Highlights
- A R Rahman debuts as film writer and producer with '99 Songs'
- Released worldwide, the movie, has been made in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu
- Mr Rahman has two Oscars, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award along with many Indian awards to his credit
After composing music for 160 films made by other filmmakers over 30 years, winning two Oscars, a Golden Globe and a BAFTA Award apart from scores of Indian awards, popular music director A R Rahman says he found it challenging to give music to his own film.
“It was difficult to play both the roles – that of my film’s writer and its music composer,” said Mr Rahman, as he transits to another department of filmdom. He made his debut as a film writer and producer with 99 Songs, a trilingual movie that was released on 16 April.
Originally made in Hindi, this musical romance has also been reproduced in Tamil and Telugu. It has been released worldwide, including in Australia.
“I know the journey taken by an artist. With that knowledge, I came up with the story,” said Mr Rahman.
The movie tells the story of a young man named Jay, whose life centres around his two great loves: music and his girlfriend, Sophie. It highlights how in most Indian families, a child is generally not encouraged to become an artist, but a doctor, lawyer, engineer or some other high-income professional.
Mr Rahman says the film’s story does not reflect his own, as his mother wanted him to become a musician.
A R Rahman at the song and trailer launch of '99 Songs' on February 20, 2020 in Mumbai Source: Prodip Guha/Getty Images
The change in the audience’s appetite for variety and their easy access to a choice of movies from all over the world, inspired Mr Rahman to take a new passage.
“At a flick of a button, the new generation of movie buffs can watch movies from South America, South Korea, America, Australia, Europe, Africa, or the Middle East. So, I wanted to make a bridge for this audience.
“I can’t match the established beautiful directors and actors. I can’t make a movie like they do. So, I am giving a new voice to the way this was made and have taken a new route,” he told SBS Tamil.
In the age of social media, artists are scrutinised for every action they take. Mr Rahman’s transition is seen as a distraction by some of his vocal fans.
However, this change for him has come as a natural progression. Since 1981, first as an instrumentalist and then as a composer, Mr Rahman says he has also been involved in the development of stories for many movies.
Unlike the past, nowadays Indian movie fans don’t get a taste of a movie’s entire list of songs before it is released. So, upon popular demand, Mr Rahman has released all 14 songs of 99 Songs in advance.
A R Rahman has composed music for over 160 films across several languages. Source: AAP Image/Sydney Festival
“This was done so they could see the entire journey of the characters in the movie in advance. It was a satisfying experience,” he told SBS Tamil.
With the aim of reducing the financial risk of the movie, its distributors had suggested that 99 Songs be released in multiple languages, Mr Rahman said.
“So, the movie was dubbed in Tamil and Telugu after originally being made in Hindi. The team had spent a lot of time to get the lip synchronisation right across languages. But music is a universal language, without crossing any cultural boundaries, we could bring the movie in multiple languages,” he recalled.
Mr Rahman says he has been re-inventing himself for the past 30 years and attributes this to his willingness to learn from everyone.
“Whatever one does, must be done with passion and produce the best. If not, quit. The moment you lose the inner satisfaction, you should stop. That is my philosophy,” he added.
A.R. Rahman poses in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 2010. Source: AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy
At a time when cinema-going has been marred by COVID-19, Mr Rahman says he wants the Australian audience to wear a mask, be safe and only then watch his movie.
“Don’t come with very high expectations and be disappointed. It’s a simple movie for you to sit and enjoy,” concludes Mr Rahman.
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