Renowned drummer and composer Ranjit Barot, a long-time collaborator with AR Rahman, recently shared his views on the Hindi film industry, calling it “run by businessmen” who lack respect for musicians, and praised Tamil cinema for its professionalism.
From Friends to Colleagues: The AR Rahman Journey
Ranjit Barot revealed that his bond with AR Rahman began long before they became professional colleagues. Their friendship blossomed during their first major collaboration on the iconic song “Humma Humma” for Mani Ratnam’s film, Bombay.
Barot recalled that during their initial sessions, they spent hours just talking about life, including Rahman’s conversion to Islam and his childhood. This deep personal connection, he says, formed the foundation of their enduring professional relationship.
Mani Ratnam’s Unique Vision
While many filmmakers are known for micromanaging artists, Ranjit Barot highlighted Mani Ratnam’s refreshingly different approach. He recounted how Ratnam observed him and Rahman simply chatting on their first day of working on “Humma Humma.”
Instead of intervening, Ratnam left them to their own devices, understanding that “happy people make happy music.” This level of trust and respect from the director allowed their creative process to flourish organically.
Why Bollywood’s Music Falls Short
Barot, who previously worked with legends like RD Burman and Laxmikant-Pyarelal, now steers clear of the Hindi film industry. He contrasts Mumbai’s film scene with Chennai’s, asserting that the latter is “far more professional” and shows greater respect for musicians.
He critically states that the Mumbai film industry is dominated by businessmen who view musicians as commodities once they’ve paid for their services. This attitude, he believes, is a stark departure from the respectful environment he experienced with producers in the 1980s.
According to Barot, this interference and lack of respect contribute to the poor quality and short shelf-life of music coming out of Mumbai today. He lamented that modern Hindi film music often sounds like “one big Punjabi wedding,” focusing solely on dance numbers with little lasting artistic merit.
- Ranjit Barot believes the Hindi film industry is controlled by businessmen who disrespect musicians.
- He praised Tamil cinema for its professionalism and greater respect for artists.
- Barot’s collaboration with AR Rahman on “Humma Humma” began with hours of personal conversation, building a strong friendship.
- Director Mani Ratnam’s trust allowed artists creative freedom, leading to better music.
- Barot suggests Bollywood music today lacks longevity due to producer interference and a focus on generic dance tracks.
Barot’s candid remarks offer a rare glimpse into the evolving dynamics of the Indian music industry, highlighting the significant cultural and professional differences between its various regional hubs.
