In a ground-breaking move, A.R. Rahman announced on X that he employed Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revive the voices of two late legendary singers, Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed, for a song featured in the upcoming Tamil film “Lal Salaam.” Utilizing cutting-edge technology, Rahman applied innovative methods to resurrect the voices of Bakya and Hameed for the song “Thimiri Yezhuda.” This musical feat will be showcased in the Aishwarya Rajinikanth-directed film, where Rajinikanth is set to make an extended cameo appearance.
On Monday, the official handle of Sony Music South, a prominent music studio, declared on X that it was the inaugural occasion in the industry where the voice of a late legend had been revived. On Monday, Sony Music South’s official social media account posted on X, “This signifies a groundbreaking moment in the industry, as it marks the first instance of resurrecting the voice of a late legend.”
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
Responding to the studio’s post, Rahman mentioned that his team had obtained permission from the families of Bakya and Hameed before embarking on the task of recreating their voices for the song. “We obtained consent from their families and provided appropriate compensation for utilizing their voice algorithms. Technology becomes a boon, not a threat or nuisance when used responsibly. #respect #nostalgia,” Rahman posted on X, referencing Sony Music South’s acknowledgment of the use of an AI tool to recreate the voices of the legendary singers.
On the microblogging site, fans expressed their reactions to Rahman’s explanation. One fan applauded, “While the internet may be divided on this, kudos to @arrahman! The nostalgic experience of hearing someone’s voice who’s no longer with us is a gift to the families, thanks to technology. Looking forward to hearing Swarnalatha’s and SPB’s voices in the future.” Another fan praised, “You are truly a gem, dearest Thalaivaaa. No one can envision or accomplish something like this except for you.”
While Rahman’s announcement garnered mixed reactions, some users criticized the move, deeming it disrespectful and expressing concerns about limiting opportunities for emerging talents in the industry. One user commented, “Sir, utilizing someone’s voice without their consent raises ethical questions about ownership and consent. You can aim higher because you know better.” Another user expressed, “This approach diminishes opportunities for other singers and paves the way for AI dominance. It’s puzzling why he fails to grasp this.”
Bamba Bakya and Shahul Hameed, long-time collaborators with Rahman, played pivotal roles in creating numerous chart-topping hits. In his latest contribution, Bamba Bakya lent his voice to the song “Ponni Nadhi” from “Ponniyin Selvan: Part I.” Meanwhile, Shahul Hameed is remembered for the iconic “Urvasi Urvasi” track from “Kadhalan” (1994). Tragically, Shahul Hameed met with a fatal car crash in 1997, while Bamba Bakya passed away due to a cardiac arrest in 2022.
Directed by Aishwarya Rajnikanth, the film “Lal Salaam,” starring Rajinikanth along with Vishnu Vishal and Vikranth, is set to hit the screens on February 9.
