Alka Yagnik regrets rejecting AR Rahman’s Roja song, reveals she wanted to ‘bang head on wall’ after listening to track: ‘Wanted to bury myself…’

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As a dedicated follower of Indian music, I cannot help but be captivated by the enchanting journey of Alka Yagnik and A.R. Rahman’s professional relationship, marked by missed opportunities, regret, and ultimately, redemption. The tale of Yagnik turning down the chance to sing Rojo is a poignant reminder of how our hesitations and unfamiliarity can cloud our judgment and prevent us from seizing extraordinary experiences.

Alka Yagnik initially declined a chance to sing for A. R. Rahman due to unfamiliarity with him, but later regretted her decision upon hearing the stunning tracks he created. She expressed her regret by saying, “When I heard the songs, I felt like I should have banged my head against the wall. They were beautiful songs,” and confessed feelings of embarrassment and a desire to hide when she worked with him again, reminding her of the opportunities she had missed out on. She even admitted, “I wanted to burrow myself into the ground.”

During an interview on Radio Nasha, Alka Yagnik shared a story about her initial encounter with A. R. Rahman. At that point in time, Rahman wasn’t widely recognized in Bombay, but he had a good reputation in the South. Yagnik got a call from Chennai stating that an up-and-coming composer named Rahman admired her work and wanted her and Kumar Sanu to sing for his entire film’s soundtrack. However, Yagnik was busy with other commitments and was reluctant to leave behind the composers she had been working with in Bombay, as she wasn’t familiar with Rahman’s work or what he might accomplish.

Alka disclosed that following the offer from Chennai, she contacted Kumar Sanu, who expressed reservations about working with Rahman due to prior obligations and lack of familiarity with his music. Both artists chose not to take up the offer as they couldn’t break free from their current commitments. Later on, Yagnik confessed that she regretted her decision after listening to the tracks, finding them ‘beautiful’, and wishing she had grabbed the chance when it presented itself.

Alka Yagnik recalled her initial project with A. R. Rahman, mentioning that when they worked together again, upon meeting her, he said, “You haven’t sung my older tunes.” This left her feeling mortified and wishing to hide beneath the earth. It was all on me, a regretful oversight.

Previously, Alka Yagnik shared a story about her recording session for Taal with O2 India on YouTube. She explained that she received a call around 9 PM but didn’t hear from AR Rahman or anyone else until midnight. During this time, she and filmmaker Subhash Ghai passed the hours by sitting in swings, batting away mosquitoes. She grew anxious about working so late into the night, fearing her voice might become too exhausted. However, Subhash Ghai encouraged her to remain patient. By 1 or 2 AM, she started worrying about her vocal strength waning, but Subhash Ghai comforted her with reassurances.

At about 2 in the morning, Rahman showed up looking well-rested, whereas Yagnik and Ghai appeared worn out. Even though he spoke little, Rahman’s peaceful aura and smile made Yagnik feel relaxed, and she thought his manner was both serene and comforting.

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2024-08-17 12:38