<p>Music maestro A R Rahman, who is making his debut as a producer and co-writer with film <em>99 Songs</em>, on Saturday said it was his frequent collaborator, filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who inspired him to explore his artistic side as a storyteller. </p>.<p>The musical drama movie is a story about art and self-discovery of a struggling singer who wants to be a successful music composer.</p>.<p>Directed by debutant Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, <em>99 Songs</em> stars newcomers Ehan Bhat, Edilsy Varghese and Tenzin Dalha, an Indian actor of Tibetan origin, in lead roles.</p>.<p>Rahman, who has also co-written the movie, recalled the time when Ratnam told him how telling a film's story and making a song have a common process.</p>.<p>"Mani Ratnam once said to me that when you know how to make a movie, it’s like how you make a song. You’ve the introduction, the theme of the song, the tune and then you do the background music. Then comes the antara and you’ve a journey that eventually comes to an end beautifully," the music director said in a statement.</p>.<p>"He said that the process is like a story and it just struck me how nice it is to speak in your own language about another art such as story writing. That inspired me," he added.</p>.<p>The Oscar-winner has scored music for several films of Ratnam, including <em>Roja</em>, <em>Bombay</em>,<em> Dil Se</em>, <em>O Kadhal Kanman</em>i, <em>Guru </em>and <em>Thiruda Thiruda</em>. </p>.<p><em>99 Songs</em> also features actors Lisa Ray, Manisha Koirala, Aditya Seal, composer-drummer Ranjit Barot and Indian Ocean's Rahul Ram in supporting roles.</p>.<p>Rahman has also created the music for the movie, which he has produced via his banner YM Movies alongside Ideal Entertainment. </p>.<p>Presented by Jio Studios, the film will arrive in theatres on April 16. </p>
<p>Music maestro A R Rahman, who is making his debut as a producer and co-writer with film <em>99 Songs</em>, on Saturday said it was his frequent collaborator, filmmaker Mani Ratnam, who inspired him to explore his artistic side as a storyteller. </p>.<p>The musical drama movie is a story about art and self-discovery of a struggling singer who wants to be a successful music composer.</p>.<p>Directed by debutant Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, <em>99 Songs</em> stars newcomers Ehan Bhat, Edilsy Varghese and Tenzin Dalha, an Indian actor of Tibetan origin, in lead roles.</p>.<p>Rahman, who has also co-written the movie, recalled the time when Ratnam told him how telling a film's story and making a song have a common process.</p>.<p>"Mani Ratnam once said to me that when you know how to make a movie, it’s like how you make a song. You’ve the introduction, the theme of the song, the tune and then you do the background music. Then comes the antara and you’ve a journey that eventually comes to an end beautifully," the music director said in a statement.</p>.<p>"He said that the process is like a story and it just struck me how nice it is to speak in your own language about another art such as story writing. That inspired me," he added.</p>.<p>The Oscar-winner has scored music for several films of Ratnam, including <em>Roja</em>, <em>Bombay</em>,<em> Dil Se</em>, <em>O Kadhal Kanman</em>i, <em>Guru </em>and <em>Thiruda Thiruda</em>. </p>.<p><em>99 Songs</em> also features actors Lisa Ray, Manisha Koirala, Aditya Seal, composer-drummer Ranjit Barot and Indian Ocean's Rahul Ram in supporting roles.</p>.<p>Rahman has also created the music for the movie, which he has produced via his banner YM Movies alongside Ideal Entertainment. </p>.<p>Presented by Jio Studios, the film will arrive in theatres on April 16. </p>