When renowned composer AR Rahman used artificial intelligence to recreate the voices of his late collaborators, Shahul Hameed and Bamba Bakya, it ignited a multi-faceted conversation on ethics, consent, and the role of technology in art. By bringing back the voices of these departed singers for the song “Thimiri yezhuda” in the Rajinikanth-starrer Lal Salaam, Rahman not only stirred joyous nostalgia but also sparked debates around the heavy implications of his actions.
The practice, while celebrated by many fans who reveled in hearing voices they thought were lost to time, also faced criticism. Critics argued that such technological feats might restrict opportunities for emerging singers and tread into ethically ambiguous territories.
Praveen Raj, Bakya’s brother, was initially taken aback by the composer’s initiative. He recalls receiving a call from Khatija Rahman, AR Rahman’s daughter, in January 2023 regarding their plan to recreate his late brother’s voice using AI. Speaking from Chennai, Raj shared his surprise: “There are so many singers keen to sing for Rahman sir. But he was interested in my brother’s voice.” It makes sense, given that Rahman had a special bond with Bakya, having named him and guided his debut in the film industry with the song “Kedakkari” from Mani Ratnam’s Raavanan (2010).
Utilizing an AI platform called Timeless Voice, Rahman managed to breathe life back into Bakya’s voice in the recording studio. Importantly, this wasn’t done in a vacuum. Rahman sought and secured the necessary permissions from Bakya’s entire family. Raj elaborated, “They shared the official letter. Only after all the family members—my late brother’s wife, our mother, our two brothers and I—signed the document giving our permission, did they begin the project.”
A similar sentiment was echoed by the family of Shahul Hameed, another late singer whose voice was recreated. His daughter, Fathima Shahul Hameed, described the meticulous process undertaken by Rahman to ensure authenticity. “First, his daughter Khatija called me to talk about this project. Rahman uncle had introduced my father into the Tamil film industry. So, we’re like family. My father’s voice is quite unique. I heard that when they were trying to create the voice using AI, it didn’t quite sync at first. They were experimenting and trying to match. Rahman uncle wanted to do justice to my father’s voice. He is the kind of person who would go ahead with it only when he was sure he had got it right,” she explained.
Though Fathima was not present at any of the recording sessions, she expressed full faith in Rahman’s ability to honor her father’s legacy. After the audio launch of Lal Salaam, the emotional feedback from their community affirmed their decision. “My younger sister Firosha attended the music launch with our mother. Firosha recorded it on the phone and sent it to me. It was a very emotional moment for all of us,” she said, adding that the response was overwhelmingly positive.
Hameed had a storied history with Rahman, dating back to their first collaboration on the Islamic devotional album Deen Isai Maalai (1989). Rahman, who debuted as a film composer with Roja (1992), teamed up with Hameed for numerous projects until the singer’s untimely death in a 1997 accident. Fathima found it almost surreal that audiences still cherished her father’s voice, saying, “I sent a letter to Rahman uncle, thanking him for creating my father’s voice for a new song.
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The families’ engagement extended beyond mere permission. Raj disclosed that while his family couldn’t attend the initial recording due to scheduling conflicts, Rahman ensured they were emotionally connected to the project. “After creating a sample, they shared it with us. My mother and bhabhi got very emotional on hearing it. My mother and niece attended the music launch. At the event, Rahman sir said there that he had wanted to create many more albums with Bamba.”
While many celebrated the return of these iconic voices, the endeavor also faced scrutiny concerning consent and ownership. Rahman quickly addressed these concerns through a post on X, where he clarified that he had secured the necessary permissions and provided adequate remuneration to the families. Fathima confirmed that they were compensated for the song in all its versions—Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. “After the Tamil song came out, we were told that they were dubbing it in Telugu and Hindi. We were surprised when we learned that we’d be compensated equally for those languages too. Every aspect was done in the correct manner.”
Raj echoed similar sentiments, appreciating Rahman’s efforts to do justice to his late brother’s voice while ensuring fair compensation. “Rahman sir did complete justice to my brother’s voice in all aspects. As for the compensation, it is income for my bhabhi, and my niece’s education.”
The use of AI to resurrect voices has sparked a broader discussion about technology’s role in the arts and the importance of consent and remuneration. In his public statements, Rahman advocated for the careful use of technology, emphasizing that it is not inherently threatening if used with the right intentions. Fathima, too, believes that the prerogative lies entirely with the deceased artiste’s family. “The rights should be owned by the family. I’m no one to say if the voice of another singer, who has passed away, should be created using AI. If the family is okay with it and goes about it correctly in all aspects, including legal and financial, it’s their call.”
Praveen Raj revealed that another composer, Santosh Narayanan, has approached him to recreate Bakya’s voice, and they are following the same documentation and agreement process as they did with Rahman.
For Fathima, the practice ultimately holds profound emotional significance. She remarked, “In my letter to Rahman uncle, I told him how my younger daughter is appreciative of her grandfather’s voice. She never thought of the idea as strange. She was always excited about it.”
What is it? AR Rahman recreated the voices of late singers Shahul Hameed and Bamba Bakya for the song, Thimiri yezhuda, in Lal Salaam.
How it works? The musician sought the permission of late artistes’ families. After getting their nod, Rahman collaborated with the artiste-first platform, Timeless Voice, to create the two-minute-fifty-second song.
Who it benefits? Fans of the singers were thrilled to hear the voices, lost in time, again in a new avatar. It also provided income to the singers’ families, who were given adequate remuneration.
