AR Rahman: I hate telling a contestant you are bad

After exploring the digital platform with his shows ARRived, a singing talent hunt and Harmony, which has him travelling across the country and getting into the roots of our musical heritage, AR Rahman is now moving to TV. The music maestro will be judging The Voice that is adapted from the hit international format by the same name. Here, the Oscar-winning composer tells us why he has taken up the show, what he is looking for in the contestants and his take on remixes.    

You have your own music talent hunt show ARRived on YouTube. So, what prompted you to move to TV?

The YouTube show is done by my company, so I had to judge the show (laughs). But, in a way, it kind of opened up a new platform as it was beautifully received. However, there are people who are not YouTubers yet, and for them, TV is an accessible medium as it has a wider reach. The Voice is an international concept where you hear the voice and don’t need to see how the person (who is singing) looks, though it adds something extra. This is what I believe in and I was surprised to see that the show is also like that.

Moreover, they are giving me a special role where I don’t have to eliminate contestants -- I hate saying you are bad, or that you should get out. Here I will only be a mentor (smiles).  

What will you look for in the contestants?

I am open to watching all the contestants, I get inspired by a couple of people. I don’t have any formulas, the heart does not have any formula. It could be the way they pronounce certain words or the way they emote or express. Each of us has something special and the personality comes out. Many singers have probably sung just one song and gone, but they are popular. With that one song, they have created their identity and become immortalised. So, as I said, it could be the way somebody is singing or interpreting a song. 

Will you be giving a break to any of contestants?

Yes, it is inevitable, as I am always looking our for new talent.

Recently, you celebrated your birthday, what is it that you are planning to achieve this year?       

My biggest test will be the films 99 Songs that I am producing and Le Musk, which I am directing. It’s a little step but huge, so I want to do it right. I have written, produced and scored the music for 99 Songs, but it doesn’t have 99 songs (laughs). It should release in a couple of months. Le Musk is a a virtual reality film. It’s a very tough movie, but very rewarding. Those who have seen it have been kind and encouraging. This won’t release in theatres, it will be an  installation and a viewing experience. 

Of late you haven’t been composing the music for Bollywood films. What is the reason?

I was not doing the music for Bollywood films because I was concentrating on my movies. Also, the directors like Rakeysh (Om Prakash Mehra) and Imtiaz (Ali) whom I am comfortable working with probably didn’t do any movies... though Imtiaz did one with Shah Rukh Khan (Jab Harry Met Sejal). Some of the movies I was to do the music for didn’t take off like Rhea Kapoor’s film. But yes, I am doing the music of Kizie Aur Manny. I did one song for Fakir Of Venice which was out recently. I saw the movie two years back and was bowled over, and decided I want to do the music.  

These days every other movie has a couple of remixes. What is your take on the trend? 

Anybody who has the patience, the love and the time will definitely do a soundtrack, which is completely new and have a sense of pride. It is they don’t have the time and want a hit song, they do a remix. Either they don’t believe in the composer or maybe are superstitious that this is how the trend is and by having it the movie will be a hit!