Singer Rabbi Shergill, renowned for his iconic tracks Bulla Ki Jaana and Tere Bin, has offered a nuanced perspective on collaborating with Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman. While expressing deep admiration for Rahman's musical brilliance, Shergill highlighted a significant shift in the Hindi film industry's approach to lyrics following Rahman's emergence.
Praise for Rahman's Genius with a Critical Observation
During a candid conversation on Divas Gupta's podcast, Shergill was unequivocal in his praise for the composer. "I admire Rahman for his creative genius. He is a genius. There is no doubt about it," he stated emphatically. However, he followed this with a pointed observation about the industry's evolving priorities.
"Rahman phase is not pro poetry or pro lyrics phase in Hindi film industry," Shergill remarked, suggesting that the focus on lyrical depth diminished during the era dominated by Rahman's compositions.
The Core Concern: Lyrics and Expression Taking a Backseat
Elaborating on his viewpoint, Shergill explained that Rahman's arrival marked a pivotal change in how Hindi film music treated its lyrical content. "I feel after Rahman came, the lyrics in the Hindi film industry became secondary, and if lyrics become secondary, that means expression becomes secondary, it means that somewhere your humanity and existence become secondary, this is my issue with Rahman," he articulated, framing it as a broader cultural concern rather than a personal critique.
He stressed that when lyrics are marginalized, the emotional and existential expression within music suffers, potentially diluting the connection between the art and its audience.
Clarifying the Stance: A Language Barrier, Not Personal Blame
Shergill was quick to clarify that his comments were not intended as a personal indictment of Rahman. "It is not his fault because it is not his language. He doesn't understand it," he explained, acknowledging that Hindi is not Rahman's primary language. He even praised Rahman's work in the Tamil film industry, calling it "another ball game" where the composer's mastery is fully realized.
The 52-year-old singer emphasized that his larger concern lies with the industry's decision-making processes. "If somebody doesn't understand your language, I think it was your call. You need to explain all of that to him," he added, suggesting that producers and directors share responsibility in ensuring lyrical integrity when working with composers from different linguistic backgrounds.
AR Rahman's Own Journey with Language Learning
Interestingly, AR Rahman has previously spoken about his efforts to bridge this very gap. He revealed that nearly a decade after establishing himself in Bollywood, following advice from veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai, he undertook the challenge of learning Hindi, Urdu, and Arabic.
"I thought it was beautiful advice. I took it seriously and learned Hindi and Urdu," Rahman had said. His commitment to understanding the nuances of language extended further when he began learning Punjabi after meeting singer Sukhwinder Singh, demonstrating a genuine effort to connect more profoundly with diverse musical and lyrical traditions.
This context adds a layer of complexity to Shergill's observations, highlighting Rahman's personal dedication to growth even as industry practices may have shifted.
Shergill's comments spark a significant conversation about the balance between musical composition and lyrical poetry in Indian cinema, the responsibilities of collaboration across languages, and the evolving identity of Hindi film music in a globalized industry.
