In 1992, it was through “Chinna Chinna Aasai” that we first heard the sound of a then debut composer called AR Rahman. That song from Mani Ratnam’s Roja was sung by a singer called Minmini. 32 years later, Rahman’s daughter, Khatija Rahman is making her debut in Tamil cinema with Halitha Shameem’s ambitious project, titled Minmini. There is a wonderful word in Tamil that succinctly describes this coincidence — Nimiththam. It is this nimiththam, a work of fate, that brought Halitha Shameem to Khatija too. “Minmini is a sensitive film and I felt that a female composer would bring a certain sense of resonance. Khatija reached out to me after Sillu Karupatti to talk about the film, and at that time I asked if she was composing music. She wasn’t ready then, and I too started exploring other options. But later, just at the right time, we got back together, and when she played a few of her independent tracks, I knew this was the sound I wanted for Minmini,” says Halitha, who is joined by Khatija in an interaction with us ahead of the release of Minmini.
Excerpts from a conversation:
Khatija, having worked on independent tracks, and now on a full-length feature film, which process feels more easier for you?
Working with Halitha and Minmini was better because there was a sense of direction here. There is a certain timeline, certain conditions, and certain deadlines. The film too operated in a genre that I quite like. Of course, I am open to working in other genres, but this was something that was right up my alley. I felt like the direction and vision was to my liking. In the indie space, every single thing is my decision, and it isn’t easy, right? Also, I haven’t done a lot of indie songs either to know which is more my vibe.
As opposed to an independent number, films are a culmination of multiple requirements from different departments too, right?
All of us are supporting the bigger picture in cinema. I would compose the score that aligns with the director’s vision and the film’s wants. I strongly believe my music should travel with the film and never disturb what is unfolding on screen. The film is important, and I don’t believe I should use it as an opportunity to showboat myself. Music and the film must go hand-in-hand without one upstaging the other.
ALSO READ: Khatija Rahman on father AR Rahman’s response after listening to her first song: ‘He advised me to find my own sound’
Halitha, were you ever worried that people would see the idea of you filming with the same actors over a period of eight years, would be seen as just another gimmick?
I am confident that they won’t see it as a gimmick, but I am worried about them thinking it is the USP of Minmini. When the audience is informed that the film has two different timelines, six years apart, and I waited for the young actors to grow into adults and play their roles in both timelines, it is tough to gauge their expectations.
But what do you think they might expect from Minmini?
What if they believe I’d have documented their changes in these 8 years? Would they expect something similar to Boyhood? Honestly, my film isn’t about the actor’s journey. It is all about the characters. I just wish they realise that I was not making a Bigg Boss reality show where I documented the lives of my actors over a time period.
Planning to deliberately delay the project and shoot with the same set of actors over a period of 6-8 years is quite ambitious…
Honestly, it didn’t start off this ambitious. It was the performances of these actors as kids that made me want to shoot with the same set in the second half. In fact, we had finished casting for the older versions of these actors, but their performances were very authentic. We were supposed to resume shooting after four years, but the pandemic pushed it to two more years.
ALSO READ: Director Halitha Shameem at Minmini audio launch: ‘Khatija Rahman is a pure soul, and it reflected in her music’
But there might have been doubts in the back of your mind, right?
Yeah, such thoughts did crop up. What if Esther Anil becomes too big an actor, and she has a different image altogether? I had guessed the boys (Gaurav Kaalai and Praveen Kishore) would grow up to look a certain way, but what if my calculations went haywire. I used to call the boys and ask if they had started growing moustaches and beards. Thankfully, everything fell in place.
Here’s the trailer of Minmini
Halitha, even logistically, Minmini wouldn’t have been an easy project to pull off.
Sometimes, cinema is magic. When I was returning to shoot after six years, I had no clue about my investor. I spoke to my producer and DoP Manoj (Paramahamsa) sir only once a year. Since he was always working in big-ticket films, we always had scheduling conflicts. Finally, he gave me a timeframe of three months, but we didn’t have an investor then. On sheer belief, I booked the tickets to go on a recce to Leh. Thankfully, days before I was leaving for Leh, we got the investor. After reaching there, I gained so much confidence that I believed everything was possible. And true to that belief, everything was.
Khatija, with a director who is clear with what they want, how was it to arrive at a common sound for Minmini?
Honestly, I am figuring out what I like in music. I listen to a lot of symphonies, opera, qawwalis, Hollywood OST too. Listening to these types of music is a beautiful experience because when you decode these pieces, you understand the layers that contribute to its timelessness. Such understanding enriches our musical journeys. My director had a very broad perspective of music too. We, in fact, explored world music together. She is even more sensitive than me, but was firm in telling what worked and didn’t work for her. Thankfully, most of my tunes were liked by her.
But Halitha, Khatija once said that your swift acceptance of her music gave her doubts…
Minmini is a musical film, and I understood that Khatija is very versatile. Even though it was seemingly easy to convince me of her tunes, I was impressed with the way she always took time to understand my wants. She analysed what I needed, and why I needed it. She brought her own sound to my desires, and gave me a beautiful score. I liked the process, and of course, knew her music came from a place of honesty.
Halitha Shameem and Khatija Rahman from Minmini Promotions
Social media isn’t often a conducive place for sensitivity. How do you both deal with the trolls and negativity that are part of the digital world?
Halitha: I don’t see social media as a threatening space despite the fact that I have been abused many times. What i have truly earned in this space is goodwill from many sections of people. If someone abuses me, there are four other well-wishers who organically spring to my support.
Khatija: I don’t think there is a way around it, anyway. It has become something you have to deal with. Is it okay? Not at all. But honestly… Do we have a choice?
Finally, Halitha… you are known for making films that feel real and relatable. However, Minmini isn’t just another feel-good film. You are exploring the concept of survivor’s guilt. Are you ever worried about people not relating or resonating with your films?
I did films without expecting the unbridled love that has come my way. So, if I do a film expecting it, or even trying to meet it, I am not sure it would work. Every film is for a different set of audience. Some took Aelay to heart. Some hold Sillu Karupatti closer. Every film will find its own audience. So, But I know Minmini deals with a difficult emotion. I could have taken the easier way out, but I wanted to stay true to the characters and the story. We have taken a very spiritual and philosophical route in Minmini. The film is an experience. I strongly believe that whoever resonates or finds it relatable will hold Minmini close to their hearts. But if you aren’t able to travel with the character or the story, there is always Khatija’s music, the feeling of going on a road trip to the Himalayas, and Manoj sir’s brilliant visuals.
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