A. R. Ameen Interview

My dad has been very
supportive of me: A. R. Ameen
When you are the son of an Oscar-winning composer

coming out with your first single, expectations are
bound to be sky-high. But A. R. Ameen, the son
of A. R. Rahman, says that the support from his
family is helping him handle the enormous
pressure. In an exclusive interview with us, the
teenager, who is doing his Class 11, opens up
about Sago, his first single, following in the
footsteps of his illustrious father, his favourite
musicians and more...
Since you are from a musical family,

is music something that became an automatic
choice for you? Or, is there a particular moment
when you decided that you wanted to be a
musician?
I wouldn’t say it was an automatic choice but it was

a gradual process. Growing up, I used to learn
music, but I think I really got into it only at a later
stage in life. I think it was when I started to tag
along with my dad for all of his concert tours over
here and abroad. I slowly started singing and when
KM Music Conservatory opened, there was an
inaugural show where I got to perform for the first
time. It was then that it really hit me. It was a lot
of fun and I wanted to perform and sing a lot more
post that. That is when I started to take my music
seriously and started learning towards that, and
that’s when it really changed for me.
How do you manage both school and music?
I am in Class 11 right now. When it comes to

balancing, when I am not at school, I pretty much
do only music. This is a stage where I get to learn
and get ahead with my music and what’s really good
is that there are so many talented people around
me who are really good at what they do.
Do you discuss music with your dad?
Yes, I do. Every time I come across a new and

interesting song or artiste, I share it with him. He
shares the new music that he comes across with me
often, and we talk about production and the kind
of music that is out there. It’s a very enriching
experience for me personally because I get to learn
so much from these discussions and there are so
many takeaways.
Apart from music, what are the other stuff over

which you bond with your dad?
Oh, we bond over movies, gadgets, and both of us

are really into photography in our own ways. We
love musicals! We connect a lot over how
compositions play a role in these musicals. When it
comes to photography, there are technical stuff
that we discuss, like depth of field and the likes.
Although, it is generally more about how we tend
to notice everyday life perspectives when we are
looking to capture something. Besides that, we
bond over travelling together a lot as well. I
remember having the most fun when we went to
Paris with family. It’s always with the family.
Given your musical lineage, what made you

decide to make your debut with a single rather
than through a film?
I started singing for dad and other composers and

opening up generally while also working on my
music in parallel. So, that’s when I was approached
for featuring in the second season of Madras Gig, so
I thought why not? It was an exciting opportunity.
What is Sago all about?
Sago is all about friendship. I have a good bunch of

friends who really support and encourage me at
what I do. So, I wanted this song to be about the
spirit of friendship. Speaking of which, my friend,
Arijith, helped out a lot with this music video on
how to express myself better.
You have previously worked with your father for

Maula and Pullinangal. How different was this
experience, given that you have also produced
the music along with him?
It was a lot of fun. He really gave me the freedom
and space I needed to bring in my ideas on to the
table and he guided my ideas into place. I
remember trying out a bunch of these new sounds
and wanted to bring in some new elements to the
track and I was quite apprehensive of what my dad
would think about it, but turns out, he loved it! It
was a relief and sort of boosted my confidence, I
guess.
How has your family responded to the song since

you are also featuring in it?
They all love it! My parents, uncle aunts, all of them

have been a huge support. My grandmother
especially loved my voice. She said it sounded very
different from what it normally sounds like and my
mum is the most excited about this.
I hear you are extremely shy. So, how was the

experience in front of the camera? How did you
pull it off?
When you have so many people working really hard

to make this song big, I thought it was important
that I give it my everything. Amith, who’s the
director, also did a lot in making me comfortable in
front of the camera and got out the best from me.
I hope everyone likes the video.
So, any plans of becoming an actor as well?
I don’t know! Right now, music is the only thing on

my mind.
Being A. R. Rahman’s son, how are you handling

the pressure? Do you worry about comparisons
with your dad?
My dad has been very supportive of me during the

entire process. I was quite nervous during the
production of this song because dad had composed
this track and wanted me to produce the song along
with him. It made me pretty nervous. He kept
telling me to be myself throughout. That was the
simplest yet important tip he gave me. He said this
could be my identity, so all I needed to do was be
myself, and get my ideas out without worrying
about how it is going to sound.
Apart from music, what else are you into?
I love photography since there is so much

experimentation involved. I am also into fashion!
Fashion? Is this an influence from your mom? How
has she has shaped you up, especially because
your dad is a globetrotter?
Actually, I got my affinity to fashion from my dad.

Honestly, it’s always felt like my dad and mum have
been around whenever I needed them. Since most
of dad’s travels involved us going along with him, it
never felt like he was away.
What kind of music do you usually listen to? Your

favourite musicians, apart from your dad...?
I listen to everything there is! From the top of my

head, I love Ed Sheeran, Post Malone, Justin Bieber,
Yuvan Shankar Raja, Anirudh, Kanye West and many
more! I do listen to older music also. I love Michael
Jackson and he is a huge influence.

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My dad has been very

supportive of me: A. R. Ameen

When you are the son of an Oscar-winning composer

Since you are from a musical family,

I wouldn’t say it was an automatic choice but it was

How do you manage both school and music?

I am in Class 11 right now. When it comes to

Do you discuss music with your dad?

Yes, I do. Every time I come across a new and

Apart from music, what are the other stuff over

Oh, we bond over movies, gadgets, and both of us

Given your musical lineage, what made you

I started singing for dad and other composers and

What is Sago all about?

Sago is all about friendship. I have a good bunch of

You have previously worked with your father for

How has your family responded to the song since

They all love it! My parents, uncle aunts, all of them

I hear you are extremely shy. So, how was the

When you have so many people working really hard

So, any plans of becoming an actor as well?

I don’t know! Right now, music is the only thing on

Being A. R. Rahman’s son, how are you handling

My dad has been very supportive of me during the

Apart from music, what else are you into?

I love photography since there is so much

Actually, I got my affinity to fashion from my dad.

What kind of music do you usually listen to? Your

I listen to everything there is! From the top of my

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