On Mani Ratnam's birthday on June 2, Subhash K Jha lists 7 memorable A R Rahman songs in Mani's movies.
Roja Jaaneman from Roja
Roja was Rahman's 1st Hindi soundtrack and listed among Time magazine's 10 best soundtracks of all time.
The title song comes in 2 versions, sung by S P Balasubramaniam and Hariharan. Sujata Mohan does the female vocals in both.
Chotisi Asha from Roja
Rahman says Mani Ratnam wanted a song that conveyed the innocence of a young woman, and they got it, thanks to singer Minmimi.
Tu Hi Re from Bombay
Hariharan, who sang this love ballad with Kavita Krishnamurthy, counts this among his finest.
Jiya Jale from Dil Se..
Lata Mangeshkar's 1st song with Rahman and Mani Ratnam.
Jiya Jale was recorded in 40 minutes.
'When I heard the complete song,' Lataji said, 'mujhe bahut achha laga.'
Chaiyya Chaiyya from Dil Se..
In Chaiyya Chaiyya, some people objected to the use of the word 'tabeez'.
'I'm very careful about the words I use,' Gulzar says. 'There have been many occasions when I've opted out because I wasn't comfortable with the words I was supposed to write.'
Ek Lo Ek Muft from Guru
'Gulzarsaab suggested Bappida, so we invited Bappida to Chennai. He heard the song, liked it and recorded it.'
'I've always liked Bappida. He's an innovator.'
Fanaa from Yuva
Rahman was not happy with the way his music was used in Yuva.
'In Yuva, Mani Ratnam didn't want songs. They were done largely for the background.'