Aishwarya Rai Bachchan led Taal’s helmer Subhash Ghai REVEALS AR Rahman and Anand Bakshi had communication issues on sets; here’s why

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan led Taal's helmer Subhash Ghai REVEALS AR Rahman and Anand Bakshi had communication issues on sets; here's why

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for the nuances of Bollywood, I find it fascinating to delve into the behind-the-scenes stories that shape our beloved films. The tale of Taal, directed by Subhash Ghai, is no exception. The film’s soundtrack, composed by AR Rahman and penned by Anand Bakshi, was a masterpiece, yet it seems they couldn’t even communicate on set!


As a diehard fan, I can’t help but gush over the timeless masterpiece that is Taal, the 1999 musical romantic drama film directed by Subhash Ghai. Though the script, acting, and dialogue were all top-notch, it was the soundtrack that truly stole the show. Composed by the legendary AR Rahman with Anand Bakshi penning the lyrics, these tracks were nothing short of magical. What you might not know is that on set, these two musical geniuses communicated very little! Yet, their combined talent gave us some of the finest music ever heard in a film.

Subhash Ghai, a renowned filmmaker, shared insights about his movie Taal, featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor, during an interview on Radio Nasha. In the conversation, he disclosed that he played the role of a mediator between composer AR Rahman and lyricist Anand Bakshi. He explained to the press that when he initially brought Anand Bakshi and AR Rahman together, neither understood each other’s language as Bakshi didn’t know English and Rahman didn’t speak Hindi.

When he positioned a harmonium among them, assuming two skilled musicians might engage in an impromptu duet, they both hesitated, saying “You start,” and “No, you start.” It wasn’t until 15 minutes of quietness that Ghai understood there was a misunderstanding or lack of communication between the pair.

As a die-hard admirer of their genius, I can’t help but share the thrilling tale of how Rahman and Bakshi managed to collaborate magically for the timeless film “Taal.” Initially, their creative paths seemed destined to diverge, but they miraculously found common ground. In my own words, it went something like this: “The first harmonious piece we created was ‘Kariye Na.’ Rahman masterfully crafted the music, and then he graciously passed it on to Bakshi ji for the enchanting lyrics.” Ghai confirmed this, adding that AR Rahman accepted meager remuneration for his exceptional work in “Taal.” For those who may be unfamiliar, the legendary movie is making a grand comeback on the big screen on September 27.

Through an interview with PTI, Rahman mentioned that his involvement in Ghai’s film was instrumental in landing him a role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bollywood-inspired musical, Bombay Dreams. “I was no longer stereotyped as just a ‘South Indian’ who only did Tamil music,” he explained, further adding that it was Subhash Ghai himself who extended an invitation to Mumbai via fax, leading to his part in the film which celebrated its 25th anniversary since release.

Read More

2024-09-25 21:52