EXCLUSIVE: A R Rahman REVEALS why he never DUMBS down his music for mass appeal: “If I think, ‘This is what people would like’, my music will become SMALLER”; keeps fans guessing about Ramayana’s soundtrack

By Fenil Seta -

October 22, 2024 - 4:10 PM IST

Subhash Ghai, Anil Kapoor, A R Rahman, Ramesh Taurani, Kumar Taurani, Udit Narayan, Shiamak Davar and others attended the 25th anniversary special screening of Taal (1999) in Mumbai. It was held in PVR Juhu, Mumbai by Radio Nasha and was well organized by RJ Rohini, RJ Divya Solgama and their team. Before the event, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke with none other than the Academy Award winner, A R Rahman, about his process and a lot more.

EXCLUSIVE: A R Rahman REVEALS why he never DUMBS down his music for mass appeal: “If I think, ‘This is what people would like’, my music will become SMALLER”; keeps fans guessing about Ramayana’s soundtrack

Subhash Ghai said in an interview “I told him (Rahman) that ‘my title is Taal and you are the hero’ and he was very happy.” Do you recall this episode?
(Laughs) Yes, I do but I don’t take these things seriously. However, he had worked with the previous generation of music directors. The way I presented the tune was very different. I work alone. I don’t carry a tabla or rhythm guitar. I played the tunes, hoping that he would like it and that there wouldn’t be any problem. After all, Taal was happening at the prime of his career. But he was very kind and hosted us beautifully when we made the music.

Tell us about your collaboration with Subhash Ghai. Also, what many are not aware of is that you and Subhash Ghai had earlier planned to collaborate on a film called Shikhar, which was never made. The song, ‘Ishq Bina’, which was used in Taal, was originally meant for Shikhar…
His musical sensibilities are in place. All his songs have been super hit in his previous films. Hence, I knew that he wouldn’t make any mistake (laughs). And it’ll be good for me as I’ll know how he viewed my songs through his lens. At the same time, I didn’t want to lose my personality. So, there were a couple of songs, which we scrapped. He guided the song first and then he didn’t end up liking the final product. Then he asked me to compose the songs my way.

What’s also fascinating is that he gave the word ‘Jai Ho’ to you and the song was planned to be used in his film, Yuvvraaj (2008)…
Yes. The word ‘Jai Ho’ was given by him. That was also the time I was working on Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and it fit well into that film. It didn’t suit Yuvvraaj.

I remember how the audience was left surprised when they learned that the word ‘Priyasi’ in the song ‘Nahin Saamne’ from Taal was sung by Sukhwinder Singh. No one could guess it was his voice. Was that intentional?
No, he was around when we were recording the song. Subhash ji needed a Punjabi friend (laughs). Hence, he was hanging around in the studio. When we needed someone to croon ‘Priyasi’, Sukhwinder’s voice matched. He recorded it as a rough track, but we left it as it is.

Did you ever fear whether your songs of Taal would work with the masses?
That’s not my job. That’s why I select directors who know what they are doing. Hence, I can be wild, and they can pick what is right from their film. If I start thinking, ‘This is what people would like’, my music will become smaller. That’s not how I should be. Also, people don’t know what they need. They want something but when you give them the right thing, they’ll accept it. The need comes from your musical perspective and imagination. When people listen to kirtan, bandish or thumri, then you know that they are in for such kind of music. Why do we limit ourselves when it comes to film music? Why do we dumb down our songs? I find ways to insert classical music and my sensibilities as much as possible. In a way, it also becomes a learning experience for me.

You are also working on one of the most awaited films of our times, Ramayana. What can we expect from this film’s music?
I can’t speak yet. Once it’s announced, I’ll tell you (smiles).

Also Read: 25 Years of Taal premiere: Subhash Ghai sold its music at DOUBLE the price of Pardes’ music; Subhash Ghai reveals “A R Rahman was paid MINIMUM fees”; Anil Kapoor raised laughs: “I feared kahin monologue Akshaye Khanna ko na…”