Is AR Rahman planning to direct a virtual reality film in Hollywood?

AR Rahman, after weaving magic with his tunes, has now ventured into filmmaking. And he’s definitely not interested in the regular format. The music maestro would rather concentrate on virtual reality format, and is currently busy with his debut directorial, Le Musk. And that’s not it. Rahman, who has composed tracks such as Humma Humma, Maa Tujhe Salaam and Khwaja Mere Khwaja, has already decided on his next film in the same format, and reveals that it will explore various Indian classical dance forms.

Ask if there are Hollywood offers already pouring in, Rahman says, “Yes, there is an offer from Hollywood to make [direct] a virtual reality film, but I will finish my film on Indian classical dance first, and then think about it.”

Excited about the whole idea and the format he is experimenting with, National award winning composer adds, “This one will be even more exciting than Le Musk. It’s based on five different Indian classical dance forms and music will continue to be the foundation of the story.” The film is expected to go on floors next year.

On being asked if he has any Indian classical dancer in mind with whom he would like to collaborate with for the film, Rahman remains tight-lipped and says nothing regarding the cast has been finalised yet. “Directing isn’t an easy job. But I guess I am too much fascinated by this world of virtual reality that I want to make more films in the format,” he quips.

Virtual reality means making something look real that doesn’t actually exist. As per Cambridge dictionary, it is ‘a set of images and sounds, produced by a computer, that seem to represent a place or a situation that a person can take part in’. Rahman recently unveiled prelude of Le Musk via PVR, the only theatre in India equipped with VR facility. It’s a 55-minute-long film, slated to release towards the end of the year, and one can watch it in three parts.