Music director A.R. Rahman, who gave splendid music in films like "Dil Se", "Saathiya", "Taal", "Swades" and "Rang De Basanti", says period movies give a music director an opportunity to learn and experiment.

"It also depends a lot on the director whether he wants the music of his movie according to the corresponding era or he is open to experimenting. Several musical instruments present today were absent in the past. But still we can use them for making music for a historical provided it sounds good," Rahman told IANS.

Rahman has plenty of international projects in his kitty, including Shekhar Kapur's "Elizabeth II" and "Lord Of The Rings Musical".

Excerpts from the interview:

What are your forthcoming releases?
Well, I am looking forward to Mani Ratnam's "Guru", as I have put in a lot of hard work in the project. Moreover, it is great working with Mani and Gulzar. We make a good team and are coming back together after a gap of two years.

With "Jodha Akbar" you add another period movie to your list. Any personal reasons for signing period movies?
Nothing like that. It's just that directors approach me with good projects.

How is it composing music for period movies?
Period movies give you a chance to learn and experiment. It also depends a lot on the director too - whether he wants the music of his movie according to the corresponding era or he is open to experimentation.

Several musical instruments present today were absent in the past. But still we can use them for making music for a historical provided it sounds good. For example - the music in "Moulin Rouge" used drums and it sounded good. But, as I said, a lot depends on the director.

It is heard that you have signed Bappi Lahiri to sing a song in "Guru"?
Yes, Bappi Lahiri has sung a song for "Guru". I heard him sing at an award function and asked him to sing for "Guru". Moreover, the song is a Bengali number and Bappi sounds good in it.

Is it true that you are a fan of new music sensation Himesh Reshammiya?
Yes, I like one of his songs. The one called "Aashiq banaya aapne".

Recently you composed music for several commercials. 
See, I started my career composing for commercials and then moved on to films. Now I am back again composing music for commercials. So I think my life has come full circle.

What is more challenging - composing for commercials or films?
For me it is equally challenging because it takes the same amount of dedication, energy and time.

You were famous for your weird working hours - from midnight till morning. Are you still continuing the same?
(laughs...) Ya, I am very much the same with the same working hours.

So when do you sleep? 
I sleep from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon.

Tell us about your international projects?
I would be working on Shekar Kapur's "Elizabeth II", "Lord Of The Rings Musical" and there are plans to collaborate with a very big international guitarist whose name I cannot divulge right now.

Are you happy with the state of music in India?
In India, people just listen to film music. I think that attitude needs to be changed. We should be open to all forms of music.

Any dream project? 
I don't have any dream project. Even the little success I have till now seems like a dream to me.