Why RGV-AR Rahman never worked together after 'Daud'
What's the story
Ram Gopal Varma's iconic film Rangeela, starring Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar, and Jackie Shroff, has completed three decades! The romantic musical was a departure from Varma's previous dark films like Shiva and Raat. In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he revealed that Rangeela was a tribute to two Hollywood films he loved: The Sound Of Music and Singing In The Rain. He also spoke about his collaborations with AR Rahman.
Rahman's pace
Varma on working with Rahman
Varma opened up about his experience working with Rahman on Rangeela (1995). He said, "You need a lot of patience to work with him. He works at his own pace. I like doing things yesterday. He likes doing them day after tomorrow." "I didn't have the patience. So, after Rangeela and Daud (1997), we never worked together again." The film marked Rahman's debut as a Hindi film composer with an original score.
Character development
Why 'Rangeela' is like 'The Sound of Music' for Varma
Varma revealed that he deliberately avoided negative characters in Rangeela, inspired by The Sound Of Music, which he called the first film he saw without an antagonist. He shot in a real middle-class house to depict Matondkar and her family's lifestyle. "When people say I made Urmila's career in Rangeela, I completely disagree," Varma said, adding that success is about getting the "right opportunity" for any actor. He also expressed a desire to make another film in the Rangeela genre.
Casting insights
Khan's character was based on a street goon
Varma shared that Khan's character was based on a street goonda he knew in Hyderabad. He also revealed that Matondkar was chosen for Rangeela because she had danced well when the choreographer didn't show up for a song during their previous collaboration, Drohi.
Actor's tribute
Matondkar celebrated 'Rangeela's anniversary too
Matondkar also took to Instagram to celebrate the film's 30th anniversary. She shared a video of herself dancing to the iconic track Rangeela Re and wrote, "Rangeela... It was never just a film.. it was, and still is, a feeling." "Woven with intense joy, hope, dreams...and above all, a grand celebration of life!" The film followed Mili (Matondkar), who faces several roadblocks when both Raj Kamal (Shroff) and Munna (Khan) fall in love with her.