New Delhi: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman is making headlines by reviving the voices of two deceased singers, Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed. In Rajinikanth’s upcoming film ‘Lal Salaam,’ Rahman used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recreate their voices for the song ‘Thimiri Yezhuda.’ The musician obtained permission from their families and sent remuneration, sparking a divided response on the Internet.
AR Rahman is expecting the release of ‘Lal Salaam,’ directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, scheduled for theatres on February 9.
Known for his experimental approach, Rahman used AI to bring back the voices of the late Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the film. Using AI voice models, he successfully resurrected their voices.
The composer wrote, “We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms…technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia (sic).”
We took permission from their families and sent deserving remuneration for using their voice algorithms ..technology is not a threat and a nuisance if we use it right…#respect #nostalgia 🙏 https://t.co/X2TpRoGT3l
— A.R.Rahman (@arrahman) January 29, 2024
Here’s the song:
Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed closely worked with AR Rahman, contributing to several blockbuster songs. Shahul Hameed met with a fatal car crash in 1997, while Bamba Bakya passed away due to a cardiac arrest in 2022.