A R Rehman: Scripting his way towards a new journey

Chennai: It is the holy month of Ramzan, and like any other year, the ‘Mozart of Madras’ Allah Rakha Rahman, a staunch Muslim who prays five times a day and follows roza has flown back home to Chennai to be with his family.

Being a month of giving and charity, one sees a long queue of people waiting outside his Ashok Nagar residence to receive alms from him.

“I feel one needs to be close to one’s family during the holy month of Ramzan. I make sure I return home irrespective of my hectic global commitments,” the soft spoken Rahman tells DC.

The double Oscar winner has added one more feather in his cap.

The prestigious Berklee College of Music is honouring him with an honorary doctorate in recognition of his two-decade-long musical legacy and also setting up a scholarship in his name.

The music icon opens up on turning script writer and producer, his indulgences, staying out of controversy and his Hollywood projects in a DC exclusive.

Writing scripts:
It's been an evolution side by side. Here I am, an artist who travels, am part of Broadway, the West, the stage, everything.

I felt one could implement music in a better way (by writing scripts). The intention is to explore this way too and provide wholesome family entertainment.

Writing is a nucleus of any project. It is the core vision. Since it is music based, it needed that kind of impact. And things are changing drastically, the way films are being made and sensibilities are  changing.

So the capsule has to be updated constantly. I told a couple of friends here and I took courses from one of the Hollywood filmmakers and he also started giving me inputs on my screenplays.

Production Ventures:
We have found a director. I want to keep him under wraps. The story is mine. The lead hero will be in his early 20s and mostly a debutant. I'm co-producing the Bollywood movie along with Eros.

Will it be Direction next?
Oh no!  I've no plans of directing my scripts. That would require my full attention, which I am in no position to give right now

Choosing Hindi scripts over Tamil:
Because they got ready first, they're more complete. The basic outlines for the two Tamil scripts are ready and are being developed. I am excited about the way they are shaping up.

Picking directors for your ventures:
I am looking at those who have the time and dedication and also allow me to be the creative director.  So many conditions have to be met. (He laughs.)

They need to share a vision and work in tandem as well. 

I give them creative space, which is what I expect too from my filmmakers. Some people don't like that.

They are creatively possessive, which is good. But in my case, I want someone who works with me shoulder to shoulder.

Music will be playing a major role:
I think it's just to feel freer than being constrained by an already created platform. I want to create a new platform that will take all the things we want to do it in terms of music.

There will be a great creative team.

I am working with some of the most amazing filmmakers for music.

When directors approach me, their focus is on the script and the heroes. And music is derived accordingly.

On the contrary, in my production, it is more of a 'musical perspective', yet, at the same time, not compromising on screenplay and story, keeping audience interests in mind.

Official launch :
I have been actually full up with financial commitments for my school. So, everything is getting delayed. I am busy with others' projects at the moment. I will make an official announcement.

Hollywood Projects:
One of my favourite films, The Hundred Foot Journey, produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Juliet Blake is releasing on August 8. I might go for its premiere at LA.

Awards matter:
I respect every honour people give me out of love. When I find time, I definitely attend these events. Even for people who are working with me, producers, directors, their music director getting an award creates hype. It's exciting for those who have been supporting me.

Other projects:
Paani with Shekar Kapur, Saath Hindustani, an Imtiaz Ali project.

Staying Out of controversy:
It is a very difficult stand I am taking. I keep telling my family too to be the beacon of hope and peace rather than easily flaring up over something.

More than that, we find unnecessary reasons to fight, which is not worth it. Life is a long journey, and let us make it good for us and others.

I have seen so much negative energy, as a child, within family members, at every stage.

Every day we breathe in negative energy. It is tough, but it would be nice if we could thrash the hatred or negative energy.

If you can't get along with them, be alone, at peace and silent. We have so many other things to achieve in life and the path of progress gets hindered.

It is not a conscious effort not to get into controversies. The instant gratification of spite or giving back something is there in movies.

In real life, it is so frustrating, irritating and drains one's energy.

No partying, no vices:
For me, mental purity is very important. Ramadan time, fasting, you have to pray five times a day.

You are always ready for the next prayer. I have to be clean, take my bath, get prepared for it.

The call for the next one will go off. It's like a timer set in my mind. It's like the dry leaves falling and fresh ones coming up. It's like a meditation.  

Indulgences:
I like travelling, it liberates me, and alone, mostly.

I am alone usually when I go abroad. For me having fun is indulging in music and putting all the naughtiness in my music and not my personality. (He laughs.)

Being grounded:
Life taught me much; yet, I feel that I do not know anything. There's so much to learn.

Every day I learn a great deal. Success and failure are part of life. One has to accept it, everyone faces it. I remain guided.

DC | Anupama Subramanian | July 27, 2014, 06.07 am IST