As Rangeela prepares for its re-release on November 28, director Ram Gopal Varma has shared an anecdote that offers a fresh look at the making of one of the film’s most celebrated songs, ‘Hai Rama’. In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Varma revisited the creative hurdles he faced while working with AR Rahman, whose unhurried pace during composing sessions often pushed his patience to the limit.

“I wanted to hit him”: Ram Gopal Varma shares the making-of story behind ‘Hai Rama’ with AR Rahman

The director recalled travelling with Rahman to Goa to develop the track. Despite spending five days there, Rahman didn’t compose a single line. Varma said, “We went to Goa for the composition of the ‘Hai Rama’ song. First day he told me, ‘Ramu, I’m just thinking of something, I’ll make you listen tomorrow.’ Second day he said something else. Third day he said something… all five days he was not doing anything. And then he said, ‘I’ll go to Chennai and I will send you from there.’”

It was only later that Rahman revealed the actual reason for the delay. “He told me, ‘Next time you get me to a hotel, make sure there is no TV. Because all this time I was watching TV.’ I wanted to hit him,” Varma said, adding that the moment of exasperation eventually gave way to admiration once he heard the final composition. “For great things one needs to have the patience to wait… and it’s worth it at the end of the day.”

‘Hai Rama’, featured in the 1995 romantic drama starring Aamir Khan, Urmila Matondkar, and Jackie Shroff, went on to become one of Rahman’s defining works of the decade. Its evocative melody and sensual tone made it a standout within Rangeela’s soundtrack, and the song remains an enduring favourite among fans.

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