In this episode of the Good Time Show, Aarthi and Sriram chatted with A.R. Rahman, Oscar-winning music composer, singer, songwriter and recently movie director, fondly known as “The Mozart of Madras”. This was a very unique interview – we covered a wide range of topics from his music to movies, working with world class directors, his family and kids, spirituality and the meaning of life, his creative process, technology and AI and the future of India. This was a really interesting episode and was a bucket list interview for Aarthi and Sriram, and we hope you enjoy it too!
On A.R. Rahman
Timestamps
0:00 – Highlights
00:01:08 – Aarthi and Sriram introduce the guests
00:02:30 – Rahman on his childhood and early memories of music
00:05:30 – Adopting tech early to make music
00:07:15 – First job doing jingles
00:08:35 – Vangelis and coming full circle
00:11:00 – Is nostalgia a bad thing?
00:12:00 – Cross-pollinate ideas and techniques
00:15:25 – Roja, Mani Ratnam, first big break
00:18:20 – Working with the best directors
21:35 – Creative process of making music for films
23:35 – Diwali movies
25:20 – Thiruda Thiruda music
26:12 – Balachander and Anjali Anjali from Duet
30:00 – Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle
32:20 – Winning the Oscars
34:15 – International recognition
35:40 – Becoming a director
37:30 – How did Le Musk happen
42:00 – Cannes film festival reception
43:00 – Storytelling, role of art and spirituality
44:20 – Getting into a creative mind state?
45:43 – Artificial Intelligence and can AI take over music
50:35 – On family, having kids and spirituality
53:28 – Advice on raising children
54:50 – God, spirituality and work
55:55 – Secret to being happy
57:45 – Inspiring others – story of Audeze
58:45 – On Indians building technology companies
1:03:00 – Wrap -up
