AR Rahman on ‘Malayankunju’: I could relate to the character, as I could have become a radio mechanic

Fahadh Faasil’s ambitious film ‘Malayankunju’ directed by Sajimon Prabhakar is heading to the cinemas on July 22. The film has a passionate bunch of cast and crew, including music maestro AR Rahman. The Oscar-winning composer is returning to Malayalam cinema after almost three decades and in a recent promo released by the team, AR Rahman speaks about what influenced him to choose the project.
AR Rahman revealed that he was working for the Dubai 2020 Expo when he received an email from Fahadh Faasil speaking about ‘Malayankunju’. “I was surprised and said that I am in Dubai. ‘Can you come and see me here?’ He came with scenarist-cinematographer Mahesh Narayanan and showed me the movie. Fahadh is a very natural actor, but, I didn't have time to do this movie. So I asked him, ‘Why dont we do the next?’,” AR Rahman said.
The musician added that though he was on a tight schedule he was drawn toward the movie, especially the character played by Fahadh Faasil, “I could relate to the character, as I could have become a radio mechanic if my mom didn’t introduce me to music. So, I could relate to that character and what goes through his brain, because he is into electronics and he is in this village; such a paradox.”
AR Rahman added that he composed the music according to the emotional and mental conditions the protagonist played by Fahadh Faasil goes through in the film. He also revealed that the major concern was the time as he had some other projects lined up during the time, “The impossible was the time because I was doing ‘Ponniyin Selvan’, the Expo, but somehow I found time to do this with him and this passionate team. And I am glad that I did that and I hope you like the music.”

“So I am coming to Malayalam film industry after 28 years, I am also doing Blessy sir's 'Aadujeevitham’. And I hope to do more movies in Malayalam,” he said signing off.