It was like watching Leonardo da Vinci compose a song: Director Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy on AR Rahman the writer

Describing composer AR Rahman's evolution as a writer, Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, the director of the upcoming film 99 Songs, said, "It was the equivalent of watching Leonardo da Vinci composing a song."

The Oscar-winning composer will make his debut as a screenwriter with the project, which features Ehan Bhatt and Edilsy Vargas.

Stating that the screenplay was not a bound script, Vishwesh said, "He is like every other writer. Ideas come to him in fragments. I was watching him grow in storytelling. There were a lot of ideas coming to him." 

The director added, "There was a time when he was trying to stuff all his ideas into his film. On a number of occasions, I would tell him, 'We are telling the same thing over in the story'." Sometimes you get attached to ideas for a short period, and you think you have written the best scene. Then, you go over it and think it's not worth it." 

"I saw him go through that. It was great. I had the courtside view of watching the equivalent view of Leonardo da Vinci composing a song. I kind of enjoyed it because there's no one way to write. I enjoyed it doing with someone who was not afraid to be wrong," he revealed. 

Hailing Rahman's creative hunger, Vishwesh said, "He is a tremendous example of how to continue to be creative. He could lean back and say 'I've done everything. I don't have to prove anything anymore'. But he doesn't. He immerses himself completely in stuff that isn't his forte, and then, becomes good at it."

In production since before 2019, 99 Songs is set to release in theatres on 16 April.