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Renowned composer AR Rahman recently employed artificial intelligence (AI) to recreate the voices of popular late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the song ‘Thimiri Yezhuda‘ in Rajinikanth’s next movie, ‘Lal Salaam.’ Accordingly, this attempt stirred diverse reactions on the internet, with some applauding Rahman’s adaptation to technological advancements, while others criticized it as “disrespectful” and “morally unethical.”
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In response to these wide criticisms, Rahman has now clarified that he obtained permission from the families of the late singers and also provided them with remuneration. The Oscar-winning composer took to social media platform X and shared a post by Sony Music South on the use of an AI tool to recreate the singers’ voices. In the caption, he mentioned, “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.”
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Singer Bamba Bakya passed away in 2022 when she was 41 as a result of a cardiac arrest, while Shahul Hameed passed away at the age of 44 in a car accident in 1997 near Chennai. While Rahman received appreciation from some for getting permission and compensating the families of the late singers, others criticized the move as “unethical.” One user expressed appreciation, stating, “The Internet may be divided about this, but kudos to @arrahman! The nostalgia of listening to someone’s voice who’s no longer with us is, by itself, a gift to the families & thanks to technology. Would love to hear Swarnalatha’s and SPB’s voices in future”.
However, a contrasting view was presented by another user, saying, “This sets a dangerous precedent, especially coming from someone like you. And what’s with the ‘nostalgia’ hashtag? If we want nostalgia, we would go and listen to their existing songs, not make some AI-assisted stuff.” Critics raised concerns about the potential impact on opportunities for other singers and the increasing role of AI in the industry. Rahman’s response ignited a discussion on ethical considerations and the evolving role of technology in the field of music. The film ‘Lal Salaam,’ directed by Aishwaryaa Rajinikanth, is scheduled for release on February 9, 2024, and falls under the sports action drama genre, with Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth in lead roles and Rajinikanth playing an extended cameo.
