In 2024, the film Lal Salaam, featuring superstar Rajinikanth, sparked a lot of conversation with its song Thimiri Yezhuda. The buzz was mainly about the music, especially because A.R. Rahman used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recreate the voices of two late singers – Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed. While many fans appreciated the emotional tribute, others raised concerns about whether it’s right to use AI to bring back voices of those who have passed away.
Speaking to PTI, music maestro A.R. Rahman shared his views on the growing use of AI in the music industry. He said that while AI offers exciting possibilities, it must be used carefully and responsibly.
Rahman explained, “I don’t know who’s going to control this. Some songs are really vulgar but use famous voices. This needs regulation. If not, it could lead to chaos.” He added that AI, like any other tool, has both good and bad sides. “Good things should help people who never had the chance to share their ideas. But if used in a wrong way, it’s harmful. It’s like mixing poison with oxygen,” he said. According to Rahman, there should be clear rules, just like how society follows ethics and behavior.
He also clarified that before using the recreated voices in Lal Salaam, he had consulted the families of Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed. They gave their permission and were fairly paid for their contribution.
Meanwhile, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya had criticized Rahman, accusing him of relying too much on technology and contributing to the decline of live music. Abhijeet argued that the growing use of digital tools is taking away jobs from traditional musicians who play instruments.
Rahman responded to this criticism in an interview with India Today. He said technology is not meant to replace musicians but to support and enhance music creation. “It’s easy to blame me for everything,” he said, adding playfully, “I still love Abhijeet and would send him cakes.” He also said everyone has a right to their opinion.
Rahman highlighted the efforts he makes to support musicians. “I recently formed an orchestra with 60 women in Dubai. They are employed monthly, and they get insurance and health benefits. For every movie I work on, whether it’s Chhaava or Ponniyin Selvan, I work with 200-300 musicians. Some songs even have more than 100 people involved,” he said. He explained that he doesn’t often post about these things, which is why people may not know.
He also shared that computers and software are just tools that help create new sounds and harmonies. “Sometimes, hiring musicians and then rejecting their work is not practical. But producers know how many musicians I’ve worked with over the years,” he said.
On the professional front, A.R. Rahman is teaming up once again with director Mani Ratnam for their next big movie, Thug Life. The film stars Kamal Haasan in the lead role and is set to hit theatres across India on June 5, 2025.
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