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It’s rare to see an artist win hearts with their very first project but the moment the world witnessed A.R. Rahman’s musical brilliance in his debut film Roja (1992),it was clear that he was here to redefine the Indian music. As he soon went on to win the National Award for Best Music Direction for the same film. Taking you back to this remarkable phase, we bring to you a rare three decade old interview with the man himself, recorded soon after his historic win. In this candid chat, he opens up about becoming a music director, transitioning from Tamil to Hindi cinema, his favourites, and a heartfelt message for fans - Catch it all only on Lehren!

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Transcript
00:05Who or what inspired you to become a music director?
00:09Music direction was in the family because my father was a music director.
00:14And he died when I was very young.
00:17So I had to take up music some way.
00:19And I became a keyboard player when I was young.
00:22I started composing when I was around 20 and it made me.
00:26What do you think is the qualities required to be a good music director?
00:31A good music director now I think should generally bring out the feeling which is needed in the film.
00:42And it shouldn't bring the film down by any way.
00:47And it should lift the scenes and the emotion and the thought of the film which is conveyed by the
00:52director.
00:57And he shouldn't corrupt the ears of people by giving noisy stuff.
01:05Nowadays there is a big craze for rap or pop music.
01:09So what do you feel about it?
01:13I like the best of it.
01:15And I don't say that it is the form of music.
01:19Because somewhere something is good in it and I take that for background music and stuff like that.
01:26You are a very young person.
01:28But you have already established a great name as a music director.
01:31And you have won the national award for your very first film.
01:34So now what is your ultimate goal?
01:36Is to maintain the standard.
01:41In Rangila, how have you catered to the taste of the Hindi audience?
01:47The taste of the Hindi audience is very different from...
01:51It's more international, right?
01:52So my Roja music was received very well.
01:56And this gave me a nice starting for it.
02:02And I am trying to maintain the same kind of standard and go beyond on the melody side.
02:09So who is your favourite person?
02:13Any good musician.
02:16Music or what?
02:17Anything?
02:18Any good musician.
02:20And your favourite song from your own composition?
02:25It depends upon my mood.
02:27In each mood I like one of my numbers.
02:30Can you name some?
02:35Uh...
02:36Tamra Tamra and Roja.
02:38And Chinna Chinna Asai.
02:39Then Gentleman Chikapakurail and...
02:42It goes like that.
02:44After the success of Roja, you have received a lot of offers from the North industry.
02:50Why did you choose Rangila out of all that?
02:54I had accepted around three or four movies.
02:58And Rangila started first.
03:01And...
03:01Ram Gopal Bama is a very modern director and he's interested in music.
03:05He loves every bit of music which I do.
03:08And...
03:09So I had a very good rapper with him.
03:11So I thought I'll start with Rangila.
03:15Do you have any message for your audience?
03:19Uh...
03:23The audience have been very kind.
03:25To support my music and...
03:27Me and...
03:28I thank God for everything.
03:33And I wish...
03:35I could maintain this standard forever.
03:38Go beyond it.
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