Source: http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/dec/19sld7.htm
Here is an excerpt from the interview related to ARR Sunidhi: Right, and the music director has to know how to use it. Okay, Kunal now tell us about your first song with A R Rahman. Kunal: It was for the film Lakeer. I always wanted to sing with Rahmansaab. My dream to sing with Panchamda (the late RD Burman) will never be fulfilled. The day I got a call from his (Rahman's) office, I couldn't believe it. I thought someone was playing a joke. I jumped at the opportunity. When I went to the studio, that angelic man was sitting at the piano and asked me if I wanted to work that day! He said if you are tired, go to the hotel and we can record tomorrow. I was like, I have been waiting for this for so long, and said no, I want to work today and tomorrow! Rahmansaab said just listen to the tune today and live with it, I will finish off some other work. We will record it tomorrow. There were no words, just the tune. So that's how I learned. Now Sunidhi, you tell us about your experience with Rahmansaab. Sundhi: My first song was Saiyya pakad baiya for Nayak. What an experience! I went to the studio and waited. Around 3 am, Rahmansaab asked me to sing. I was singing the lines one by one. I thought I was rehearsing and we would record the song later. After about 20 minutes he said, Sunidhi, thank you, good night. I was like, but I haven't even recorded the song! He speaks very less, and that is kind of scary whether he liked the song or not. But actually, he was quite happy with it. I had gone with my father. I went out and told him that I didn't know if he liked the song because I didn't even sing it. I must have sung about eight lines. It was to be a duet. I thought he mustn't have liked it, and since he didn't want to hurt me, he just said it is okay. But when the song was released, and I heard it, it was unbelievable. Kunal: Isn't it? Thank you for happening to us Rahmansaab. The moment he says thank you to us, our hearts sink, and we look at him and say, you sure, sir? Sunidhi: Yes, exactly! Regards, Vinod Rajaram