More than mama', Rahman is my guru': Kaashif Rafiq

A.H.Kaashif, nephew of Oscar winner AR Rahman, is making his debut as music composer in Jyothika starrer Kaatrin Mozhi, which is a remake of B’town hit Tumhari Sulu. Kaashif says that more than his uncle and nephew, he shared a guru-sishya relationship with Rahman. 

“I started learning music from a very young age. I did my ‘internship’ in music with my uncle and had worked with him in many films. Later, I did music independently and uploaded my albums on Youtube when producer Dhananjeyan sir saw them an approached me for KM,” is how Kaashif begins the conversation.

He says that he knew the challenge involved was people would compare his music with the original. “I just listened to the original sound track only once. However, I want to go with the flow of Radha Mohan sir’s narration and his sensibilities. As far as BGM is concerned, the first half was relatively easy. The latter part is full of emotions and hence I am taking time to deliver quality music.”

After completing the songs, including ‘Dirty Pondatti’, ‘Kilambittale Vijayalakshmi’, I played first to my grandma and then to AR Rahman. “More than my mama, ARR is my mentor as I studied in his school. It is enough that I just follow his footsteps. It was an enriching experience working with my guru.” Jyothika is said to have heaped praise on Kaashif’s songs.