Rahman: I'm done with period films

Subhash K Jha | July 19, 2005 12:51 IST


A R Rahman has had enough of period films. In fact, he has decided that Mangal Pandey: The Rising will be his last period film.

"(I've done) Too many period films in Hindi -- 1947: Earth, Zubeidaa, Lagaan, The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, Water, Bose: The Forgotten Hero, Kisna," he explains. "I've worked hard on each of the themes but the end result hasn't been worth it. The songs were either pushed into the background or not used at all. Or worse still, used badly. I feel very frustrated by this. But what can I do? Composing tunes is my job. How they are used is not up to me."

For example, Rahman was unhappy with the way Subhash Ghai used his track Hum hain iss pal yahan in Kisna. "Though it was a love ballad, it wasn't sung by the lead pair (Vivek Oberoi and Isha Shervani). It was placed in the background. That killed the song's impact."

Mangal Pandey: Music Review

But the worst experience was Bose: The Forgotten Hero. "It's become Bose: The Forgotten Music," Rahman jokes. "Sahara had promised a grand launch for the music and a grand premiere for the film. But none of it happened. I had worked really hard on the music but it came to zero. But after Zubeidaa and Bose, I'm doing another film with Shyam Benegal. It's a full-on musical."

Now, Rahman hopes to make contemporary music. "All my Hindi assignments at the moment including Rakesh Mehra's Rang De Basanti and Abbas Tyrewala's romantic film are contemporary subjects. I'm done with period films now. I think Mangal Pandey would be last film of that ilk."

Rightfully proud of his compositions in the just-released Mangal Pandey, Rahman reveals how he had been offered three films about freedom fighters including Roland Joffe's The Invaders. "But I chose Mangal Pandey. Yeah, the fact that Aamir Khan was in it did influence my decision. Aamir and I gelled well during Lagaan. In fact, I'm really proud of my work in Lagaan and 1947-Earth, which also starred Aamir."

Water, the last part of Deepa Mehta's trilogy, after Fire and 1947-Earth, is now ready for release. It's the first project where Rahman has scored the songs but not the background music. "I moved away because of the controversies surrounding the film. What's the point of creating music for a project that makes some people unhappy? But I saw Water recently. And it took my breath away."

Does Rahman have any favourites among the current music composers? "I like M M Kreem's music. His Jadoo hai nasha hai in Jism was a surprise. And I like a couple of Pakistani songs which have been used in Hindi films like Murder," he signs off.


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I hate to see a creative composer like ARR being stuck in the same genre....

Thats sad imho - from the current crop he is the best music director (along with IR , Naushad ?? ) for period films and its a shame that it was not appreciated enough

Its understandable. There's not as much scope for experimentation in a period film. And since most Hindi period films are about India's independence or Partition or have something to do with this conflict, the scope is even more limited. There are no period films taking place in the 1950s or 60s, for example (only one I can think of is Iruvar.

Ismail Darbar is pretty good for period films. I liked his work on Devdas and Kisna. Seems he can only do period films well!

I think he was appreciated, but just got prototype stuck on that!
But lately his two commercial films, Lakeer and Tehzeeb were sub Rehman's Par! DNJAK, I liked it but he could not complete it!

Meenaxi..I dont know what genre you will put in was Brilliant though!

Bose..was right on the Mark!
Swades could not grow out from under the clouds of Lagan!

Rehman need to do a couple Rangeelas! Imho!

Ismail darbar is good for period films but somehow, could not flourish without Bhansali!

Does any one know? if there is a music release of WATER?

I am not having too much expectations about water...

u r rite arsh...rahman needs to do couple more of those rangeela type songs...

Water wont be 1947 earth but will be quality music! Did you ever get to listen to FIRE?? It is not for casual listening but very high quality work!