For the first time in his illustrious career, A R Rahman is making a concerted effort to get over his habitually leisurely pace of work. At this very moment he is recording the much-delayed background score for Abbas Tyrewala’s Jhootha Hi Sahi while performing live in the US.
Driven into a corner by the constant criticism about the slow pace of his work Rahman is for the first time combining studio recording with his stage concerts. Earlier he had said to me, “I will be off for my world tour for a major part of 2010. I hope to complete all my studio work by then.”
That of course did not happen. The prime sufferer has been Abbas Tyrewala’s Jhootha Hi Sahi which is less than a month away from release. The music shows no sign of completion. Understandably, a sense of panic has crept into the team’s crew who are wondering if the release date would yet again have to be pushed forward.
The film had been delayed by nearly a year-and-a-half because of its music.Last week, Rahman delivered the songs after much pursuit. And the team heaved a sigh of relief. The formal music launch of Jhootha Hi Sahi has now been locked in.
But now begins the director Tyrewala’s new struggle to get the background music. He flew to Los Angeles on Tuesday to get the music done. Tyrewala has flown to cities in three continents to get the music of Jhootha Hi Sahi into place.
Says a source close to Jhootha Hi Sahi, “Abbas had to go to LA for the background music. There was no choice. After recording the songs Rahman left for his concerts in the US. If you want the best you’ve to make an effort for it. It’s normal procedure with Rahman to go wherever he calls us. He is very busy and we’ve to be where his work takes him. We’ve recorded the songs in London and Chennai. Now we’re recording the background music in LA.”
Abbas Tyrewala confirms from LA that Rahman is indeed moonlighting with music. “Rahman’s concerts in the US were postponed because of technical glitches. They were pushed to September. Rahman had no choice but to leave. And since my film is on the verge of release I’m here in LA to get the background music.”
Talk about killing one bird with two tones.