Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes detail from his 2011 film Rockstar, saying that music composer A. R. Rahman had once explored the idea of having Ranbir Kapoor sing all
the songs in the film. Speaking about the creative process behind the acclaimed soundtrack, Imtiaz shared that Rahman had asked whether Ranbir could sing, and if he was capable, had even considered the possibility of the actor performing the entire album himself. When Imtiaz conveyed this to Ranbir Kapoor, the actor ‘freaked out’ as he cannot sing.
Imtiaz Ali Reveals AR Rahman Wanted Ranbir Kapoor To Sing For Rockstar
In his latest Instagram post, Imtiaz Ali shared an audio note in which he said, “I remember AR Rahman sir had asked me during Rockstar whether Ranbir sings. If he could, then Rahman sir thought it’s a great idea for him to sing all the songs of Rockstar. And I said, “No sir. Please don’t even go in that direction.” And Rahman was like “Let’s see how good or bad he is.” I had told Ranbir, and Ranbir had freaked out doubly more than me and he said, “No, please. I never want to sing in front of him.” So that didn’t happen.”
Eventually, the filmmakers opted for professional playback singers. The Rockstar soundtrack featured 14 tracks, with lyrics written by Irshad Kamil. Playback singer Mohit Chauhan lent his voice to nine songs, which became central to the film’s musical identity. The album, composed by A. R. Rahman, went on to become one of the most celebrated soundtracks in Indian cinema.
Imtiaz Ali Reveals He Is ‘Very Excited’ About Actors Who Can Sing
Meanwhile, he added that while the suggestion did not materialise for Rockstar, it opened up future conversations about actors contributing vocally to his films. In later projects, actors like Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh, and Parineeti Chopra have lent their voices to songs in his films. “In the next film, Alia became the first actor in my film to sing playback and that was really amazing. Then there were Parineeti and Diljit who sang in Chamkila. And now there’s Diljit who’s singing in Main Vapas Aaunga. But the fresh news of course is that young Vedang Raina is singing his own part in Maskara song. And he has achieved this on merit.”
Sharing the story behind how this materialized, the filmmaker said, “I had come to know that Vedang sings. I am very excited about actors who can sing, because I have a dream of making a musical where actors are singing and acting and dancing, and record everything live. I get very excited when actors can do singing and music. So I had heard and I asked Vedang. This is much before we began shooting. Vedang sent some of his songs and they were very nice. He happened to be at the office when Hiral, who works with Rahman sir, who is the music supervisor of this film, happened to visit. We were talking about Maskara song. And then while we were going through the tune, Vedang was there. Being a music person, he was interested. Hiral asked him whether he sings. We asked him to sing those parts right there.”
“He was hitting the notes and then we invited him to come to Rahman sir’s studio that night. And he sang there. And he was being very meticulous, he was a little nervous. But he wanted to get it right and it was a huge thing for him. I saw him touching his ears when Rahman’s sir’s name was taken. But he has come through. Rahman sir heard him. Impressed, and now everyone is humming Vedang’s part in Maskara,” said Imtiaz Ali.
