Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has voiced strong opposition to the growing trend of song remixes and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music production, sparking renewed debate on the industry’s direction. In an interview with The Week, Rahman, known for his globally acclaimed compositions, criticised the increasingly frequent “reimagining” of songs for commercial use.
“Misusing Original Songs”
Remixing has long been a fixture of Bollywood, emerging in the late ’90s, but recently the trend has extended to reworking songs barely a few years old. Rahman expressed frustration over this practice, emphasising the need for original content and respect for artists’ work. “You can’t take a song from a movie and use it in another movie six years later, calling it a reimagining,” he remarked. While Rahman acknowledged the space for reinterpretations on social media, he was firm that commercialising such remixes without consent was improper. “You could post it on Instagram, but certainly not make it mainstream,” he added.
Rahman’s frustration isn’t new. Some of his iconic songs have already been remixed, often without his involvement. A prominent example is the reworking of “Humma Humma” from Bombay (1995), which was remade as “The Humma Song” by Tanishk Bagchi and Badshah for OK Jaanu (2017)—a film for which Rahman himself composed the score. However, he had no part in the remix, reflecting his discomfort with such practices.
AI: A Greater Threat to Artists
Beyond remixes, Rahman is wary of AI’s growing influence in the music industry. In the same interview, he voiced concerns over AI potentially undermining the value of original artistry and eroding job opportunities for musicians. Labeling AI as “evil” in its misuse, Rahman warned of ethical complications: “An even bigger evil is people misusing AI and not paying the composer even if they are borrowing his style. We need to bell this cat because it could lead to major ethical issues. People could lose jobs.”
Rahman’s recent projects underscore his dedication to originality, with acclaimed scores for the Tamil film Raayan and Imtiaz Ali’s Amar Singh Chamkila. His upcoming ventures include Chhava and Thug Life, two projects that promise to reflect his signature creativity and commitment to genuine musical storytelling.
As the industry grapples with AI’s rapid development and the ease of remix culture, Rahman’s words serve as a potent reminder of the value of respecting artistic integrity.