which is a very new experience for me.
From Roja to Rangeela and now Bombay Dreams, A.R. Rahman has stirred the Indian music scene time and again but he has not lost his simplicity or humility. Truly, the mark of a genius.
