Throughout the years, Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has contributed some of the most memorable songs to Indian cinema and continues to do so. Nonetheless, in a recent discussion with BBC Asian Network, Rahman disclosed how changes in power dynamics within the Hindi film industry have influenced the projects he receives.
AR Rahman felt like an outsider until he worked on Subhash Ghai's film Taal.
Rahman revealed that as a Tamil composer in Bollywood, he felt like an outsider until Subhash Ghai's Taal was released. He stated, 'In reality, I was an outsider with my first three films (Roja, Bombay, Dil Se..), but Taal gained widespread popularity. It metaphorically reached every home. Even today, many North Indians still enjoy it because it incorporates elements of Punjabi, Hindi, and mountain music. For a Tamil individual, speaking Hindi is difficult due to our deep bond with our language.'
He remembered Subhash Ghai advising him to learn Hindi, which led him to study Urdu since it was the foundation of Hindi film music in the 1960s and '70s. The composer subsequently learned Arabic due to its phonetic similarities with Urdu, and later explored Punjabi, influenced by Sukhwinder Singh.
When questioned about experiencing bias in the Hindi film industry during the 1990s and any discrimination against the Tamil community in Bollywood, AR Rahman responded, “Perhaps I was unaware of it, maybe it was hidden by divine intervention, but I didn’t perceive any of it. In the last eight years, possibly, due to a shift in power where non-creative individuals hold authority now. It could be a communal issue as well… but it’s not overt. I hear through the grapevine that they initially booked me, but the music company opted for their five composers instead. I think it’s fine, as it gives me more time to relax with my family. I am not actively seeking work. I prefer work to come to me, driven by my sincerity. I receive what I am meant to have.”
The forthcoming music by AR Rahman
The soundtrack for Vijay Sethupathi's forthcoming movie, Gandhi Talks, has been composed by the musician. This silent drama, helmed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar and produced by Zee Studios in collaboration with Kyoorius and Moviemill, features Arvind Swamy, Aditi Rao Hydari, and Siddharth Jadhav in significant roles. The film is set to hit theaters on January 30.
In addition, AR Rahman is working on Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, where he has teamed up with Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer. The movie features Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Sunny Deol, and Yash in leading roles and is scheduled for a theatrical release on Diwali 2026.
