AR Rahman On ‘Ramayana’ Music Backlash: ‘People Criticise And Then Apologise’

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has addressed the mixed reactions to the music of Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, saying that some people who initially criticised the songs later apologised. The composer said he remains focused on his creative process rather than online criticism.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Rahman explained that the extensive process of developing and refining music leaves him with little time or energy to follow social media reactions.

“We do so much work, filtration, ideation, and iteration that there's no energy left to look at feedback!” he said, adding that his son occasionally updates him about the changing public response.

Discussing the reaction to Ravana Tandav, which initially faced criticism before receiving more positive responses from some listeners, Rahman said he prefers to focus on the sincerity of his work and hopes audiences eventually celebrate it.

The composer also spoke about the responsibility of working on Ramayana at this stage of his career. With the epic familiar to audiences across India, he said the project offered an opportunity to explore new creative directions rather than rely on the success of his earlier work, including Rockstar and Slumdog Millionaire.

“You can't stagnate yourself ,you have to be like a flowing river,” Rahman said, describing the project as both an honour and a significant responsibility.

The film’s soundtrack has recently come under renewed scrutiny following the release of Mangal Rang, featuring Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Some listeners have questioned its perceived qawwali influences and whether its musical style suits the epic’s setting, sparking debate across social media.

Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on November 5, 2026.