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 #ARRahman #Bollywood #Ramayana #HansZimmer #NusratFatehAliKhan #EdSheeran #ArijitSingh #ShreyaGhoshal #Oscars #SlumdogMillionaire