Some artistic partnerships are the epitome of excellence. That is how AR Rahman and Shyam Benegal’s affiliation turned out in unforgettable motion pictures like Zubeidaa and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero. After the veteran filmmaker handed away as we speak, Filmfare spoke to AR Rahman who was heartbroken however he nonetheless managed to articulate his ideas as an ode to Shyam Benegal. Excerpts…
There are some individuals who take artwork a notch larger by their filmmaking, their lyrics or simply their ideas. Shyam ji was considered one of them. I bear in mind researching for his movies be it Zubeidaa (2001) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) – each interval items. He wasn’t very exacting. He was straightforward to work with. I recall Javed saab having discussions with him after which Javed saab and I engaged on the songs collectively.
Not like the standard format of track sittings with the director he was at all times proud of no matter tune I got here up with. He’d at all times say, “good good”. And I might marvel, does he truly prefer it that a lot? I usually requested him, do you prefer it? And he would reply, “Oh! I’ve already picturised the track.”
I recall the Zubeidaa album was so good that the producer offered it for thrice the quantity promised to the music firm. Shyam ji has a particular place in my coronary heart. All the great persons are going away.
