All posts tagged: AR Rahman

Imtiaz Ali was ‘jokingly’ asked how he got admission in Hindu College as a Muslim | Bollywood News

Imtiaz Ali was ‘jokingly’ asked how he got admission in Hindu College as a Muslim | Bollywood News

A massive controversy rocked Bollywood earlier this year after Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman alleged that he had been receiving less work from Hindi cinema over the past eight years and opined that the reason could be “communal.” While many, including industry insiders, were quick to audit and dismiss what Rahman shared from his personal experience, only a few pondered whether his statement carried weight. During a recent interview, renowned filmmaker Imtiaz Ali opened up about the communal dynamics in Bollywood and whether he has had any similar experiences. Attesting that he has never faced any discrimination on the grounds of his religion, even in the industry, Imtiaz further maintained that he isn’t the representative of any community. Must Read | Imtiaz Ali’s Main Vaapas Aaunga chronicles a country in danger of forgetting itself During the conversation, the director, an alumnus of Hindu College in New Delhi, recalled a time he faced ragging as a student when a senior asked him how he, as a Muslim, secured admission at a college with “Hindu” in its name. …

‘Kun Faya Kun’ draws from the Quran and Rigveda, says Imtiaz Ali: ‘It was too powerful’ | Bollywood News

‘Kun Faya Kun’ draws from the Quran and Rigveda, says Imtiaz Ali: ‘It was too powerful’ | Bollywood News

3 min readMumbaiJun 13, 2026 03:11 PM IST One of the most defining moments in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar comes during the rendition of ‘Kun Faya Kun’, when Ranbir Kapoor’s character, Jordan, appears to slip into a trance-like state while immersed in the music. The scene remains etched in the memories of audiences even today, much like the song itself, which is widely regarded as one of AR Rahman’s most remarkable compositions. Recently, Imtiaz Ali opened up about the making of ‘Kun Faya Kun’, revealing that the song draws inspiration from multiple religious and philosophical texts, including the Rigveda and the Quran. ‘There is the Rigveda, there is the Quran Sharif’ Speaking to Times Now, the filmmaker said, “For something like that, I can’t take the credit. That is AR Rahman. That is Irshad Kamil. That is all of that. And also, there is the Rigveda, there is the Quran Sharif, there is the Bhagavad Gita, all of that is written into it. Do you know that? The line ‘Jab kahin bhi, kuch nahin, bhi nahin …

Pakistani fan travels 20 km to catch a glimpse of Imtiaz Ali and AR Rahman at Wagah Border: ‘Art had won’

Pakistani fan travels 20 km to catch a glimpse of Imtiaz Ali and AR Rahman at Wagah Border: ‘Art had won’

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is currently busy promoting his upcoming film Main Vaapas Aaunga. The film, which also stars Diljit Dosanjh and Vedang Raina, is set against the backdrop of the 1947 Partition. Recently, to promote the film, Imtiaz visited the Attari-Wagah Border in Punjab along with the film’s music composer AR Rahman. AR Rahman and Imtiaz Ali during the film promotion of Main Vaapas Aaunga at the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar. (ANI/Photo) (Raminder Pal Singh) Pakistani fan rushes to see Imtiaz, Rahman The event was titled Jai Ho – A Musical Salute to the Bravehearts and featured Rahman’s first-ever live performance at the border during the Beating Retreat Ceremony. However, it wasn’t just Indians at the border who flocked to see Rahman and Imtiaz. Pakistani fans also documented on social media how they travelled to the border to catch a glimpse of the filmmaker and the celebrated music composer. A Pakistani fan shared his experience on Instagram. He wrote, “As most Lahori lives 20km from India. So do I. On a Sunday afternoon, those 20km …

Diljit Dosanjh, AR Rahman collab for special song dedicated to refugees, will play during Main Vaapas Aaunga end credits

Diljit Dosanjh, AR Rahman collab for special song dedicated to refugees, will play during Main Vaapas Aaunga end credits

The makers of Main Vaapas Aaunga on Wednesday dropped a special version of the song Kya Kamaal Hai, which pays a tribute to refugees around the world forced to leave their homes. Diljit Dosanjh on the poster of the song. The video, featuring the movie’s lead star Diljit Dosanjh, will play during end credits of the film, which is set to be released in theatres on Friday. The video is an ode to the lives of displaced people, acknowledging their pain and loss while celebrating their resilience and the spirit of humanity that keeps them going, a press release said. Dosanjh, who is currently on his AURA Tour, specially took time out to shoot the video as a tribute to the spirit of the film. Kya Kamaal Hai brings together Dosanjh, filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, composer AR Rahman, and lyricist Irshad Kamil. “‘If I had a choice between death and leaving my home, I would have gladly chosen death. Unfortunately, I did not have such a choice.’ This is a quote from an anonymous refugee in …

AR Rahman to perform at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab today | Bollywood News

AR Rahman to perform at the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab today | Bollywood News

3 min readUpdated: Jun 7, 2026 10:17 AM IST The heavily guarded Attari border, synonymous with the military pageantry of the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Joint Check Post (JCP) Stadium, will resonate with the songs of Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman today (June 7) as he performs at a special tribute concert titled “Jai Ho – A Tribute to the Bravehearts.” An ode to the BSF (Border Security Force) jawans, the concert, which will take place between 4.30 and 5.30 pm near Amritsar, is also a promotional event for director Imtiaz Ali’s upcoming film Mai Vaapas Aaunga — a Partition saga starring Naseeruddin Shah, Diljit Dosanjh, Vedang Raina and Sharvari Wagh, among others. AR Rahman’s compositions in the film, which is slated for release on June 12, are already finding much attention on social media. Ali announced on social media that this is also Rahman’s first trip to Punjab. While Raina and Wagh will be present, the singers from the film, including Mohit Chauhan, Nilanjana Ghosh Dastidar and Pooja Tiwari, among others, are likely to …

