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In Conversation with A. R. Rahman

Asian Network BollywoodHaroon Rashid

Multi-award-winning music composer A. R. Rahman talks to Haroon about his career, the stories behind some of his best loved songs as well playing snippets of them on his piano.

Film composer A. R. Rahman speaks exclusively to Asian Network's Haroon Rashid.

Haroon caught up with the multi-award-winning music composer who’s behind the soundtracks to movies including Bombay, Rockstar, Dil Se, Lagaan, Taal, to name a few.

A. R. Rahman talks about everything from him almost leaving the film music industry to working with artists like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, how his faith informs everything he does, how he deals with making music for films which could be seen as problematic, how AI is an opportunity for all musicians as well telling us the stories behind some of his best loved songs.

But it’s not all talk because while he and Haroon chatted, A.R. was sat at a piano and played snippets of some of his most famous pieces.

Prepare to be blown away.

Produced by BBC Audio for BBC Asian Network.

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1 hour

Last on

Last Wednesday21:00
BBC Asian Network

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Music Played

  • S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

    Roja (from Roja)

    • Roja.
    • OMI Music.

  • Minmini & AR Rahman

    Chhoti Si Asha (from Roja)

    • Roja.
    • OMI Music.

  • Remo Fernandes

    Humma Humma

    • Bombay.
    • Universal Music.

  • Hariharan & Kavita Krishnamurthy

    Tu Hi Re (from Bombay)

    • Bombay.
    • Universal Music India.

  • Chitra

    Kehna Hi Kya

    • Bombay.
    • Universal Music India.

  • Asha Bhosle & Aditya Narayan

    Rangeela Re (from Rangeela)

    • Rangeela.
    • Tips Music.

  • Udit Narayan

    Kya Kare Kya Na Kare (from Rangeela)

    • Rangeela.
    • Tips.

  • Lata Mangeshkar & M G Sreekuma

    Jiya Jale (from Dil Se...)

    • Dil Se....
    • Venus Records India.

  • AR Rahman & Lata Mangeshkar

    Luka Chuppi (from Rang De Basanti)

    • Rang De Basanti.
    • Sony BMG.

  • Sonu Nigam, Krishnakali Saha & Sachin‐Jigar

    Pardesiya (from Param Sundari)

    • Param Sundari.
    • Universal Music India.

  • Sonu Nigam

    Saathiya (from Saathiya)

    • Saathiya.
    • RPG.

  • Richa Sharma, Asha Bhosle & Aditya Narayan

    Kahin Aag Lage (from Taal)

    • Taal.
    • Tips.

  • Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan & AR Rahman

    Kun Faya Kun

    • Rockstar.
    • T Series.

  • AR Rahman

    Khwaja Mere Khwaja (from Jodhaa Akbar)

    • Jodhaa Akbar.
    • UTV Music.

  • AR Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls

    Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) (feat. Nicole Scherzinger)

    • Polydor.

  • Alka Yagnik & Ila Arun

    Ringa Ringa (from Slumdog Millionaire)

    • Slumdog Millionaire.
    • T SERIES.

  • Kavita Krishnamurthy & Sukhwinder Singh

    Main Albeli

    • Zubeidaa.
    • Sony Music.

  • Kavita Krishnamurthy

    Dheeme Dheeme (from Zubeidaa)

    • Zubeidaa.
    • Sony Music.

  • AR Rahman, Javed Ali, Kirti Sagathia & A.V. Pooja

    Tum Tak (from Raanjhanaa)

    • Raanjhanaa.
    • Sony Music Entertainment India Pvt. Ltd..

  • Asha Bhosle

    Tanha Tanha Yaha Pe Jeena (from Rangeela)

    • Rangeela.
    • TIPS Music.

  • Asha Bhosle & Karthik

    Chori Pe Chori

    • Saathiya.
    • YRF Music.

  • Anuradha Paudwal & Sonu Nigam

    Kismat Se Tum Hum Ko Mile

    • Pukar.
    • Venus Records & Tapes, Ltd..

  • Alka Yagnik & Arijit Singh

    Agar Tum Saath Ho (from Tamasha)

    • Tamasha.
    • T Series.

  • Sukhwinder Singh & Sapna Awasti

    Chaiyya Chaiyya

    • Dil Se....
    • Venus Records India.

Broadcast

  • Last Wednesday21:00
    BBC Asian Network

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