New Delhi: Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayan is one of the most awaited releases of the year. Ever since the makers released the first look of the film set in 2025, the buzz about this magnum opus has intensified. One of the key elements that sets the film apart is its music, which is being composed by Oscar-winning maestro AR Rahman and Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer.
During a conversation on BBC Asian Network’s YouTube channel, Rahman was asked whether his religious beliefs influenced his approach to composing music for Ramayana. Responding to the question, the musician said, “I studied in a Brahmin school, and every year we had Ramayana and Mahabharata, so I know the story. It’s about how virtuous a person is, has high ideals, and all that. People can argue, but I value all good things – anything good that one can learn from.”
Rahman quoted a philosophical teaching, saying, “The Prophet said that knowledge is priceless, no matter where you get it from, king, beggar, good deed or bad. You cannot stay away from things.”
Add Zee News as favorite source
Rahman further said that he is extremely proud of the project as it represents India on the global stage.
He said, “I think we need to rise above small-mindedness and selfishness. When we lift ourselves up, we become brighter and that’s very important. I’m proud of this whole project because it’s from India to the whole world, made with a lot of love. Hans Zimmer is Jewish, I’m Muslim and the Ramayana is a Hindu scripture.”
AR Rahman on working with Hans Zimmer
Speaking about his experience of collaborating with Hans Zimmer, Rahman revealed that they have only done a few sessions together so far. Describing her creative process, she said, “It’s scary for both of us. We’re making something so iconic and so important to the world. In the promo, Hans created a soundscape, and I took that and added Sanskrit verses at the end. The complicated thing is that we’re working on such an epic thing – something every Indian knows – yet we have to give them something new.”
“We are trying to present something from India to the world,” he said.
The composer also shared that he had to unlearn certain tendencies to work on Ramayana.
Rahman said, “Our instinct often says, ‘Ramayana should be heard this way,’ but we also need to internalize the timeless quality inherent in the culture. It’s still a process. I’m working closely with Dr. Kumar Biswas, who is almost at professor level in terms of Ramayana and the Hindi language. Every fiber of his body speaks Ramayana. He writes lyrics effortlessly and is an incredibly kind person. We’re having a lot of fun, and all Feels like something new.”
Rahman described producer Namit Malhotra as “a boss and a kid at the same time”, noting that he is constantly excited to know what Rahman and Zimmer are discussing or creating.
about ramayana
Directed by Nitish Tiwari, Ramayan stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshman and Yash as Ravana. The film will be released in two parts, the first part will be released on Diwali 2026 and the second part will be released on Diwali 2027.