In what's been described to be a first in the film industry, Academy Award-winning Tamil composer A. R. Rahman has used AI (Artificial Intelligence) to bring back to life the voices of late singers, Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed, for the song titled 'Thimiri Yezhuda' in filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth's Lal Salaam. The blockbuster music director issued a clarification on social media that the permission was acquired from the families of the singers. A. R. Rahman further stated that a remuneration has also been sent to the families of Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for using their voice algorithms in the 'Thimiri Yezhuda' song in Lal Salaam, while informing that technology is not a menace if its implementation is done right.
On Monday evening, January 29, A. R. Rahman wrote on X, "We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms ..technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia 🙏" (sic) Shahul Hameed, who notably collaborated with the celebrated composer on songs 'Usalampatti Penkutti' in Gentleman (1993), 'Rasaathi' in Thiruda Thiruda (1993), and 'Urvasi, Urvasi' in Kadhalan (1994), died in a car crash near Chennai in 1997. On the other hand, Bamba Bakya who sang for A. R. Rahman's compositions namely 'Dingu Dongu' in Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2018), 'Simtaangaran' in Sarkar (2018), 'Pullinangal' in 2.0 (2018), and 'Kaalame' in Bigil (2019), passed away due to a cardiac arrest in 2022.
We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms ..technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia 🙏 https://t.co/X2TpRoGT3l
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) January 29, 2024
The Lal Salaam album was launched at a star-studded audio ceremony held at a private college in Chennai amidst much fanfare. The highly-anticipated film, which marks the big comeback of Aishwarya Rajinikanth, will feature 'Superstar' Rajinikanth making a special appearance, while Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth have been cast in the lead roles. Lal Salaam will see Rajinikanth play Moideen bhai and the promotions around the character have been met with a huge response, with all sights now set on the film's release in theatres starting February 9.
