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Indian Express
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Madhushree recalls collaborating with AR Rahman, Javed Akhtar for Kisna: ‘Your romance is with your art, your voice'
Composer AR Rahman has often talked about having weird working schedules and how he doesn't even feel the need for extra friends, as he is content with his work. Singer Madhushree, who has collaborated with Rahman on films like Kisna (2005) and Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (2022), echoed these sentiments in a recent interview, sharing her own experience working with the musical maestro. In an interview with O2 India, Madhushree talked about the time when she recorded the song 'Hum Mile Na Mile' from the film Kisna and how she had to jump through several hoops to get it done. She shared, 'I was in my house in Andheri and got a call from Rahman's assistant who told me that I needed to get to the Taj hotel as soon as possible. I told her that it will take me at least 2-3 hours before I can get there, but she insisted that I get there right now. So I got into the local train, took a cab after that, and reached the hotel within an hour to work with him.' ALSO READ | AR Rahman reveals real reason behind his recent hospitalisation; calls it a 'humanising' experience: 'Realised that people wanted me to live' The singer added that her beautiful experience of working on that song did not end there, as she had quite an experience while finally recording the final cut of that song with Subhash Ghai and Javed Akhtar in the studio. 'I went to the studio, and I read the lyrics, and I usually always ask what the song means before singing. Javed sir asked me, 'Madhushree, what do you love the most?' I said, 'My music.' He said, 'I know it is a romantic song, but your romance is with your art, your voice. Sing this, keeping that in mind.' And that note really stuck with me.' Madhushree added that initially Hariharan was supposed to sing the song with her, but he was unavailable, and Udit Narayan stepped in. The singer admitted that she wanted to do another take of the song and kept pleading her case for the coming days until she got a call back during the most unusual time. 'I normally don't fast, but I had decided to keep one for Navratra that year. On the last day of the fast, Rahman told me that he was doing the final mixing for the song and I could come in and re-take the part I wanted to. Even though I felt weak and not up to the mark, I went, and the moment I started singing, I forgot all about my hunger and fast.' Kisna was directed by Subhash Ghai, and starred Vivek Oberoi, Isha Sharwani and Antonia Bernath in the lead roles. AR Rahman and Ismail Darbar both worked on the music for the film.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Imtiaz Ali reveals ‘Patakha Guddi' was shot before recording the track; AR Rahman instructed the Nooran Sisters via video call
The song ' Patakha Guddi ' from the and Randeep Hooda starrer 'Highway' still holds a special place in audiences' hearts. Sung by the Nooran Sisters and composed by music maestro AR Rahman , the track has an unknown backstory that was recently shared by the film's director, . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Imtiaz about shooting 'Patakha Guddi' In an interview with O2 India, Imtiaz revealed that the song was filmed even before the track was recorded, calling it a unique experience. 'We shot this song to a Gurmeet Bawa song, which is Jugni. She is no more, but she was a Padma Bhushan recipient in Punjab. We had her song and shot the entire sequence based on that, playing it on the recorder.' Trailer launch of Amar Singh Chamkila He further shared that AR Rahman later conceptualised the final version after understanding the visual tone of the film. 'It is one of the most brilliant songs that Irshad has written for any of my films. The concept of female energy in the Punjabi context came through in this song. It suited Highway very much,' he added. AR Rahman's involvement Rahman was overseas when the vocals were finally recorded in his Mumbai studio. Imtiaz explained how the session unfolded in his absence: 'I was in the recording session with the engineer in Rahman sir's Bombay studio when the Nooran Sisters came in for the first time to sing. They had been singing through the day and continued through the night. They entered the booth—both girls singing into the same mic—while Rahman sir joined us over video, giving instructions on mic technique and vocal delivery,' he revealed. Imtiaz also shared that the Nooran Sisters were high on energy in the recording studio and even pointed towards him while singing the 'Ali Ali' line to make the moment feel more alive. 'The Nooran Sisters have a God-sent energy, which came into the song. Rahman knew this was going to happen, and it turned out beautifully,' he concluded.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Shot Patakha Guddi before it was recorded': Imtiaz Ali on Highway's famous track, reveals Nooran sisters sang ‘day and night' with AR Rahman on video call
