Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman has opened up about the monumental responsibility and artistic vision behind scoring Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming cinematic epic, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend.
The ambitious project marks a rare and historic collaboration between Rahman and acclaimed Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, uniting two global musical icons to bring the ancient Indian epic to life.
A Rare Collaboration Years in the Making
Reflecting on his partnership with Hans Zimmer, Rahman revealed that the legendary Hollywood composer had initially invited him to work together nearly 15 years ago, shortly after Rahman’s Oscar victory for Slumdog Millionaire.
”He had actually invited me to work together 14–15 years ago, right after the Oscar, but back then I was in chill-out mode,” Rahman shared.
Explaining the strategic importance of Zimmer’s involvement, Rahman noted that the collaboration will help bridge cultural boundaries and spark curiosity among international cinephiles.
”If someone in New Zealand or Europe sees Hans Zimmer’s name, they will watch,” Rahman said. “If they just see Indian names, they might think it’s just another Indian movie, but they’ll be curious to see what he has done collaborating on this. It’s a great move by the producer.”
Describing the joint effort as a “blessing,” Rahman emphasized that the soundtrack aims to elevate how the film is perceived on the global stage.
Honoring an Epic Across Five Languages
Composing the soundtrack in five different languages presented both a creative honor and a profound cultural duty.
”Ramayana has come, and these songs are in five different languages. It’s an epic story almost every Indian knows,” Rahman said. “It’s such a great honor to do those songs and be part of that celebration with India and the world. It’s a huge honor and a big responsibility.”
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana: Rise of a Legend features a star-studded ensemble cast including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Ravie Dubey as Lakshman, and Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman. The first installment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, with the second part slated for Diwali 2027.