AR Rahman was sceptical of how well Ram Charan could play Peddi in some scenes: ‘Even that whole kissing scene…’

AR Rahman was sceptical of how well Ram Charan could play Peddi in some scenes: ‘Even that whole kissing scene…’

Buchi Babu Sana’s Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor-starrer Peddi premiered on June 3 and is releasing in theatres on June 4. The sports drama, which shows Ram in the titular role, received high praise from music composer AR Rahman. Not only did he compare Buchi to Shankar, but he also claimed that he was sceptical about Ram’s performance till he blew him away. Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor play the leads in Buchi Babu Sana’s Peddi. (AFP) AR Rahman says he wondered how Ram Charan would play Peddi Rahman shot a promotional video with Buchi ahead of Peddi’s release, where he spoke about the film and its music. He got candid about how he was sceptical about Ram’s performance in some scenes in Peddi. Stating that he won him over, he said, “The way Ram Charan transformed into this character. To make a fictional character look so real in soul and spirit…that was stunning for me.” He also revealed that he was sceptical but won over, even by a kissing scene. “Some of the scenes …

Have you heard? Leaked video of Ahaan, Sharvari`s UK shoot goes viral

Have you heard? Leaked video of Ahaan, Sharvari`s UK shoot goes viral

A story that talks to the soul A still from ‘Masoom’ More than four decades after Masoom (1983) tugged at heartstrings, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur is revisiting the world with Masoom: The New Generation. Reuniting with composer AR Rahman, Shekhar is giving the beloved story a contemporary spin, with Rahman not only composing the music but also stepping in as co-producer. Shekhar Kapur “The themes of Masoom deserved to be revisited through the lens of today’s world,” said the filmmaker, adding that Rahman’s music “speaks directly to the soul of a story”. The musician appears equally excited about the collaboration, calling the project “exciting and necessary”. AR Rahman With Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur on board, the film is eyeing a 2026 theatrical release. London streets are calling Ahaan Panday, Sharvari and Ali Abbas Zafar Ahaan Panday and Sharvari have barely begun shooting, but the internet is already invested. The duo is currently filming an untitled action entertainer directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, and a leaked video from the UK …

Ram Charan’s Peddi earns 0K in North America advance sales; tickets prices in India shoot up | Telugu News

Ram Charan’s Peddi earns $620K in North America advance sales; tickets prices in India shoot up | Telugu News

3 min readHyderabadMay 29, 2026 06:01 PM IST Ram Charan’s most anticipated release of the year, Peddi,  is days away from the release, and the team handling its North American rollout has a clear message for fans: the window is closed for premium shows, and it is time to book what is available. PrathyangiraUS, the US distributor for Peddi, put out a statement addressing the growing wait among fans for more Premium Large Format shows ahead of the June 3 premieres. The distributor did not mince words. The PLF shows currently listed are the final count, and no additional screens will be coming. Premium shows refer to specialized movie theater auditoriums which are designed to deliver an immersive cinematic experience and feature curved screens, state-of-the-art 4K laser projection and multidimensional surround sound. Peddi’s premiere dates put it in direct competition with major Hollywood releases that have already locked up most premium screens across the US. “Every release date comes with its own challenges,” the statement read. “PEDDI premieres are arriving at a time when major …

AR Rahman says composer Hans Zimmer’s name alone will make non-Indians watch Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana

AR Rahman says composer Hans Zimmer’s name alone will make non-Indians watch Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana

Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana is one of the most talked-about projects in recent times. The film is reportedly being made on a staggering combined budget of ₹4,000 crore ($500 million), making it the most expensive Indian film ever produced. The film is also marking the iconic collaboration of two legends — composers AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer, the two-time Academy Award-winning German composer. Recently, Rahman spoke about this collaboration. AR Rahman and Hans Zimmer have collaborated for Ramayana. AR Rahman on collaborating with Hans Zimmer Speaking to Faridoon Shahryar, Rahman said, “I think it’s an epic collaboration. That too, to do a film which is our own, from our country and culture. Bringing him as almost like an ambassador to the world, to non-Indians. His name is going to make many people watch the movie definitely. At least a certain section is going to watch what has Hans Zimmer done in an Indian movie.” Rahman admitted that Zimmer has set a benchmark while inspiring generations of musicians and called working with him “a great …

‘He thinks so differently’: AR Rahman on ‘epic’ collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana | Bollywood News

‘He thinks so differently’: AR Rahman on ‘epic’ collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana | Bollywood News

3 min readNew DelhiMay 24, 2026 04:39 PM IST Ever since the teaser of Ramayana dropped, anticipation around Nitesh Tiwari’s mythological epic has been steadily building online. Headlined by Ranbir Kapoor, the two-part film is being positioned as one of the most ambitious and expensive projects ever mounted in Indian cinema, with reports pegging its budget at nearly Rs 4,000 crore. Adding to the scale of the project, AR Rahman has teamed up with legendary German composer Hans Zimmer for the soundtrack. In a recent interview, Rahman described their collaboration as “epic” and called Ramayana the biggest film of his career. During a chat with Faridoon Shahryar, Rahman was asked about his experience of working with composer Zimmer, who has won two Academy Awards and four Grammys in his career. “I think it’s an epic collaboration. That too, to do a film which is our own, from our country and culture. Bringing him as almost like an ambassador to the world, to non-Indians. His name is going to make many people watch the movie definitely. …