AR Rahman, the Oscar-winning music composer, recently discussed his upcoming collaboration on the epic film Ramayana with director Nitesh Tiwari. Despite being a Muslim, Rahman emphasized that art and knowledge should transcend religious boundaries. In a conversation on the BBC Asian YouTube channel, he reflected on his early exposure to Indian epics, highlighting how he was raised with a familiarity for stories like Ramayana and Mahabharata.
“My education involved studying in a Brahmin school, where we celebrated these epics every year,” Rahman explained, underscoring that the core lessons of such stories extend beyond religious labels. He expressed a belief in the importance of moral values inherent in these epics, saying, “The story focuses on virtue and high principles. People can debate, but I cherish the good things from any knowledge.”
Rahman further articulated that society must overcome narrow-mindedness, stating, “We need to rise above narrow-mindedness and selfishness. When we do, we shine. Hans Zimmer is Jewish, I am Muslim, and Ramayana is Hindu. It originates from India and is meant to spread love to the entire world.”
Born into a Hindu family in Madras and originally named Dileep Kumar Rajagopala, Rahman converted to Islam in 1989.
The film Ramayana is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra. It features a notable cast, including Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as Ravana. The two-part project is set for a grand release during the Diwali festivals of 2026 and 2027, with a production budget exceeding Rs 4,000 crore. Additional cast members include Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman, Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana, Arun Govil as Dasharatha, and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha.
