In this episode of the Good Time Show, Aarthi and Sriram chatted with A.R. Rahman, Oscar-winning music composer, singer, songwriter and recently movie director, fondly known as "The Mozart of Madras". This was a very unique interview - we covered a wide range of topics from his music to movies, working with world class directors, his family and kids, spirituality and the meaning of life, his creative process, technology and AI and the future of India. This was a really interesting episode and was a bucket list interview for Aarthi and Sriram, and we hope you enjoy it too!

On A.R. Rahman

A.R.Rahman’s website

Youtube

Timestamps

0:00 - Highlights

00:01:08 - Aarthi and Sriram introduce the guests

00:02:30 - Rahman on his childhood and early memories of music

00:05:30 - Adopting tech early to make music

00:07:15 - First job doing jingles

00:08:35 - Vangelis and coming full circle

00:11:00 - Is nostalgia a bad thing?

00:12:00 - Cross-pollinate ideas and techniques

00:15:25 - Roja, Mani Ratnam, first big break

00:18:20 - Working with the best directors

21:35 - Creative process of making music for films

23:35 - Diwali movies

25:20 - Thiruda Thiruda music

26:12 - Balachander and Anjali Anjali from Duet

26:58 - Lagaan 29:18 - Dil Se

30:00 - Slumdog Millionaire, Danny Boyle

32:20 - Winning the Oscars

34:15 - International recognition

35:40 - Becoming a director

37:30 - How did Le Musk happen

42:00 - Cannes film festival reception

43:00 - Storytelling, role of art and spirituality

44:20 - Getting into a creative mind state?

45:43 - Artificial Intelligence and can AI take over music

50:35 - On family, having kids and spirituality

53:28 - Advice on raising children

54:50 - God, spirituality and work

55:55 - Secret to being happy

57:45 - Inspiring others - story of Audeze

58:45 - On Indians building technology companies

1:03:00 - Wrap -up