Imtiaz Ali Reveals A R Rahman Worked Till 4:30 AM; Says, “Despite Feeling Sleepy, He Would Still Go To The Keyboard”

Imtiaz Ali and A.R. Rahman have delivered some of the most memorable music in Indian cinema through films like Rockstar, Highway, Tamasha, Amar Singh Chamkila and now Main Vaapas Aaunga. Recently, while appearing on Indian Idol, the filmmaker offered a rare glimpse into his creative process with the Oscar-winning composer. Imtiaz spoke about Rahman’s relentless passion for music and revealed how their sessions often continue until the early hours of the morning.

Imtiaz Ali Reveals A R Rahman Worked Till 4:30 AM

During the show, Imtiaz Ali recalled a recent night spent working at A R Rahman’s studio. Sharing an anecdote about the composer’s dedication, he said, “Aur jis tarah se, I think kal raat ko hum kaam kar rahe the; yesterday I was at your studio, sir, at 4:30 in the morning.”

Responding with his trademark humility and humour, Rahman quipped, “For the first time, I felt sleepy.”

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However, Imtiaz explained that even fatigue could not keep the music maestro away from his work. Praising Rahman’s commitment, he added, “But despite feeling sleepy, he would still get up and go to the keyboard. The love for the music… It’s so intense.”

Imtiaz Ali On His 5th Collaboration With A R Rahman

Host Harsh Limbachiyaa pointed out that Main Vaapas Aaunga marks the fifth collaboration between the filmmaker and composer. Reflecting on their long creative journey, Imtiaz admitted that working closely with Rahman has only deepened his admiration for him. He said, “Rehman sir ka fan jitna bada main pehle tha, yeh zarur keh sakta hoon ki unke saath paanch filmein karne ke baad main zyada bada fan ho gaya hoon.”

The filmmaker also highlighted how Rahman continues to reinvent himself with every project. Imtiaz said, “Yeh jaadu pehle se hi create ho raha hai. Inhone intazam nahi kiya tha ki jab main aaunga tab yeh jaadu ka creation shuru hoga. Pehle gaane se ab tak har gaana kuch naya hota hai.”

Furthermore, Imtiaz revealed that every collaboration teaches him something new. He shared, “I think with that kind of admiration, love for his art, it had to be like this with Rehman sir. And I am seeing every time I work with him, every day I work with him, I discover something new which I try to emulate. I am really grateful for this chance that I’ve got.”

The director also took a nostalgic trip down memory lane and urged audiences to revisit one of his favourite Rahman compositions. Recommending the song Aazma Le from Taxi No. 9211, he said, “Mere liye ek waisa gaana hai; aapko maine pehle bola bhi tha, ‘Aazma Le’. Agar kisi ne woh gaana nichoda nahi hai, nichod ke piya nahi hai, toh mera yeh intaza hai ki please aap woh gaana sune. ‘Aazma Le’, Taxi No. 9211, Shekhar ne gaya hua hai. Beautiful song.”

On the work front, Imtiaz Ali is gearing up for the release of Main Vaapas Aaunga. The film stars Diljit Dosanjh, Naseeruddin Shah, Vedang Raina and Sharvari in pivotal roles. Backed by music from A R Rahman, the much-anticipated project is slated to hit theatres on June 12, 2026.

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Also Read: Vedang Raina Is The Youngest Male Lead In A Imtiaz Ali Film? Actor, Director’s REACTION Is Unmissable- Watch

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.