Javed Akhtar recalls AR Rahman's weird yet unique practice: 'Every time we entered the music room, he would light a candle...'

In a recent interview, Javed Akhtar, who has collaborated with AR Rahman on several projects, recalled two things about the Oscar-winning composer that he remembers even today.

Javed Akhtar Javed Akhtar shares his experience of working with AR Rahman. (Photo: YRF/AR Rahman/Instagram)

Javed Akhtar and AR Rahman’s collaboration has given the Indian music industry some of its finest songs. Akhtar, who has worked with Rahman on projects like Lagaan, Swades and Dil Se…, recently recalled two statements from the Oscar-winning composer that he still remembers today.

Call Rahman “Rahman is a very unusual man,” Akhtar told O2india. “He is not an ordinary person. Let me share something unique and strange. Once, we entered the music room. That’s when we started working together. There was a candle in the room. After entering the room, he used to light the candle. I used to wonder what the candle was for when the room was lit. However, I never asked him anything. One day, I think he noticed my curiosity and explained to me the reason behind his habit of lighting a candle. He said, ‘Everything is mechanical here. Everything is a machine. There should be something that is not a machine. Something real. This candle is not a machine. Its light is not a machine. It is not a bulb. It makes us realise that there are other things in life that are beyond machines.’” »

Also read | Bollywood Half-Year Review: The Film Industry Is in Freefall, But Where Is the Bottom?

Rahman narrated another incident: “Although he was younger than me, he told me something very wise which I will never forget. We were working for a producer who made unnecessary suggestions for a song. After he left, I felt irritated and commented, ‘How can he say such nonsense? And that too with such confidence?’ Rahman replied, ‘No worries. We have to listen to them. We should not compromise with our work, but at the same time, when we listen to different opinions and try to satisfy them without losing our standard, we will do different work. If we only do what we love, then there will be a sameness in the work. Our work will become monotonous.’ What a wise thing to say? These two statements of Rahman, I will never forget.”

Just recently, on the occasion of Lagaan’s 23rd anniversary, Javed Akhtar had shared a special note on his X account. His post read, “Today marks 23 years since Lagaan released. I can never forget my music sessions with director Ashutosh Saheb, who is also a dear friend, and musical genius AR Rahman, whose every composition made me stand on my creative toes to reach the level of melodies. I would like to thank both of them.”

Click here for more updates and latest Bollywood news as well as entertainment updates. Also get latest news and top headlines from India and around the world on The Indian Express.

First posted on: 04-07-2024 at 20:03 IST