AR Rahman, the renowned composer, recently utilized Artificial Intelligence (AI) to recreate the voices of late singers Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed for the song “Thimiri Yezhuda” in Rajinikanth’s Lal Salaam. The move sparked mixed reactions among fans and the public, with some expressing admiration and others raising concerns about ethical considerations and opportunities for emerging talents.
In response to the varied opinions, Rahman took to his X account on Tuesday to provide a clarification. He shared a post from Sony Music South, emphasizing the use of AI to recreate the voices of the late singers. In the caption, Rahman stated, “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…” He concluded the post with the hashtags respect and nostalgia.
Bamba Bakya, who collaborated with Rahman on numerous songs, passed away in 2022 due to a cardiac arrest. Shahul Hameed, another talented singer, met an unfortunate end in a car crash in 1997 near Chennai.
While some fans applauded Rahman for the innovative use of technology, others raised concerns about consent, ethical considerations, and the impact on opportunities for emerging singers in the industry. Rahman’s clarification acknowledged that permission was obtained from the families of the legendary singers, and they were duly compensated for the use of their voice algorithms.
Fans on social media expressed diverse views. Some commended Rahman for preserving the nostalgia of listening to the voices of departed artists, while others questioned the potential consequences and ethical implications of using AI in this manner.
