Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman says he sees a lot of parallels between his life and that of Brazilian football legend Pele.
Oscar winning composer A.R. Rahman says he sees a lot of parallels between his life and that of Brazilian football legend Pele.
Rahman, who has scored music for a film on the former soccer player, says his father (also a music composer) went through something similar as that of Pele.
“I can see a lot of parallels in Pele. My father was helping all other people, but he died the same day he had his biggest release. When you watch the movie, his (Pele’s) father was an aspiring soccer player, but he could never make it,” Rahman said.
The 49-year-old composer was speaking at the trailer and music launch of Pele: Birth of a Legend. The Tamasha hitmaker said the story of Pele’s father is a lesson for aspiring dads to believe that their children will fulfil their dream.
“His seed of aspiration, his blessings made Pele a huge superstar. It is very similar to my story. It is actually a lesson for every aspiring father who never made it. The kids will make it. So be firm and believe in almighty.” Directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist, Pele: Birth of a Legend is an American biographical film that chronicles the life of the retired soccer player.
The film stars Kevin de Paula, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta and Colm Meaney.
Rahman has composed a song called Ginga for the movie which will celebrate Pele’s legacy in soccer. “Ginga is a style which Brazilians (soccer players) used to play but was criticised by the Europeans saying don’t use the style. But Pele went against that, used the style and won the World Cup. So I felt we can do a song using the word.” The film will release in May this year.
Rahman said he has tried to keep the music in the film a healthy mix of regional Brazilian sound with international sensibilities. “We were very careful not to go overboard. The song definitely doesn’t sound Indian, but gives the movie the energy that it needs. It’s not too regional but for the whole world,” he said.
Though he didn’t know Pele earlier, Rahman said composing for the film was a “huge honour” for him, despite the fact that he did not get much time to talk to him about the music. “It was a huge honour composing for him. Strangely, I am scoring for two-three films based on sportspersons this year, Pele, Sachin Tendulkar. It feels great,” he said.
“Pele saw the movie, I asked him if he liked the film and he said yes. We didn’t have much time to talk. He wasn’t involved in the creative aspects of the music though,” Rahman said.
Pele: Birth of a Legend is an American biographical film which chronicles the life of the retired soccer player. Rahman is also all praise for the director duo, Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist. “They are very nice people. They are very energetic, fresh out of college, completely young. They have done some award winning stuff and documentary. It was an interesting mix working in Hollywood,” he said.
The film stars Kevin de Paula, Vincent D’Onofrio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta and Colm Meaney.
