Madhushree recalls collaborating with AR Rahman, Javed Akhtar for Kisna: ‘Your romance is with your art, your voice'

Indian Express

29-05-2025

Composer AR Rahman has often talked about having weird working schedules and how he doesn't even feel the need for extra friends, as he is content with his work. Singer Madhushree, who has collaborated with Rahman on films like Kisna (2005) and Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu (2022), echoed these sentiments in a recent interview, sharing her own experience working with the musical maestro.
In an interview with O2 India, Madhushree talked about the time when she recorded the song 'Hum Mile Na Mile' from the film Kisna and how she had to jump through several hoops to get it done. She shared, 'I was in my house in Andheri and got a call from Rahman's assistant who told me that I needed to get to the Taj hotel as soon as possible. I told her that it will take me at least 2-3 hours before I can get there, but she insisted that I get there right now. So I got into the local train, took a cab after that, and reached the hotel within an hour to work with him.'
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The singer added that her beautiful experience of working on that song did not end there, as she had quite an experience while finally recording the final cut of that song with Subhash Ghai and Javed Akhtar in the studio. 'I went to the studio, and I read the lyrics, and I usually always ask what the song means before singing. Javed sir asked me, 'Madhushree, what do you love the most?' I said, 'My music.' He said, 'I know it is a romantic song, but your romance is with your art, your voice. Sing this, keeping that in mind.' And that note really stuck with me.'
Madhushree added that initially Hariharan was supposed to sing the song with her, but he was unavailable, and Udit Narayan stepped in. The singer admitted that she wanted to do another take of the song and kept pleading her case for the coming days until she got a call back during the most unusual time. 'I normally don't fast, but I had decided to keep one for Navratra that year. On the last day of the fast, Rahman told me that he was doing the final mixing for the song and I could come in and re-take the part I wanted to. Even though I felt weak and not up to the mark, I went, and the moment I started singing, I forgot all about my hunger and fast.'
Kisna was directed by Subhash Ghai, and starred Vivek Oberoi, Isha Sharwani and Antonia Bernath in the lead roles. AR Rahman and Ismail Darbar both worked on the music for the film.