'Mani Ratnam has been quite an important person in my career' : Rahman
 

                   A man of few words, A R Rahman has always preferred his music to do the
                   talking. And how! From being touted as the most exciting
                   composer in India, he is now on the verge of receiving
                   international acclaim, with no less than Sir Andrew Lloyd
                   Webber rooting for him.
 

                   Excerpts from the conversation

                   1.You have always come up with exceptional scores for Mani Rathnam. Do you personally
                   think that you've given your best for him?

                   Rahman : See, the main thing is the concept that the director has. He (Mani Rathnam)
                   has always given me things which I have not done before. He has been quite an
                   important person in my career, and he always wants me to excel, whether they are for
                   his films or others' films. When challenging things are given to you, then you devote all
                   your energy to it. He never tells you that 'I want a song like this or that,' but he always
                   has a fresh idea. That's the reason why different scores come up for his films.

                   2.Listen Andrew Lloyd Webber thinks that Chaiyya chaiyya is a great number, one of the
                   greatest songs he has ever heard. What do you think about it?

                   Rahman : He said it's one of the greatest numbers, yes. I think it's a very commercial
                   song. He (Webber) finds the whole genre of music -- the production, picturisation of the
                   song in Dil Se -- very interesting. Hopefully, we'll do more exciting stuff now.

                   3.When we talk about film music, we talk chiefly about how the masses appreciate it.
                   Now, do you think your music will be more critically examined, simply because it will be
                   heard by a different strata of society?

                   Rahman :See, I always live with a song, sometimes for a week, sometimes for six months,
                   to try and fix whatever is wrong with it. Because, if I don't like something, people will not
                   like it either. I've gone by that rule and so far, it's been working. God was kind. That's
                   how I'm going to do this (Bombay Dreams) also. I'm not going to try something I don't
                   know about. I assume they will like it.

                   4.Is there going to be something elitist about a musical?

                   Rahman :The only difference is that it's going to be in English. I'm
                   yet to know(laughs) -- about any other differences, because this is
                   a completely new direction for me. But on the whole, I think --
                   hopefully, God-willing -- it will be successful.

                   5.Are you looking at Hollywood as well?

                   Rahman :Not now. I don't have the energy to do too many things
                   at the same time. I'll probably finish this first...

                   6.But you are taking a sabbatical from Hindi and regional films, aren't you?

                   Rahman :I've done my homework on the films which are yet to be released. So there's not
                   going to be a vacuum. It's not like you are not going to hear A R Rahman's music for one
                   year. I've almost completed Lagaan, Zubeida, Kandu Konden..., Alai Payuthey, Rhythm. All
                   these films will be coming now, filling up the gap.

                   7.And you are not accepting any other offers right now?

                   Rahman :Not yet. I'm just holding them, so that I get some space.

                   8.Taal was a very big hit. How come you aren't working with Subhash Ghai again for his
                   new film, Yaadein?

                   Rahman :I was supposed to, but then this project came up. So I told him about it and we
                   agreed that we'll find time in future and work together.

                   9.There's this allegation that you are a composer who has mastered the gadgets -- how
                   do you react to this?

                   Rahman :I think it's just an extra attribute or whatever (laughs). But it's not the
                   only thing. Because without tunes, without happening tunes, it will not work. Only if you
                   have a happening tune, then everything else can support it. Knowing the computer
                   actually helps to perfect things. If somebody has gone off-key but delivered a good line
                   with the right feel, you don't have to sacrifice the take. You can just cut it at the pitch
                   and use it. These are what I have learnt to make things easier, to get the best out of an
                   artiste.

                   10.Some people have accused you of being repetitive...

                   Rahman :I don't think they will say that now, because I have been into too many wild
                   things. Hopefully, they won't say it again in future.

                   11.But was there a phase when you felt you were being repetitive?

                   Rahman :Well, yes. Following the success of Kadalan (or Hum Se Muqabla in Hindi), a kind
                   of dance culture developed. Suddenly, there were proposals with Prabhu Deva and me
                   together, because that helped sell the films. I was forced to do only dance music. But
                   then I got out of it and accepted films which demanded melody. You know sometimes,
                   you kind of get into it... without realising.

                   12.Do you have some idea about the kind of music you will be doing for Bombay Dreams?

                   Rahman :Yes, we do have some scratches ready. If I tell you more about it, then there
                   won't be any surprise left. But it is going to be Indian. It should be exciting, that's all I
                   can say now.

                   13. Will there be Indian singers involved in the production?

                   Rahman :There will be Asian singers, since part of the cast will be Asian.

                   14.A lot has been said about Chaiyya chaiyya. People attribute the song to you, but it
                   has been inspired by something else... what made you choose this song?

                   Rahman :Yeah, it's a Sufi song. Any great love song, when attributed to a divine source,
                   gets an extra dimension. People say any love which is immortal is divine love. Chaiyya
                   chaiyya is something like that. The inspiration, therefore, is a divine one