Music legend AR Rahman is all set to return to Malayalam after almost thirty years. The evergreen songs from his last Malayalam film ‘Yoddha’ released in 1992 still doesn’t fail to impress music lovers. The Oscar winner would be composing music for the much-awaited ‘Malayankunju’ in which veteran director Fazil collaborates with his son actor Fahadh. ‘Malayankunju’ penned by Mahesh Narayanan is helmed by Sajimon Prabhakar. The movie has been scheduled to hit the screens in 2022 February.

Fazil, who is the producer of the film, reveals how the makers managed to rope in AR Rahman to compose the music for ‘Malayankunju’.

Fahadh’s idea

“’Malayankunju’ is the second movie I am producing after ‘Vismayathumbathu’ that was released in 2005. Mahesh Narayanan came to Fahadh with the story of ‘Malayankunju’ while I was waiting to become active in the movies after a long break. I took up the production when I realised that the story was amazing,” says Fazil.

The filming of the movie had begun a year ago. When the shooting got over, Fahadh suddenly realised that ‘Malayankunju’ ought to be a musical film. Fahadh wanted to bring in the best music composer in the industry and couldn’t think of anyone else other than the legend himself. Even though Fazil thought that it would be difficult, he didn’t lose hope as he believes that your dreams would be fulfilled if you truly desire it.

“Fahadh got Rahman’s email address and expressed his intention. Then, they contacted through phone. After speaking over the phone, Fahadh and Mahesh flew to Dubai to meet Rahman. He was in – charge of the music of the Dubai fest. I immediately understood that it would take months to release this movie,” recalls the filmmaker.

Fahadh and Mahesh showed the rough copy of the movie to Rahman. The visuals for the songs had already been filmed. Rahman was thrilled, watching the rushes of the movie. After a few meetings, Rahman finally said ‘yes’ to compose the music of ‘Malayankunju’.

Fulfilling dream

Not many know that AR Rahman was supposed to compose songs for a movie directed by Fazil, years ago. However, the movie got stalled midway. Now, Fazil is thrilled that his dreams have finally been fulfilled.

“While in Dubai, Rahman had told Fahadh to convey his regards to me. I was happy knowing that he still remembers me even twenty years after Madhu Muttam and myself had approached him for a planned movie titled ‘Dulari Harshan’ which was our dream project. We had held discussions with Rahman for the movie that was planned as a musical treat. Rahman liked the story too. However, that movie didn’t take off,” says Fazil.

“ ‘Malayankunju’ is a movie that has incredible scope for re-recording. That must be the factor that had attracted Rahman. He had taken it up as a challenge,” notes Fazil.

There are two songs in ‘Malayankunju’ written by Anwar Ali. 

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