The symphony of sports in cinema has found a new crescendo in the upcoming Ajay Devgn-starrer ‘Maidaan’ with musical maestro AR Rahman and talented producer-singer Nakul Abhyankar joining forces. The duo has created an anthem that aims to capture the essence of a nation’s heartbeat, ‘Team India hai hum’. The sound, an intricate blend of inspiration and celebration, reflects the alternating rhythm of sports, mirroring aggression, excitement, tension, and sorrow within the span of a riveting seven minutes.
Abhyankar revisits his creative exchanges with Rahman, detailing the genesis of their latest masterwork. “Rahman sir expressed his desire for a number that moved people, one that was ‘dancy’ but unconventional—a powerful anthem reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s style,” explains Abhyankar. Together they sculpted an idea, with Abhyankar layering a groove onto an already existing melody, infusing the energy of a stadium with resonant stomps and claps. Their harmonious union went further, seeing Abhyankar lend his voice to the track, an element Rahman chose to preserve in the final cut.
In an industry brimming with sports films, novelty becomes a challenge. Abhyankar uncovers Rahman’s intuitive approach to music-making which maintains authenticity and freshness. “Rahman sir excels in capturing a situation’s core and crafts a musical idea that feels just right,” says Abhyankar. For ‘Maidaan’, this translated into a powerful hook buoyed by layers of collective voices, reminiscent of a chorus rising from a stadium, reinforcing a sense of shared triumph and perseverance.
Rahman’s originality in music stems from his relentless pursuit of perfection and a remarkable willingness to discard ideas for something superior. “While I am not privy to the volume of tunes Rahman sir might have devised, the iterations I did hear were a testament to his process of continuous evolution,” admits Abhyankar. This creative restlessness is seen as a hallmark of Rahman’s genius, culminating in a piece that holds the power to stir a country’s spirit.
Abhyankar also highlights the unique advantage he gains by voicing a song he produced. “Being in constant dialogue with the composer from the beginning provides me with deep insights into how the song should sound and the emotions it must convey,” he elaborates. This dual role empowers him to fine-tune production elements in a way that enhances the vocal performance, achieving a more cohesive and impactful sound.
Abhyankar’s experience goes beyond the song as he takes on producing the score for pivotal moments within ‘Maidaan’. The score’s production, especially for the climax, demands a delicate balance, aiming to not overshadow but instead amplify the on-screen events. “With the narrative at its lowest ebb, a medley of emotions must unfold musically within a brief seven-minute span, carrying the audience from despair to elation,” he describes.
In these crucial scenes, melodies alone won’t suffice; the music must complement the intensity and progression of the match. “It’s all about keeping multiple musical palettes alive without monopolizing the viewers’ attention. The score must elevate the visual experience, enriching the drama unfolding on-screen,” Abhyankar asserts.
‘Maidaan’ presents a sports saga that transcends the mere portrayal of matches, delving deep into the soul of the game and the country’s collective aspirations. With Nakul Abhyankar and AR Rahman at the helm, ‘Team India’ is more than just a song. It’s an enigmatic call to the spirit of determination, unity, and the indomitable will to triumph. As Devgn takes to the field in ‘Maidaan’, the melodies woven by Abhyankar and Rahman promise to resonate with a million voices, all echoing with the heartbeats of a nation as one.
