Renowned music director AR Rahman, known for his penchant for experimentation in music, has embarked on a groundbreaking venture in his latest project, ‘Lal Salaam’, featuring superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role. Rahman revealed in an interview that, with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, he has resurrected the voices of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the film’s soundtrack.
Both Bakya and Hameed, celebrated for their unique vocal talents, have contributed to numerous iconic songs, including ‘Ponni Nadi’ from Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ponniyin Selvan’ and ‘Kalame Kalame’ from Rajinikanth’s ‘2.0’. Tragically, both singers passed away prematurely, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable melodies.
Expressing his deep affection for the late singers, Rahman emphasized the importance of seeking permission from their families before integrating their voices into the film. He underscored the significance of respecting intellectual property rights and ensuring fair compensation for their contributions.
While acknowledging the growing trend of using AI to recreate old tracks, Rahman stressed the importance of approaching such endeavors with caution and ensuring that the technology is employed with utmost fidelity to maintain the integrity of the original recordings.
The music maestro revealed that the idea to use AI to revive the voices of deceased singers was met with enthusiasm by the director of ‘Lal Salaam’, Aishwarya, and is anticipated to be a pivotal element in the film’s success. Rahman also disclosed that there has been interest in replicating the voice of the late SP Balasubrahmanyam, indicating a potential expansion of this innovative approach in future projects.
In conclusion, Rahman emphasized that leveraging new technologies like AI should be approached responsibly, with proper permissions and ethical considerations, highlighting the transformative potential of AI in the realm of music production.