Highway's song 'Patakha Guddi' is popular for its catchy tunes and lyrics. Sung by the Nooran Sisters and composed by AR Rahman, the track's video features lead actors Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda. In a recent interview, the film's director Imtiaz Ali opened up about the making of the famous song. He revealed that 'Patakha Guddi' was shot even before recording and how Jyoti Nooran was singing it while pointing towards the filmmaker, because of his last name being 'Ali'. During a conversation with O2 India, Imtiaz shared, 'We had shot Patakha Guddi before it was even recorded, that's a very unique thing about this song. We shot this song on a Gurmeet Bawa song, which is Jugni. She is no more but is a Padma Bhushan recipient in Punjab. We had her song and we shot the whole song based on that, playing it on the recorder.' He added, 'Later on, Rahman sir had an idea of what kind of song to make for this. He made it and we retrograded it. It is one of the most brilliant songs that Irshad has written for any of my films. The concept of female energy in the Punjabi context came through in this song. It suited Highway very much.' ALSO READ | 'Ranbir Kapoor-Alia Bhatt's romance began during Highway, maybe': 'Hurt' Randeep Hooda recalls how Ranbir was parachuted into Imtiaz Ali's film promos AR Rahman wasn't in the country when they recorded the track in his studio. 'Incidentally, when we actually got to record this song, Rahman sir was abroad. I was in the recording with the engineer in Rahman sir's Bombay studio, that when Nooran sisters came in for the first time to sing. They sang through the night, they had been singing through the day. They came into the booth, the two girls were singing from the same mic, Rahman sir was on video trying to instruct about how the mic or singing should be,' he said. The director continued that while recording the song overnight, the sisters were having fun in a way dedicating the song to him. 'I was on the console with the engineer trying to record this song. In the middle of the night, they were actually singing to me – because my name is Ali and the song says Ali… Ali… Ali. Jyoti was also kind of pointing towards me and singing, having a lot of fun. The Nooran sisters have a God sent energy, which came into the song. Rahman knew this was going to happen and it came out beautifully,' Imtiaz concluded. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, Highway hit the theatres in 2014. Starring Randeep Hooda and Alia Bhatt in lead roles, the film was based on a woman Veera Tripathi who discovers freedom after being kidnapped by Mahabir Bhati.
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Imtiaz Ali recalls AR Rahman's reaction when girls in Kashmir mistook him for electrician during Rockstar shoot
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and music maestro AR Rahman created magic with the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar, delivering iconic tracks like Kun Faya Kun and Phir Se Ud Chala. In a recent interview with O2India, Imtiaz shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes from their collaboration — including the time Rahman "ghosted" him. He also recounted a surprising moment during the recording of a song when the chorus singers refused to believe they were actually working with AR Rahman himself. (Also Read: 'Nice to blame me for everything': AR Rahman reacts to Abhijeet Bhattacharya slamming him for overusing technology) Imtiaz Ali had approached AR Rahman for Rockstar, but got busy making Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal. When he later approached Rahman again for both films, the composer ghosted him. Imtiaz recalled another instance when Rahman 'famously disappeared' after agreeing to compose music for Rockstar. He found himself unsure whether Rahman would actually be doing the music, as the composer had stopped responding to his messages. Imtiaz suspected Rahman might be trying to back out of the project without actually saying no. However, while scouting locations in Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin, Imtiaz learned from a local that Rahman had visited the area and mentioned he was working on a song and a film related to the shrine. That moment of discovery made it clear to the filmmaker that Rahman had already begun working on Rockstar — just in his own quiet and unconventional way. Eventually, Imtiaz began shooting the film in Kashmir, where he also invited Rahman. While visiting snow-covered peaks and dargahs in