While opinions were divided on AR Rahman’s choice to produce the new Lal Salaam track, he clarified that the singers’ families were compensated for their contributions.
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI), AR Rahman recreated the vocals of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the song “Thimiri Yezhuda” in Rajinikanth’s Lal Salaam. This move sparked contrasting reactions among fans online. The Academy Award-winning composer addressed the matter by disclosing that proper authorization was obtained from the iconic singers’ families, who were also duly remunerated. (Also read: Rajinikanth’s sports drama Lal Salaam receives a new premiere date)
AR Rahman’s Statement
On Tuesday, AR Rahman took to his X account and shared a post from Sony Music South that highlighted the use of AI technology to replicate the singers’ voices. In his caption, Rahman stated: “We sought consent from their families and provided appropriate compensation for utilizing their voice algorithms…technology poses no threat or nuisance when utilized correctly…🙏.” He also included the hashtags respect and nostalgia in his post.
Bamba Bakya, a frequent collaborator with Rahman, passed away in 2022 due to a heart attack. On the other hand, Shahul Hameed met with a tragic end in a car accident near Chennai in 1997.
Diverse Reactions
Fans expressed varied sentiments regarding Rahman’s explanation on the microblogging platform. One fan expressed, “The internet may be divided on this, but hats off to @arrahman! The nostalgia of hearing someone’s voice posthumously is truly a gift to their families, thanks to technology. I look forward to hearing Swarnalatha’s and SPB’s voices in the future.” Another supporter remarked, “You are truly exceptional, dear Thalaivaaa. Only you could conceive and execute something like this.”
However, not all reactions were favorable, with some users deeming the gesture disrespectful and limiting opportunities for emerging talents in the industry. A user commented, “Sir, utilizing someone’s voice without their explicit consent infringes upon their rights and raises ethical concerns regarding ownership and consent. You can do better because you know better.” Another individual expressed, “No, this only diminishes opportunities for other singers to showcase their talent. It paves the way for AI dominance. I fail to comprehend why he doesn’t see this.” “This establishes a precarious precedent, particularly when endorsed by someone of your stature. And why the ‘nostalgia’ hashtag? If we seek nostalgia, we would revisit their existing tracks rather than create AI-assisted content,” critiqued another response.
Lal Salaam, a sports action drama directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, is slated to release in theaters on February 9.
