'Rahman`s music changed my mind'

Wayne Sharpe has credited Rahman with opening his ears towards Indian music.

New Delhi: New York-based composer Wayne Sharpe, who has scored the background music for the movie `Lahore`, has credited maestro A R Rahman with opening his ears towards Indian music.

"I have been listening to Indian music for many years and I was influenced while I was in America. I was a big fan of AR Rahman and his first music score that I heard was `Taal` which really influenced me and changed things for me," said Sharpe. Beginning his Bollywood association with Prakash Jha`s `Gangaajal`, Sharpe has collaborated with Indian singers and musicians and that has changed his attitude towards music. "I love Ustad Sultan Khan as I have worked with him in `Gangaajal`. I had the opportunity of working with Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan as well. There are excellent artists in India who have affected my approach towards music," he said. The composer said that `Lahore`, a film set against the backdrop of kick-boxing was a challenge for him. "It is one of the most authentic Indian sports film as far as I know. I wanted to have a western sound to it to highlight the action and also had to keep the Indian audience in mind," said Sharpe. Since he does not understand the language, Sharpe composes the music with the help of the directors of the films he is working with. "The director of the film takes me through the whole film scene by scene and also gives me sub-titles," said Sharpe who is now looking forward to the release of the film directed by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan on March 19. PTI