Two of the biggest stalwarts of Indian cinema-Kamal Haasan and AR Rahman- got together for an Instagram live session where they spoke about each other’s interest in music, Shankar’s film Indian and how art helped them find their passion and true calling. Haasan, who is well-known to think and make films ‘ahead of time’, said that he failed to live up to the reputation as he discovered Rahman’s genius much later, after he was celebrated by everyone.
Haasan said, “Everybody says that I pick talents even before they become famous. However, I found AR Rahman only after he became famous. This is because I was blanketed by Ilaiyaraaja's music." However, Rahman did not take offense and replied humourously and said, “I’m very proud of that. In fact, music makes you loyal.” Talking about Rahman’s music, Haasan said, “It’s an uphill task for a talented person to live in a society that doesn’t even give a kind look. He broke through that glass door and the credit goes to Balachander and Mani Ratnam.” He also said that he was constantly surprised by Rahman when he started “paying attention” and that he reinvented himself and his music at every juncture. He said, “I sensed a pattern when he worked with Mani Ratnam. But he broke that. In fact, I wasn’t impressed by Kappaleri Poyachu (Indian) initially and even told Shankar, but the finished song wasn’t the same as before.”
Hassan lavished praise on Rahman and said that the latter makes work look easy. He said, “Working with Rahman as a director made me happy. The kind of atmosphere he creates for a director is comfortable. His music is magic and there won't be any repetitiveness in it. After all these years, his songs are still magic. We think there might be a flute interlude in the song and he surprises you with something else.”
He also revealed that Rahman and he have worked on a new song and said, “A few years ago, we worked on a new song. I would call it AR Rahman's best work. It's a song that is important. I would have been jealous if this song had gone to any other actor. One day, we were discussing work and zeroed in on a word. Rahman asked me to write the lyrics for the song. I remember coming home past midnight and finished the song by 8.30 am. The same evening, we had completed the song. We are looking forward to releasing it soon and are totally excited by it." Haasan and Rahman will be reuniting for Thalaivan Irukkindran after 19 years. The film is a sequel to the actor's hit film, Thevar Magan.
(Source: Open Pannaa)
