AR Rahman backs out of Abhi-Ash starrer

Months after Dhoon was announced, we heard that AR Rahman would not be composing the music for it any more. Dhoon is cinematographer Rajiv Menon’s Hindi directorial debut vehicle. Hiren Kotwani tells more.

Months after Dhoon was announced, we heard that AR Rahman would not be composing the music for it any more. Dhoon is cinematographer Rajiv Menon’s Hindi directorial debut vehicle.

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Toplining Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, the film, produced by Eros Entertainment, is a musical based on a couple whose professional lives affect their personal relationship.. and how they eventually sort out their differences.

According to an industry source, the work on the music was scheduled to start by now. Rahman had agreed to score the music for Menon’s film before Slumdog Millionnaire and his Oscar Awards.

“But after the Oscar nominations, Rahman had to commit to a couple of projects, which were priority over his films. But he hasn’t yet started composing for them,” our source informed.

The same source added, “After that, Mani Ratnam developed a heart problem and had to be hospitalised for a few days. Consequently, Ratnam’s Raavan with Abhishek and Aishwarya was delayed and Rahman had to reschedule a couple of his other assignments.”

In the interim, Menon was working on the final draft of his film and was scheduled to commence work on the music a little later. Now with Rahman’s dates being rescheduled, Menon is worried that the project will get delayed indefinitely.

So, he is considering other composers who will step into the Oscar winner’s shoes.

“Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Vishal-Shekhar are some of the names under consideration although Menon still hasn’t had a formal discussion with them,” our source added.

Menon refused to comment on his change of plans. All he said was, “It’s too early to say anything definite. Perhaps, in a month or so, I will be able to divulge some details.”