I met Mr Sibal about a year back. He showed me some of his writings, which inspired me to design a music video based on that and create a character to make it look like a short story. It was a wholesome experience, I must say. His lyrics are simple and have a sense of individuality. I have always worked on film music and so this writing of free will is a quality that I like.

 

As for Mr Sibal, we met at a common friend’s place. Then I had three sessions with him. Of his 30 poems, I selected about nine which suited my requirements.

Was that the only reason you decided to compose for this album?

 

At that point of time, I was composing for English movies. On seeing a pack of complete lyrics, I thought it was a nice way to come back to India and do some independent work. Since I had received a book on the legendary painter Raja Ravi Varma’s painting around that time, it inspired me to connect it with the fascinating seven to eight works from Mr. Sibal’s anthology of poems. When I read the lyrics, there was a sense of visuals expanding in my mind, which was developed into concepts for the video. Here the difference is not just composing music, but also conceptualising the music videos, the stories. So I had two roles to perform; that of a music composer and a visualiser. (Laughs)

 

What was your task as a visualiser?

 

To write ideas, musically. Basically, it is same as writing a story. I wanted the character in the video to interact with all the characters in the painting and make it come alive. The Aa bhi jaa video stars Yaami Gautam and Muzammil (Ibrahim). It is a surreal kind of a music video about a prince rescuing a princess from committing suicide by jumping into the fire. Of the other eight songs, I have performed in a couple of them (laughs). Shreya Ghosal, and Jonita Gandhi have also rendered their voices in this album, besides Lata Mangeshkar. Moreover, this album is also a stepping stone to my film writing as I am planning to turn writer and creative producer soon. This would add to my already full plate. As for the songs, I needed something simple, perfect and hummable. Many complain about not getting to hear some nice lyrics and tune. Everything is fast nowadays. So, I have really kept it simple here and used very few instruments. It is more vocal and lyrical, rather than instrumental where I have mainly used guitar strings.

 

Working with Lataji is everyone’s dream. What was your experience this time?

 

Lataji is singing a very important song. It is called Laadli and is the heart of the album. It is based on today’s women of India and what she stands for. I am yet to record the song with her. I have had the good fortune of working with her earlier. It is always great.

 

When are you planning to release the entire album?

 

In about three week’s time, once we finish recording the other songs. We have released just one song as that is the present trend. It is said that the work has more lifeline like this. It is believed that if the entire album is released at one go, it is finished and out of people’s mind, in no time. So this way, interest sustains and there is a level of curiosity.

 

Are there any more plans in the offing to work with Sony Music post Raunaq?

 

There’s just Kochadaiyaan —The Legend as of now.

 

Highway was your last Hindi release. Was it easy to work on its songs, especially Pataka guddi?

 

I have always had this desire to do a full-fledged Punjabi song or an album as I am a big fan of the language and the sound of its music. However, I had thought of doing it at a later stage. But Imtiaz Ali (director) came to me and described the kind of song he wanted for Highway. When I heard it, I volunteered to sing it as well. However, we also recorded the song with Nooran sisters. When Bhushan Kumar of T-Series heard the song, he decided to make a music video. That’s how it all happened.

 

Did you have to work on the accent?

 

I have had to work on everything in my life. (laughs) But, yes, it was easy as there were Imtiaz and Irshad (Kamil) and things just fell into place.

 

Pataka guddi is quite unique as the song includes three languages, including Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. How did this come about?

 

Oh! Is it? I thought it was just Punjabi. For me, however, it is the sound that matters. And when I started the song, there was a sense of freedom and I wanted to go somewhere. Normally, folk songs tend to have a monotonous tone hence with Pataka guddi, we wanted to take it further. It was 16-minutes long and had to be cut down to three songs; one of which was not used. And Mahi re was the antaara of this song, but ended up becoming the second song.

 

You have worked in Hindi, South and Hollywood films, but how do you work on the music of a particular state like you did in Highway?

 

I have been exposed to a lot of music since the last 20 years in India. I love Gujarati, Bengali, Rajasthani and Punjabi music, while the music of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh are all in me. In fact, every kind of music is rooted in me, as I keep listening and liking them. Though the beats are different in each state, if you live with it, you get used to its energy and soul. So it comes to me naturally during composition. I love Rajasthani music so much that there was a Rajasthani group band performing at my wedding. (laughs)

 

What made you turn actress Alia Bhatt into a singer?

Imtiaz heard her one day and asked me if we could try and make her sing. She came to the studio and when she sang, I thought she could pull it off. I told her that if she learns for two more years, she could become a professional singer.

 

Has she taken your advice seriously?

I think she has. She has a very sweet voice.

 

The team of A.R.Rahman, Irshad Kamil and Imtiaz Ali are set to perform a hat-trick with Window Seat, post Rockstar and Highway.

 

Hopefully. God willing. However, I don’t know when Imtiaz is starting the film.

 

Tell us about another of your most ambitious project, the KM Music Conservatory.

 

From a small place, we have moved into a 40000 sq feet college, so I feel good about it. Also the fact that the students performed in Scotland recently; they performed in Germany last year. I am glad that good opportunities are coming as it is important to develop musicians.

 

Do you teach them personally

 

No, I facilitate them (pause), I pay the mortgage (laughs).

 

Over the years you have won numerous honours. What do awards mean to you today?

 

What does one do with awards after you get it? Nothing. You forget about it and start working again. Awards are not going to compose the music.

 

So, what can we expect from you in the future?

 

I am working on Arif Ali, Imtiaz’s brother’s next film. Then there is Shekhar Kapur’s Paani. Kochadaiyaan is looking good. Its Hindi music is coming up for release soon. Though the music is the same, the lyrics is different. I am also working on the Tamil period-drama Kaaviya Thalaivan which is directed by National award-winning director Vasanthabalan and is set in the 1930s. And I also have some Hollywood projects on hand.