A.R. Rahman describes composing music for Rajinikanth films in the past as 'hell', reveals how he started hating festivals

A.R. Rahman is one of the most sought after musicians in the country but like all artists he needs his space and time to be able to create the magic his compositions are known for. The music director opened up about creating music for Rajinikanth movies in the past and described the experience as ‘hell’ due to the pressure it came it.

Talking to the YouTube channel Our Stupid reaction, A.R. Rahman revealed how working on festive releases came with tight deadlines and he described the pressure to be worse than creative blocks. Rahman said, “At least now it’s better, but before it used to be, we start in March, when I used to do Rajinikanth movies… This movie will have to release by Diwali, they will say. And then, I will have to do the songs, I will have to do the background, and the electricity used to be very frankky at my place. We used to have two generators stationed. It was hell.” 

He further elaborated on the issue and revealed how he’d have to prioritize Rajinikanth’s films over all his other work when working on multiple projects. A.R. Rahman admitted that it annoyed the other directors who he also had to deliver work to. “I used to do three movies, so the other directors would say, ‘My stuff is coming on Diwali too, AR’. It was hell. I used to hate all these festivals, because they used to give me hell, whether it was Diwali or New Year or Pongal, because I never used to enjoy. Now, there’s much more leisure,” Rahman added.

The music director has worked on Rajinikanth films like Lingaa, Muthu, Shivaji The Boss, Enthiran and 2.0.