A. R. Rahman Interview | Roja to Ramayana | International Success | Oscars | AI |

Legendary musician A. R. Rahman speaks exclusively to Haroon Rashid at the Birmingham Symphony Hall (a B:Music venue) about his 30+ year career producing music for some of India’s most iconic films. From Roja and Bombay to Jodhaa Akbar and Rockstar, he reveals the process behind creating his unique sound and how he's tried to go against the musical norms.

He also delves into his international successes with the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, working with Andrew Lloyd Webber and more recently, with Hans Zimmer on the highly anticipated Ramayana. ARR opens up about working in Hollywood, and gives his thoughts on recent international collaborations between artists like Ed Sheeran and Karan Aujla.

He shares his favourite tracks with some of India's most revered artists from Lata Mangeshkar to Arijit Singh, and Haroon asks him to play some live on the piano.

This is not one to miss.

00:00:00 Intro
00:02:27 Dressing like a star
00:03:28 Chhoti Si Aasha piano piece
00:03:55 The making of Roja and it's influence in Animal's Soundtrack
00:08:45 Working with Mani Ratnam and challenging musical norms
00:10:30 Bombay Theme piano piece
00:11:20 Adjusting to the Hindi film industry in the 90’s
00:16:23 Bombay and Rangeela: Experimenting with different styles
00:19:09 His father’s musical influences growing up
00:21:02 The making of Jiya Jale (Dil Se) and respecting regional languages
00:23:11 Working with Lata Mangeshkar
00:25:33 ‘No other composer… has crossed the border (to the Hindi film industry) and survived there’.
00:26:19 Saathiya piano piece
00:27:03 Being Tamil and facing prejudice in the industry
00:28:39 Identifying his influence in music today: Pardesiya (Param Sundari)
00:30:20 Audiences consuming shorter songs now?
00:35:10 The making of Kun Faya Kun and working with Ranbir and Imtiaz
00:37:03 Learnings from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and working with Atif Aslam
00:38:28 The making of Khwaja Mere Khwaja
00:41:10 Making art in a divisive landscape, working on Chhaava
00:44:32 The Ramayana and working with Hans Zimmer
00:48:03 Maa Tujhe Salaam, performing with Coldplay
00:49:40 Meeting Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
00:50:52 Being accepted by international audiences
00:54:24 Thoughts on collaborations between global artists: Jai Ho, Ed Sheeran, Diljit Dosanjh
01:00:28 Slumdog Millionaire: His best work?
01:05:30 Giving artists the right song
01:06:59 Rockstar and Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Introducing new talent
01:08:59 A Sufi way of life and embracing newness
01:13:32 AI in music
01:15:25 Best collaborations: Alka Yagnik
01:15:40 Agar Tum Saath Ho piano piece
01:16:00 Best collaborations: Sukhwinder Singh
01:16:27 Best collaborations: Kavita Krishnamurthy
01:17:38 Best collaborations: Javed Ali
01:18:18 Best collaborations: Asha Bhosle
01:19:49 Creating Swades in a hotel room
01:20:34 Best collaborations: Sonu Nigam
01:20:56 Using his foundation to give kids an opportunity in music
01:23:22 Best collaborations: Shreya Ghoshal
01:25:23 Best collaborations: Arijit Singh
01:26:00 Hum Hai Iss Pal Yahan piano piece


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