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Last Updated: April 25, 2025, 17:26 IST
When Imtiaz Ali and AR Rahman combined their talents for Rockstar, a musical phenomenon was born.
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali recently shared anecdotes about his collaboration with the renowned AR Rahman for the soundtrack of Rockstar, illustrating both the challenges and humorous moments that characterized their partnership. The soundtrack, featuring iconic tracks like Kun Faya Kun, Phir Se Ud Chala, and Nadaan Parindey, became anthems for many, but the path to its creation was not straightforward.
In a conversation with O2India, Imtiaz Ali recounted the early stages of his efforts to enlist Rahman for Rockstar. After making initial contact, Ali found himself immersed in other projects, specifically Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal. Upon returning to the idea of collaborating with Rahman, he experienced an unexpected silence from the composer. “I wasn’t certain if he was subtly declining my offer,” Ali reflected. “My attempts to reach him through calls, texts, and emails went unanswered.”
It wasn’t until a chance encounter in Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin that Ali discovered Rahman was, in fact, working on the music—albeit in his characteristic understated manner. “A local informed me that Rahman had visited the area and hinted at being inspired by the shrine for his compositions. That was my confirmation—he was in,” Ali recounted.
The amusing anecdotes continued when Ali described a memorable experience during the filming of Phir Se Ud Chala in Pahalgam, Kashmir. During the shoot, Rahman was casually set up in the hotel lobby with his recording gear, dressed in a simple black t-shirt and grey trousers. A group of Kashmiri girls came in to record the chorus and, amusingly, mistook him for an electrician.
“They were curious about who the music director was. When I indicated Rahman, one girl confidently said, ‘This isn’t AR Rahman. I’ve seen him, he looks different,’” Ali recalled with a laugh. “Rahman sir simply smiled and said, ‘Yeah, yeah, forget about it.’ They proceeded to record without realizing they were performing for the legendary music composer.”
Despite a moderate box office reception when it was released in 2011, Rockstar has since gained a dedicated following, primarily attributed to its exceptional soundtrack, which continues to resonate with audiences over a decade later.
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