MUMBAI: Oscar and Grammy-winning composer AR Rahman is known not just for his unforgettable music, but also for his deeply personal, unconventional way of working. In a recent conversation with O2India, legendary lyricist Gulzar opened up about Rahman’s solitary music-making process—offering a rare glimpse into the genius of the maestro through a touching anecdote involving the late Lata Mangeshkar.
Calling Rahman a “one-man army,” Gulzar described how the composer often worked completely alone in the studio. “Most of the time, he would be the only person there—sitting with the huge recorder and doing everything himself. He might sometimes have an assistant to plug in wires, but that’s it. It felt very lonely,” Gulzar said.
He then shared a powerful memory from the recording of Jiya Jale, Lata Mangeshkar’s first-ever collaboration with Rahman for Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se (1998). “Rahman’s setup was different. The singer wasn’t visible from where he was recording, and back then, he didn’t understand Hindi well either,” Gulzar explained.
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“After a while, Lata ji asked me, ‘I can’t see anyone in front of me. Who am I singing for? I feel very awkward.’” To help her feel more at ease, Gulzar sat where she could see him—creating a sense of connection that ultimately helped complete the recording.
Despite the initial awkwardness, Jiya Jale went on to become a timeless classic, part of a soundtrack that remains one of Rahman’s best works. The incident highlights not just the iconic collaboration between legends, but also Rahman’s intense dedication to his craft, even if it means working in complete solitude.
His process may be unusual, but as Gulzar’s story shows—it’s also quietly powerful.
