Imtiaz Ali Opens Up About First Meeting With AR Rahman

Imtiaz expressed in a Netflix India video that he didn’t feel happy or excited or nervous about meeting AR Rahman, seeing it more as a responsibility than a thrilling opportunity. Rahman remembered that the producer urged Imtiaz to approach him.

UTV producers proposed to take Imtiaz to Chennai, set up a meeting with AR Rahman, and pitch the story of ‘Rockstar’ to him. They emphasized the need to secure Rahman’s approval, as he typically didn’t give a straightforward yes or no. When Rahman finally asked about the story, Imtiaz recounted it eagerly, but he sensed that Rahman wasn’t fully grasping or connecting with the narrative as he spoke.

Imtiaz then paused briefly before restarting his pitch, this time by describing a scene with a dark screen accompanied by the sound of music, followed by the lyrics of “Nadaan Parinde.” He recited the lines, and when Rahman asked about their meaning, Imtiaz provided a translation. This moment marked a turning point in Rahman’s interest in the film. Imtiaz sensed that they were now on the same page, and he felt optimistic about Rahman’s involvement in the project.