Javed Akhtar and AR Rahman is one of the greatest musical duo in the Indian music industry. Akhtar, who worked with Rahman in popular projects like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’ and ‘Dil Se…’, recently recalled a strange habit of the Oscar winning composer which he remembers till date. In a recent interview with O2india, the lyricist and writer opened up about the incident. Let’s check out the complete details of this story.
Javed Akhtar said Rahman is a very unusual man
Akhtar told the outlet,”Rahman is a very unusual man. He is not a usual person. Let me share something unique yet strange. Once we entered the music room. This was when we began working together. There used to be a candle in the room. After entering the room, he used to light the candle. I used to wonder what is the need of the candle when the room is lit? However, I never asked him anything. One day, I think he noticed my curiosity and told me the reason behind his habit of lighting a candle.”
The writer continues, “He said, ‘Everything is mechanical here. Everything is a machine. There should be something that’s not a machine. Something real. This candle is not a machine. Its light is not a machine. It is not a bulb. It makes us realise that there are other things in life which is beyond machines.”
Moreover, he recounted another incident of the talented singer-composer noting, “Though he is younger to me, he said something very wise to me which I will never forget. We were working for a producer, who made useless suggestions for a song. After he left, I felt irritated and commented, ‘How can he talk such nonsense? That too with so much confidence? Rahman replied, ‘No worries. We must listen to them. We should not compromise with our work, but at the same time when we listen to different opinions and try to satisfy them without losing our standard, we will do different kind of work. If we do only what we like, then there will be a similarity in the work. Our work will become monotonous.’ What a wise thing to say? These two statements of Rahman, I will never forget.”
Needless to say, their iconic combination has conquered the hearts of Indians over the decades. Recently, Javed Akhtar had taken to his X handle to share a special note to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Oscar-nominated film Lagaan which features one of their timeless songs. The post reads, “Today it is 23rd year of Lagaan release. I can never forget my music sessions with the director Ashutosh saheb who is also a dear friend and the musical genius AR Rahman whose each composition made me stand on my creative toes to reach the level of the tunes. I would like to thank both of them.”
