Who created 'Jai Ho'? Controversy between AR Rahman-RGV explained
For the past week, AR Rahman's Oscar-winning track Jai Ho, from the movie Slumdog Millionaire, has been hitting headlines. Albeit, not for the right reasons. Satya director Ram Gopal Varma brought the song up during an interview with Film Companion, asserting that Sukhwinder Singh, the song's singer, composed the track, and not Rahman. The claim was swiftly taken down by Singh, who told Hindustan Times, "AR Rahman has composed the song, I have only sung it."
Varma talked about how the song was meant for 'Yuvvraaj'
Varma mentioned that the track was initially intended for Subhash Ghai's Yuvvraaj. He added that during a busy schedule, Rahman asked Singh to compose the song as Ghai was awaiting his input. Per Varma, Ghai then argued with Rahman, "I am paying you crores and you're making Sukhwinder make a tune for me. You have the guts to say that in front of me? Who are you to take my money and make Sukhwinder do the music for me?"
This is how Rahman responded to Ghai's anger
After this alleged fight between Rahman and Ghai, the music maestro reportedly told Ghai, "Sir, you are paying for my name, not my music. If I am endorsing it, it becomes mine. Now you happen to be here, how do you know where I took Taal music from? My driver could have done it, maybe someone else, whatever else." Notably, neither Ghai nor Rahman have yet reacted to Varma's claims.
Singh recently clarified his stance on the matter
Singh told HT, "Ram Gopal Varma ji koi chhoti hasti toh nahi hain, shayad unhe kuchh galat pata chala hoga. (He is not a nobody, maybe he misinterpreted something)." Gulzar sahab had written this song, and Rahman liked it. Then he composed it in my studio in Juhu, Mumbai. He made Subhash ji listen to it. I had not sung the song till that point in time." Since the song didn't suit Yuvvraaj, it went to Slumdog Millionaire.
Singh shed light on the song recording process
Singh recalled that Ghai wanted a completely different song for his characters. "Then he left, Rahman left. I was sad." "I requested Gulzar sahab to stay back for 10-15 minutes. He asked why, to which I replied, he has written it so well, let me try singing. Naachte kudte maine gaa diya. It was the same Jai Ho you listen to today. I sent it across to Rahman sahab, who in turn made it listen to Danny Boyle."
A look at the collaborations between Rahman and others
Despite this alleged fight, Rahman went on to create several soulful melodies for Yuvvraaj, such as Tu Meri Dost Hai, Shanno Shanno, and Dil Ka Rishta, among others. Separately, Varma has collaborated with Rahman on movies such as Rangeela and Daud. Singh, too, is a frequent collaborator of Rahman, having sung immortal songs for him such as Chaiyya Chaiyya, Taal Se Taal, Ramta Jogi, Mitwa (Lagaan), and Ghanan Ghanan.
