Released in the mid-1990s, Rangeela changed the look, sound and mood of Hindi cinema. With its fresh storytelling, bold visuals and unforgettable music, the film went on to become a cult classic and marked a turning point for everyone involved.
Long before Rangeela earned that status, its making came with its own share of tension. Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently revisited one such incident involving music composer AR Rahman, recalling a moment that nearly derailed the creation of one of the film’s most memorable songs, Hai Rama. Speaking in an interview, RGV shared that the experience left him confused, irritated and eventually amazed.
According to him, he and AR Rahman travelled to Goa for nearly five days with the sole purpose of working on Hai Rama. RGV expected long music sessions and creative breakthroughs. Instead, each day passed with little progress. Rahman kept reassuring him that something would be ready soon but nothing concrete ever came through. As the days slipped by, RGV’s frustration grew.
At the end of the trip, AR Rahman finally admitted what had really happened. He confessed that he had been completely distracted during the stay and had spent most of his time watching television in the hotel room. He even jokingly suggested that future hotel bookings for him should avoid TVs altogether. RGV admitted he was stunned and momentarily furious but that anger faded once AR Rahman finally delivered the song.
Ironically, the surprise didn’t end there. When RGV first heard Hai Rama, he didn’t like it at all. It sounded nothing like the bold, sensual track he had imagined. He questioned AR Rahman’s approach, unsure how this melody fit his vision. But the more he listened to the track, the more he started liking it. Slowly, he realised that AR Rahman had created something entirely new, something that couldn’t be boxed into expectations.
In the end, AR Rahman’s unusual process proved its worth. Hai Rama became one of Rangeela’s defining tracks, the soundtrack turned into a massive success and the film marked AR Rahman’s powerful entry into Hindi cinema. Years later, the song still lingers, a reminder that genius often arrives on its own schedule.
