Some creative partnerships are the epitome of excellence. That’s how AR Rahman and Shyam Benegal’s association turned out in unforgettable movies like Zubeidaa and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero. After the veteran filmmaker passed away today, Filmfare spoke to AR Rahman who was heartbroken but he still managed to articulate his thoughts as an ode to Shyam Benegal. Excerpts…
There are some people who take art a notch higher through their filmmaking, their lyrics or just their thoughts. Shyam ji was one of them. I remember researching for his films be it Zubeidaa (2001) and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2005) – both period pieces. He wasn’t very exacting. He was easy to work with. I recall Javed saab having discussions with him and then Javed saab and I working on the songs together.
Unlike the traditional format of song sittings with the director he was always happy with whatever tune I came up with. He’d always say, “nice nice”. And I would wonder, does he actually like it that much? I often asked him, do you like it? And he would reply, “Oh! I’ve already picturised the song.”
I recall the Zubeidaa album was so nice that the producer sold it for thrice the amount promised to the music company. Shyam ji has a special place in my heart. All the good people are going away.
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