Filmmaker Subhash Ghai praises music maestro A R Rahman for transforming Mumbai’s music culture through films like ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’. Recalling their collaboration on ‘Taal’, Ghai describes Rahman as a blessed talent who continues to inspire music lovers.
Veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai has praised Oscar-winning music composer A R Rahman for his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema and the music industry, highlighting how the legendary musician transformed Mumbai’s music culture through films such as ‘Lagaan’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Rockstar’. Reflecting on their professional association, Ghai described Rahman as a “blessed talent” whose innovative musical approach continues to influence generations of music lovers.
Taking to Instagram, the filmmaker shared a heartfelt appreciation post dedicated to Rahman, recalling how their musical journey began with the 1999 film ‘Taal’. Ghai revealed that he initially felt nervous about approaching the composer for the project because Rahman was not particularly familiar with Hindi film music or Hindi lyrics at that time.
However, his hesitation gradually disappeared when Rahman mentioned that he used to play the hero flute. This revelation helped Ghai feel more comfortable about collaborating with the composer, eventually allowing him to embrace Rahman’s distinctive musical style.
Sharing a photograph with the music maestro, Ghai recalled their early interaction and expressed admiration for Rahman’s ability to understand different musical traditions and adapt his compositions according to the requirements of a film.
In his Instagram post, Ghai wrote, “A blessed talent from our universe. A R RAHMAN. WHY? I was really nervous when I offered him my film TAAL to him as he cud hardly knew Hindi lyrics n not too close to Hindi films till he told me that he used to play Hero flute. I was relaxed. N entered into his style of music. N u know TAAL till now.”
The filmmaker further credited Rahman with bringing a significant transformation to Mumbai’s music culture through his work in popular films, particularly ‘Lagaan’ and ‘Rang De Basanti’. He also mentioned ‘Rockstar’ while appreciating the composer’s extraordinary ability to explore different musical styles and cultural influences.
Ghai highlighted Rahman’s versatility, explaining that the composer could learn and incorporate sounds from different regions and cultures into his music. According to the filmmaker, Rahman’s ability to respond creatively to different filmmakers, storytelling styles and cinematic requirements makes him an exceptional musical talent.
He also acknowledged Rahman’s international recognition, referring to the composer’s Academy Award-winning song ‘Jai Ho’ from the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Rahman won two Academy Awards for his work on the film, bringing significant international recognition to Indian music.
Expressing his admiration and best wishes, Ghai said Rahman would continue surprising music enthusiasts with his creativity and musical experiments. He also wished the composer lasting happiness and success, acknowledging his enduring contribution to the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, Subhash Ghai and A R Rahman share a notable professional association spanning three feature films: ‘Taal’ (1999), ‘Kisna: The Warrior Poet’ (2005) and ‘Yuvvraaj’ (2008).
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Their collaboration began with ‘Taal’, featuring Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Akshaye Khanna. Released in 1999, the musical romantic drama became particularly memorable for its soundtrack, which remains one of the significant musical contributions to Hindi cinema.
Through his latest tribute, Ghai has once again highlighted Rahman’s lasting influence on Indian film music, celebrating a composer whose innovative sounds, versatility and international achievements have helped shape the musical landscape of Indian cinema.
