BOMBAY TIMES (June 28, 2016)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 1, 2016)

Veteran politician Kapil Sibal who held several top portfolios during the Congress-led UPA regime wants his foray in films as a lyricist, with the Uttar Pradesh-based political drama, Shorgul, to be big. Mirror hears that the former Communications and IT minister was less than enthused with music director Lalit Pandit's composition of his song and has replaced him with sitar player Niladri Kumar, roping in Arijit Singh for playback.

"We wanted a qawwali for a sequence for which Kapil ji penned 'Tu Hi Tu'. But he felt Lalit's tune didn't do it justice. He was working with Niladri Kumar on a project for underprivileged girl children at the time and suggested that we bring him on board," confirms director Jitendra Tiwari. Sibal reportedly fell in love with one of Niladri's tunes.

"The romantic number is now called 'Tere Bina' and features Turkish supermodel Suha Gezen in an underwater scene," reveals the filmmaker. Meanwhile, three of Lalit's songs have been retained.

Shorgul features Jimmy Sheirgill, Ashutosh Rana and Sanjay Suri in lead roles.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; October 12, 2015)

Roshmilla Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 18, 2014)

Yaami Gautam plays an old-world princess from a Raja Ravi Varma painting in the music video, Aabhi Jaa, featured in AR Rahman’s just-released album Raunaq. The cherry on the musical pie: the song has been penned by Minister of IT & Telecommunications, Kapil Sibal.

“I’ve always wanted to do a costume drama,” admits the actress, who enjoyed the four-day shoot in Chennai even though the make-up took a little longer than usual. “For a wedding sequence I was transformed into a South Indian bride and when I saw the original painting, I was exhilarated by the thought of being a part of history.”

Rahman is yet to see her debut film, Vicky Donor, but Yaami’s face, reminiscent of the women Varma liked to paint, convinced him that she was the right choice.

And working with the Oscar-winning composer was always on the actress’ to-do list. “I’ve loved his music all my life and was amazed at how simple, composed and humble he is.”

And did he offer to make a singer of her? “No,” she retorts. “But I’m not a bad singer and some day, I’d like to sing for a character I’m playing on screen."

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 28, 2014)

Once again, Salman Khan has put his foot in his mouth. The launch of Raunaq, a musical collaboration between A R Rahman and Union Minister (Telecom & IT) Kapil Sibal, yesterday, set the stage for a somewhat hostile interaction between the star and the Oscar-winning composer.

Salman made a fashionably late entrance mid-way through the event. When he was invited to the podium, the 48-year-old actor started off by praising Sibal and said, "Kapil sir is a great lyricist."

What followed made jaws drop. "You all know what an average artist Rahman is. Right?" Salman quipped and immediately the alwayspresent smile on Rahman's face vanished.

Thanks to Rahman's evident displeasure, Salman quickly realised his faux pas and tried to salvage the situation saying, "There are only two things in common between him and me, which is Jai Ho." Rahman did not look impressed by Salman's feeble attempt at humour.

Salman then proceeded to request Rahman to work with him. "Hamaare saath kab kaam karoge yaar?" he asked. Rahman maintained a poker face.

A few minutes later, Salman stretched out his hand to the much-respected music director, but not before bragging that he (Salman) is the best person to inaugurate the music album.

Rahman did not reciprocate the gesture and kept his hand glued to his side.

Moments later, the two posed for pictures with Sibal where Rahman tried to present a cheerful face for the media.

According to an eyewitness present at the event, too much should not be read into Salman's statements. "That's his sense of humour. As for Rahman not stretching out his hand, Salman was standing adjacent to him so it is possible that he didn't see the gesture," he reasoned.

However, another source agreed, "what happened was definitely not in good taste".

Rahman had earlier shot off a legal notice to Salman for using the title Jai Ho, claiming that he had exclusive copyright over the term (Mirror, December 13, 2013). Rahman however later gave his NOC, which facilitated the release of the film.

 

Composer A R Rahman in a candid chat about teaming up with politico Kapil Sibal, the royalty issue, his music school, family and more
Sonali Joshi Pitale (MID-DAY; February 27, 2014)

Meeting maestro A R Rahman almost always translates into a lesson in humility and this chat was no different. The renowned composer, despite his packed schedule, seemed to be in a cheerful food as he answered our questions during the snack break. Here he opened up about a range of topics...

