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Her father, AR Rahman, is a famend world musician and a two-time Oscar-winner. Her aunt, AR Reihana, is a music director and so is her cousin, the well-known GV Prakash. Her brother AR Ameen is a singer. Hailing from an illustrious household of musicians, Khatija Rahman has made her Tamil debut as music director for Minmini. On this chat with Hindustan Occasions, the 28-year-old music composer says she needs to be identified for her music and talks about how a lot her father has influenced them musically. (Additionally learn: Khatija Rahman reveals father AR Rahman’s recommendation to her as she debuts as composer with Minmini)
You signed your first movie as music director, Lioness, in 2023 as music director however the latest launch, Minmini by director Halitha Shameem, is your debut in Tamil.
When director Halitha Shameem approached me for Minmini, I used to be busy engaged on my music album so I couldn’t take the provide. Put up my album, I acquired the provide for the British co-production, Lioness, from director Kajri Babbar round July in 2023 and I signed that on and across the identical time, I acquired a world provide for a brief movie which I didn’t take up. Then I acquired busy with my marriage ceremony and there have been many issues taking place on the time. After I acquired a suggestion from Dubai, I wished to tell Halitha to replace her about it and he or she mentioned she’d like me to nonetheless come on board if I might as they hadn’t finalised the music director but. She heard my unreleased Indie English observe and he or she favored it. And that’s how I signed Minmini!
Your father, AR Rahman is a two-time Oscar winner and so famend, how a lot of an affect has he been in your musical journey? Minmini’s BGM jogged my memory of your father’s music – the usage of varied devices and orchestration.
Clearly, we have now listened to numerous his songs, watched his movies and we be aware the background rating and compositions. All that’s there however I additionally take heed to numerous worldwide sound tracks and music from Hollywood. I’ve sat in throughout a few of dad’s recordings however I don’t like disturbing him as a result of when musicians are of their inventive zone, we shouldn’t hassle them. I’m going for music lessons even now – my trainer is within the US and he or she is a composer herself. As for what recommendation my dad gave me, he has spoken about how he has labored on compositions. Just lately, he informed us that he doesn’t know a lot about music and that he was doing what he is aware of; he informed us to take heed to numerous world music, take a look at different cultures and to not observe developments as developments are short-lived, so make your personal pattern. He additionally informed us that we have to perceive and observe the director’s imaginative and prescient.
What did he say if you had been supplied Minmini? Does he get into your area?
I informed him I acquired the film and he informed me to evaluate it and resolve if I can deal with it after which tackle the undertaking. I informed him I had already accepted it. Sure, he doesn’t get into our area however is at all times there to supply recommendation if we want one thing.
Being AR Rahman’s daughter, there might be strain and expectations, so had been you apprehensive if you determined to show music director?
I didn’t take into consideration being in contrast as he’s such an enormous legend and I’m simply beginning out. However clearly we have to do nice work as a result of I’ve to make my dad, the director, and my household which has numerous composers, proud. There was nervousness about this facet and I shared this my director (Halitha Shameem) and he or she understood. My husband felt I used to be able to doing this movie and pushed me to take it up. For others this can be a small movie by way of the actors or funds however for me, it was a really large movie. After ready for therefore a few years and doing my work patiently, this was positively an enormous movie for me. I’ve a very good work ethic by God’s grace and I do know I maintain as much as my commitments. However what I used to be apprehensive about was guaranteeing I do a very good job. That concern was a strain inside me. Now, the movie has launched and folks just like the music for the movie; I’m glad.
Has your father seen Minmini? What was his response?
Sure, I referred to as him for the premiere of the film and he got here. After the movie, he shook my hand and mentioned ‘good job’. He spoke to the media after the premiere however I stayed away as a result of I felt it was so surreal. I did not know find out how to deal with the entire state of affairs.
Are you aware what he mentioned to the media?
I heard the speech later. He mentioned that my work was superb and ‘I am not saying this as a result of I am her father. She has set an ordinary.’ He additionally mentioned I had a very good group and we should always assist feminine voices. He favored Halitha Shameem’s work as nicely. Later at house, he informed me to observe Bike Diaries if I hadn’t seen it.
Individuals would say that you just’ll simply get alternatives since you are AR Rahman’s daughter.
There may be nothing unsuitable if anybody says this as a result of that’s the very first thing folks will discover about me. However now that Minmini has launched, folks have genuinely appreciated my work I really feel. They’ll say that’s who she is however she is hardworking. Lots of people, who’re proficient, are struggling with out alternatives and that can create frustration. Now, they’ll know I’m not taking it flippantly and that’s my purpose. I wish to introduce extra folks and assist and uplift musicians as nicely. I imagine I ought to discuss much less and let my work do the speaking.
Do you suppose the Indian movie business has opened up extra for girls now, particularly music administrators, administrators and technicians?
I’ve but to be taught extra in regards to the floor actuality however we have now girls music administrators like Kalyani Nair, Gaana Woman and Revaa in Tamil. Halitha was telling me that girls administrators are much less, even on the world stage. When you take a look at the content material heads for OTT platforms right here, they’re largely girls. I feel issues are positively getting higher. Nonetheless, I do suppose that unbiased artists are usually not handled nicely.
This jogs my memory of an incident – one in every of my associates was chosen as the feminine composer and labored on a undertaking for eight months. After eight months, the producer determined to provide a identified male composer the movie simply because he didn’t wish to go along with a feminine composer. My buddy mentioned she would have been okay in the event that they didn’t like her work; she wouldn’t have taken it personally. After eight months, you realise that you do not wish to give her an opportunity after which the audacity to take the advance given to her again. After which he requested her if he might purchase her tunes as a result of he wasn’t too pleased with the opposite composer. My associates informed me she was completely happy I’ve come into the business now.
Do you favor singing to music composition?
Composition is a good looking course of. As a result of we are able to sing what the composer needs us however as a composer, we are able to craft our personal songs. That may be a lovely course of.
What are the challenges you confronted whereas composing music for the Tamil movie?
It was primarily the strain to do good work however the entire course of was difficult. It was difficult as a result of it was my first movie. And I felt the producer and director have trusted me and I shouldn’t allow them to down. They must be proud.
What’s subsequent for you?
I’m taking part at a fest in Delhi with my band and I’m eager on exploring extra music with my band. I am not restricted to any style so I wish to discover completely different genres. And worldwide cinema too.
