Khatija Rahman interview: Halitha said she didn’t want people to hum the music of Minmini

3 months ago | 35 Views

Hailing from a family of famed musicians, it is no new thing for Khatija Rahman to maker her debut as composer. As she is all set for her upcoming release Minmini, Khatija opens up about her musical journey and destiny which paved way for it.

“So, I hear more scores, I have gotten intimidated by the presence of great composers and have not tried. But I did have a liking towards making music. My father had shifted to Dubai and worked with Expo 2020 when I too had shifted along with him. I had a liking towards orchestra and it was my first-hand experience. I really was drawn towards it, though I was intimidated. It was probably the first time when I had performed and ignited something in me. Then I went to Handsomer’s concert sometime in January 2023, and I did not even know God was prepping me up for this film. But something made me go there, and in February 2023, Minmini project came to me,” Khatija recalls.

Khatija Rahman interview

It was in February 2023 when Halitha and Khatija connected for working together in Minmini. “I had messaged her after watching Sillu Karupati, after which she had approached me with the idea to score music for this film. I was going for classes then, but I was not ready yet and overwhelmed. It took some time for me to make up my mind. Then I had reached out to her, and watched the film. Everyone had encouraged me. It might be a small film to the outside world, but I came onboard after watching it, and it is a huge film for me.”

Khatija shares that Halitha Shameem, the director of Minmini, shared Hollywood references for the film’s soundscape. “It was all the music that I loved and enjoyed listening to. In the process, I was learning a lot.” She further adds that string instruments like harp and violins were the main soundscape used for Minmini. “Once the major mood was set, I received further instructions from Halitha on the specifications needed. In fact, Halitha had to put up with my overthinking to get work off me.”

Sisterhood and Minmini

Having said that Khatija draws most of the inspiration from women in her family, the musician says, “When you are in touch with a feminine self, it is so beautiful. So, working with Halitha, was even more inspiring. The energy we share, and comfortable rapport, is something that I cherish. Now, when I am going to work with a male director, it is going to be different. I think it will be more professional and unlike the sisterhood I share here.

Speaking of Minmini, Khatija said that she has treated the film consistently. “For me, both the halves have their own soundscape. We have not made it thematic and Halitha cleared said that people should not be humming the music. She wanted something vague, and it was a different way of doing.”

Khatija concludes the conversation by talking about her dream of writing a book which would encompass her life and journey. “It would be called Autobiography of a Ninja,” she signs off with a laugh.