Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, music director AR Rahman and lyricist Irshad Kamil, who have collaborated on projects including ‘Highway’, ‘Tamasha’, and now ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, have a remarkable ability to create magic on screen. The three recently got together to talk about their most recent project, ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ and they disclosed how they occasionally used playful tactics, like locking Irshad in to pressure him into delivering the lyrics for the songs.
Imtiaz mentioned during the conversation that he has never experienced time constraints while working with Irshad and Rahman.In a video shared on Netflix India’s YouTube channel, he said, “When we work together, we never have the pressure that we have to do something in an hour.” Rahman intervened, “The only pressure we give is him,” gesturing to Irshad. Imtiaz added, “But it’s a positive pressure.” Jokingly questioning Imtiaz’s position, Irshad remarked, “But who will decide if it’s positive or negative?” Imtiaz laughed in response, “We will decide.”
Rahman praised Irshad and remarked, “He can write a song in a year and he can write a song in 10 minutes.” To this, Imtiaz stated, “What he writes in 10 minutes is better.” Rahman explained Irshad’s perspective by saying, “He has worked 40 years for those 10 minutes. We know that all the charge is within him. We love him.” He added, “Because he overthinks the moment we give time to him to think.” Irshad defended his behaviour by claiming that Rahman ‘compels’ him to reflect and that the composer’s works are full of emotions, which he attempts to extract through the lyrics.
Imtiaz Ali also talked about how the song ‘Vida Karo’ from ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ was composed. He revealed AR Rahman turned down the lights in the room and lit candles, followed by a piano jam session in the presence of Irshad Kamil and Imtiaz. Recounting the story, Imtiaz remarked, “It took two hours. We were recording the whole thing and Irshad was writing, within those 2 hours he finished writing and nothing changed.”
Speaking about ‘Tu Kya Jaane’, a song by ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, Rahman recalled the occasion when he locked Irshad in and wouldn’t let him out until he gave him a line from the song. Rahman shared, “I locked the door. I told him I need a line. Imtiaz liked the previous song but I said, ‘We are going to pitch a new song to him. It better be good so give me a line to compose.’ It was a friendly lock. I was sitting in front of him and intimidating him. Within 7 minutes, he gave me the line. I said, ‘You can go now.’”
Based on the late Punjabi artist Amar Singh Chamkila, who was allegedly shot dead at the age of 27. The music of the movie has also been praised and loved by the audience. Punjabi-born songwriter Irshad gave the songs a richness and authenticity.
Imtiaz mentioned during the conversation that he has never experienced time constraints while working with Irshad and Rahman.In a video shared on Netflix India’s YouTube channel, he said, “When we work together, we never have the pressure that we have to do something in an hour.” Rahman intervened, “The only pressure we give is him,” gesturing to Irshad. Imtiaz added, “But it’s a positive pressure.” Jokingly questioning Imtiaz’s position, Irshad remarked, “But who will decide if it’s positive or negative?” Imtiaz laughed in response, “We will decide.”
Rahman praised Irshad and remarked, “He can write a song in a year and he can write a song in 10 minutes.” To this, Imtiaz stated, “What he writes in 10 minutes is better.” Rahman explained Irshad’s perspective by saying, “He has worked 40 years for those 10 minutes. We know that all the charge is within him. We love him.” He added, “Because he overthinks the moment we give time to him to think.” Irshad defended his behaviour by claiming that Rahman ‘compels’ him to reflect and that the composer’s works are full of emotions, which he attempts to extract through the lyrics.
Imtiaz Ali also talked about how the song ‘Vida Karo’ from ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’ was composed. He revealed AR Rahman turned down the lights in the room and lit candles, followed by a piano jam session in the presence of Irshad Kamil and Imtiaz. Recounting the story, Imtiaz remarked, “It took two hours. We were recording the whole thing and Irshad was writing, within those 2 hours he finished writing and nothing changed.”
Speaking about ‘Tu Kya Jaane’, a song by ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’, Rahman recalled the occasion when he locked Irshad in and wouldn’t let him out until he gave him a line from the song. Rahman shared, “I locked the door. I told him I need a line. Imtiaz liked the previous song but I said, ‘We are going to pitch a new song to him. It better be good so give me a line to compose.’ It was a friendly lock. I was sitting in front of him and intimidating him. Within 7 minutes, he gave me the line. I said, ‘You can go now.’”
Based on the late Punjabi artist Amar Singh Chamkila, who was allegedly shot dead at the age of 27. The music of the movie has also been praised and loved by the audience. Punjabi-born songwriter Irshad gave the songs a richness and authenticity.
Laugh riot alert! Hilarious Guess Who chit game featuring director Imtiaz Ali and ‘Amar Singh Chamkila’
