Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali has offered a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the extraordinary work ethic of Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman, revealing that the music maestro routinely works into the early hours of the morning — driven purely by his love for the craft. Ali shared the anecdote during a candid appearance on the music reality show Indian Idol.

The 4:30 AM Studio Session

Recounting a recent late-night recording session, Imtiaz Ali told the audience: 'Aur jis tarah se, I think kal raat ko hum kaam kar rahe the, yesterday I was at your studio sir 4:30 in the morning.' (And the way… I think we were working last night. Yesterday, I was at your studio, sir, till 4:30 in the morning.)

Rahman, characteristically understated, responded with a light-hearted quip: 'For the first time I felt sleepy.' The exchange drew warm laughter from the studio audience, even as it underscored a well-known truth about the composer's relentless dedication.

Five Films, a Growing Admiration

Show host Harsh Limbachiyaa noted that the Imtiaz Ali–AR Rahman collaboration now spans five films, describing the pair's body of work as 'magic.' Responding to the compliment, Ali said in Hindi: 'This magic has been getting created from the very beginning itself. It's not like he planned that the magic would start only when I came along. From the very first song till now, every song has been something new.'

Ali also reflected on how working closely with Rahman has deepened his appreciation: 'As big a fan as I was of Rehman sir earlier, I can definitely say that after doing five films with him, I've become an even bigger fan of his.'

Love for Music That Defies Exhaustion

Ali elaborated on what sets Rahman apart, speaking in English: 'But despite feeling sleepy, he would still get up and go to the keyboard. The love for the music, it's so intense. I think with that kind of admiration, love for his art, it had to be like this with Rehman sir. And I am seeing every time I work with him, every day I work with him, I discover something new which I try to emulate. I am really grateful for this chance that I've got.'

The filmmaker's words paint a portrait of an artist for whom music is not a profession but a compulsion — a quality that, according to Ali, is visible in every single collaboration.

A Personal Favourite: 'Aazma Le'

Ali also took a nostalgic turn, singling out a song he considers deeply underappreciated. He urged audiences: 'Mere liye ek waisa gaana hai… 'Aazma Le'. Agar kisi ne woh gaana nichoda nahi hai, nichod ke piya nahi hai, toh mera yeh intaza hai ki please aap woh gaana sune.' (For me, there's one such song — 'Aazma Le.' If someone hasn't truly absorbed that song and savoured every bit of it, then I would request them to please listen to it.)

The song, from the 2006 film Taxi No. 9211, was sung by Shekhar Ravjiani. Ali described it simply as a 'beautiful song' — a quiet, personal recommendation from a filmmaker who has spent years inside Rahman's creative universe.

With their fifth collaboration now underway, the Imtiaz Ali–AR Rahman partnership shows no signs of slowing down, and if Ali's account is any measure, neither does Rahman himself.