How did this collaboration with Kapil Sibal fall into place?
About a year ago, I was gifted a book of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, and I remember being fascinated by the works featured in it. Around the same time, I met Sibalsaab at a common friend’s place and he read out his poems at this function. He showed me this fat book where he jots down his poems and he told me how inspiration strikes him anywhere, anytime — while on a flight or even at home after a long day’s work.
Around seven to eight poems from this book appealed to me. I then began composing music for the same around six months back. We also got backing from a label and that’s how the video happened.

Given that Sibal is a politician, we have to ask you — how politically aware are you? Particularly with regards to Sibal’s work and image?
I am politically ignorant. I know who our Prime Minister is and that’s the extent of my knowledge about politics. I didn’t even know the ministry Kapilsaab belonged to until recently. His poems are about life, love and separation; they don’t hint at his political background. In fact, these are simple poems and we have presented them in a different light. We have dwelt on ideas such as duality in everyone’s life.

Your views on the ongoing royalty issue.
I don’t think there is any controversy here; what’s needed is fairplay by both parties. I, for one, support the music companies and the artistes as well. In the West, that’s how things work and it’s high time we followed suit. One needs to find a solution where artistes get their royalties and companies too are happy about it. The issue needs to be addressed carefully. It is important that artistes get their share, they deserve to pull themselves out of dire poverty. At the same time, companies need some kind of assurance as well.

You roped in Alia Bhatt to sing a song for Highway. How did that come about?
I did not expect her to have a naturally good voice. But when she sang, I realised that she has a sweet voice. I have now invited her to my music school where she can undergo training. In the next two years, we should be able to cut an album with her.

Are you planning to open a Mumbai branch anytime soon?
If someone were to sponsor it, sure (laughs). But no, we don’t plan to set up a branch anywhere in the country. Also, the school doesn’t aim to teach only western or Indian classical music, it’s more about fusion music. If you want to learn something special, then you have to come all the way to Chennai. For those who can’t afford to make the trip, I want to expand the scope of my NGO, the A R Rahman Foundation, which works towards the upliftment of underprivileged children.

What is your take on awards and honours?
In my youth, I never got any certificates or trophies, and this would leave me frustrated. I didn’t fare well in sports and grew up watching others win awards. Today, I attend most functions where I am honoured, because, in a way, I cherish such recognition.

Among the current crop of musicians, whose work have you followed?
It is not possible for me to single out anyone and say I like his or her work. But one name that comes to mind is Jonita Gandhi. I discovered her talent on YouTube; her voice can adapt to both Indian and western music. I roped her in to sing for Highway and Raunaq. That apart, I liked Mithoon’s work in Aashiqui 2.

Are your children musically inclined?
They are studying at the moment and I can’t force them to pursue music at this stage. But yes, I think it is my duty to teach them music. Whether they take it up professionally or not is a choice best left to them.

What are your upcoming projects?
I have finished working on Arif Ali’s as-yet-untitled film and then there’s Shekhar Kapur’s film, Paani. The latter deals with a complex subject and it will make for an intense film. I also hope to work with Mani (Ratnam) Sir again.

Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 24, 2014)

From afar, Kapil Sibal seems an unlikely lyricist, or at best, an accidental one. But behind the steely exterior is a poet in hiding and the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, is foraying into the art with Raunaq – a music album with seven songs composed by AR Rahman and written by Sibal.

The songs, by Sibal’s own admission, are a reflection of the current social scenario in our country. He has also drawn from personal experiences. “When one writes, his surroundings often end up becoming important participants in the activity. I’ve found that expression through my poetry and the result is beautiful,” the Minister reveals.

Each song revolves around a unique theme. From an individual’s journey through life and the story of a woman’s struggles and eventual success, to love and romance, the album charts several moods.

Collaborating with Rahman was an obvious choice for Sibal considering the musician’s extraordinary body of work and his love for unconventional melodies. “Rahman is a genius. I felt my words had found their soul in his tunes,” Sibal gushes.

He adds that Rahman’s appeal also lies in the fact that his music has a refreshing, non-Bollywood feel to it. “His tone and texture is free of any extravaganza. He creates music, not items. When I wrote these songs, I wanted them in the hands of someone who had consistency of thought and I think Rahman’s music has that.”

With Indian politics at a crucial juncture and his own responsibilities as minister, where does he find the time to write? “If you really like something, you’ll always find the time to pursue it. I'm a romantic at heart. To explore that side, I’ve been writing these songs for the past year-and-a-half,” Sibal asserts.