Pahalgam, Rahman decided to record the song Phir Se Ud Chala. Imtiaz recalled how Rahman's simplicity led the Kashmiri girls in the chorus to believe he was an electrician. He said, 'Rahman sir set up this recording console in the reception of the hotel. He was wearing this black t-shirt paired with a grey trouser. These girls came in to sing chorus and suddenly asked who the music director was. Now, these people were not really exposed to cinema or its people, so they didn't know me or Rahman sir. When they asked, 'Who was the music director', I gestured at them to be quiet and showed them where they had to be for the recording. Rahman sir came out of the table, one of these girls was bold and she asked again, 'Who is the music director?' I finally pointed towards Rahman, and told them Here he is, AR Rahman.' 'One of the girls then denied to believe it and said, 'Yeh AR Rahman thodi hai', I have met him, he looks different.' Rahman played along and said, 'Yeah, yeah, forget about it. And then he sat behind the console and started recording. Until the end of it, these girls didn't realise that they are actually singing for AR Rahman,' he added. The musical romantic drama, written and directed by Imtiaz Ali, starred Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri in lead roles, with Aditi Rao Hydari, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel, Kumud Mishra, Sanjana Sanghi, Aakash Dahiya, and Shammi Kapoor in pivotal supporting roles. While the film had an average run at the box office, it has gone on to achieve cult status over the years.
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Imtiaz Ali reveals a group of chorus girls did not recognise AR Rahman while singing for him in Kashmir: ‘Yeh AR Rahman thodi hai! he looks different'
Imtiaz Ali recently spoke about his collaboration with Oscar-winning music director AR Rahman for the 2011 film ' Rockstar ' and recalled a moment when the musician completely vanished without communicating or responding to his messages. At the same time, he also shared an incident where some girls, who had come to sing chorus, did not initially recognise Rahman. In a recent interview with O2India, Imtiaz revealed that Rahman's behaviour made him believe that the music legend was deliberately avoiding him. However, this assumption about Rahman's silence turned out to be entirely wrong. 'I was thinking maybe he doesn't want to do the film, and that's why he doesn't want to say no directly. So he is giving me a hint, maybe,' he shared. Imtiaz travelled to Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin to scout locations for his film. It was there that he heard something which changed his perspective. Someone told his assistant that Rahman had been there to check the location and had said he was making a song for Hazrat Nizamuddin. Imtiaz realised that it was for his film. 'He is not saying no, but he is also not saying yes to me,' he added. AR Rahman, Saira Banu Separate Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Upto 15% Discount for Salaried Individuals ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo This was the moment that helped Imtiaz understand Rahman's unique style of communication and his creative process. Imtiaz recalled discussing this with Rahman. 'He said, 'I told you I will do it. There are no questions about it.' One thing about Rahman is that he never lies. He would do a song for you even if he had promised it a decade ago.' As the film shoot began in Kashmir, Imtiaz invited Rahman to join him in the picturesque locations. They visited snow-covered peaks and dargahs in Pahalgam. However, the musician declined to record the song 'Phir Se Ud Chala' during that time. Imtiaz spoke about Rahman's simplicity: 'Rahman sir set up this recording console in the reception of the hotel. He was wearing a black T-shirt paired with grey trousers. These girls came in to sing chorus and suddenly asked who the music director was. Now, these people were not really exposed to cinema or its people, so they didn't know me or Rahman sir. When they asked, 'Who is the music director?' I gestured for them to be quiet and directed them to the recording area. Rahman sir came out from behind the table. One of the girls, who was quite bold, asked again, 'Who is the music director?' I finally pointed towards Rahman and said, 'Here he is — A.R. Rahman .'' Imtiaz continued the amusing story: 'One of the girls then refused to believe it and said, 'Yeh A.R. Rahman thodi hai! I've met him — he looks different.' Rahman played along and said, 'Yeah, yeah, forget about it.'' He then started recording without paying attention to the conversation, and the girls sang without knowing it was for Rahman. Best Hindi Movies | Best Tamil Movies | Best Telugu Movies | Best english Movies | Best Malayalam Movies |
