Oscar and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman has collaborated with poet and lyricist Nirmika Singh on Zara Zara, a romantic track from the upcoming silent feature film Gandhi Talks. The film stars Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari in lead roles and is scheduled to release on January 30.

Nirmika Singh talks about collaborating with A.R. Rahman for Gandhi Talks song ‘Zara Zara’ starring Vijay Sethupathi and Aditi Rao Hydari

Despite being a largely wordless film, Gandhi Talks uses music as a key narrative tool, with Zara Zara serving as one of its emotional anchors. The song features a composition built around piano and string arrangements, while the lyrics are designed to reflect the inner thoughts and emotional exchanges of the characters. Sung by emerging vocalists Hinanaaz Bali and Faiz Mustafa, the track captures a quiet love story centred on fleeting moments, longing, and sacrifice.

Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, Gandhi Talks will release in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Marathi. The film’s soundtrack also features voices such as Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh, adding range to the album.

Speaking about the collaboration, Nirmika Singh said, “It has been my honor to collaborate with A.R. Rahman sir once again. When I first heard the melody, it instantly evoked a feeling of sweet nostalgia and old-world charm. I feel privileged to represent the art form of poetry through Hindi, my mother tongue and my primary language of expression. ‘Zara Zara’ is my sincere attempt at fusing Hindustani poetry with modern songwriting.”

She further shared insights into the creative process behind the song, adding, “Rahman sir brings out the best in every artist. His vision for every composition is unique and masterfully executed because he puts together a dream team of the world’s finest musicians and creatives. For ‘Zara Zara’, we jammed over a few months in both studios in Chennai and Mumbai.”

Nirmika Singh has previously collaborated with A.R. Rahman on projects such as Firdaus Sessions, the Hindi anthem for Avengers: Endgame, and songs from Raayan. Apart from her work as a lyricist, she is also the former Executive Editor of Rolling Stone India and the Founder and CEO of creative agency MOX Asia.

With Zara Zara, the makers position music as a storytelling medium that complements the film’s silent format, setting the tone for Gandhi Talks ahead of its theatrical release later this month.

Also Read: Amid AR Rahman controversy, Subhash Ghai calls communal debate an age-old reality: “People who know their work remain unaffected”