A.R. Rahman’s best albums include Roja, Bombay, Rangeela, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Swades, Rang De Basanti, Slumdog Millionaire and Rockstar. These soundtracks changed the sound of Indian film music, won him seven National Film Awards and two Oscars, and are still streamed widely more than three decades after his debut.
Born in Madras (now Chennai) on 6 January 1967, Rahman worked on advertising jingles and as a session musician before director Mani Ratnam signed him for Roja. Fans call him Isai Puyal, or Musical Storm. Here are ten albums that tell his story, in order of release. All are available on major music streaming apps in India.
- 1. Roja (1992)
- 2. Bombay (1995)
- 3. Rangeela (1995)
- 4. Dil Se.. (1998)
- 5. Taal (1999)
- 6. Lagaan (2001)
- 7. Swades (2004)
- 8. Rang De Basanti (2006)
- 9. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
- 10. Rockstar (2011)
- How to listen to Rahman's albums
- Rahman's major awards at a glance
- Beyond film soundtracks
- Frequently asked questions
1. Roja (1992)
Rahman’s first film score won him the National Film Award for Best Music Direction, a rare feat for a debut. Songs like Chinna Chinna Aasai, known in Hindi as Dil Hai Chhota Sa, used digital production and clean sound at a time when most film music was recorded very differently.
Also read10 Best Indian Web Series of All Time and Where to Watch Them
The Hindi dubbed version took his music to north India and set up his long partnership with Mani Ratnam. The two have since worked together on most of the director’s films, including Bombay, Dil Se, Guru and Ponniyin Selvan.
2. Bombay (1995)
Another Mani Ratnam film, Bombay gave us Tu Hi Re, Kehna Hi Kya and Humma Humma. The soundtrack is reported to have sold around 15 million copies worldwide. Its theme music is still one of the most recognised instrumental pieces in Indian cinema.
3. Rangeela (1995)
Ram Gopal Varma’s Rangeela was Rahman’s first original Hindi film score. Tanha Tanha, Yaai Re and the title song were playful and modern, matching Urmila Matondkar’s energetic performance. It showed Bollywood producers that he could deliver chartbusters for Hindi audiences.
4. Dil Se.. (1998)
Chaiyya Chaiyya, sung by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi with lyrics by Gulzar, is one of the most famous songs Rahman has made. It was filmed on top of a moving train with Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora. The album also includes Jiya Jale and Satrangi Re.
The title track, Dil Se Re, is less played on radio but is a favourite with listeners who like Rahman’s experimental side. The album is a good example of how he uses layered vocals and sparse percussion.
5. Taal (1999)
Subhash Ghai’s Taal was a musical film, and its songs drove its success. Taal Se Taal Mila, Ishq Bina and Ramta Jogi, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi, mixed folk, classical and electronic sounds. It remains one of his most popular Hindi albums.
6. Lagaan (2001)
Ashutosh Gowariker’s period film about villagers taking on the British in a cricket match needed music rooted in rural India. Rahman and lyricist Javed Akhtar delivered Ghanan Ghanan, Radha Kaise Na Jale and Mitwa. Lagaan was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and its music won Rahman a National Award.
7. Swades (2004)
Gowariker and Rahman teamed up again for this Shah Rukh Khan film about a NASA scientist who returns to his village. Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tera and Yun Hi Chala Chal are favourites with Indians living abroad. The background score was also widely praised.
8. Rang De Basanti (2006)
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s film about college students who turn against a corrupt system had lyrics by Prasoon Joshi. Masti Ki Paathshaala, Khalbali, Roobaroo and Luka Chuppi, a duet with Lata Mangeshkar, became youth anthems. The album won Rahman the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director.
9. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Danny Boyle’s film brought Rahman global fame. At the 2009 Academy Awards, he won Best Original Score and shared Best Original Song for Jai Ho with lyricist Gulzar. He also won the Golden Globe and the BAFTA for the score, and two Grammy Awards in 2010.
10. Rockstar (2011)
Imtiaz Ali’s film about a struggling singer, played by Ranbir Kapoor, needed rock, Sufi and folk music in one album. With lyrics by Irshad Kamil and vocals by Mohit Chauhan, songs like Kun Faya Kun, Sadda Haq and Nadaan Parindey became instant hits. Many fans rate it as his best Hindi album after 2010.
How to listen to Rahman’s albums
If you are new to his work, play the albums in the order listed above. You will hear him move from the synth-led sound of the early 1990s to the folk and orchestral textures of Lagaan and Swades, and then to the rock and Sufi mix of Rockstar.
Listen to the full albums rather than only the hit singles. Some of his best work sits in lesser-known tracks and instrumental pieces, such as the Bombay theme and the background score of Swades. Good headphones help, since his recordings use a lot of layered sound.
Rahman’s major awards at a glance
| Award | Year | For |
|---|---|---|
| National Film Award (first of seven) | 1993 | Roja |
| Padma Shri | 2000 | Contribution to music |
| Academy Awards (two) | 2009 | Slumdog Millionaire |
| Grammy Awards (two) | 2010 | Slumdog Millionaire |
| Padma Bhushan | 2010 | Contribution to music |
Beyond film soundtracks
Rahman’s 1997 non-film album Vande Mataram, released for the 50th anniversary of India’s independence, is one of the best-selling non-film albums in the country. Its version of Maa Tujhe Salaam is still played on Independence Day and at sporting events.
In 2008, he opened the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai to train young musicians. He continues to compose for Tamil, Hindi and international projects. For more on music and film personalities, see our people section, and for the latest film and music news, visit entertainment.
Frequently asked questions
Which is A.R. Rahman’s best album?
There is no single answer, but Roja, Bombay, Dil Se and Rockstar are named most often by fans and critics.
How many Oscars has A.R. Rahman won?
Two, both at the 2009 Academy Awards for Slumdog Millionaire: Best Original Score and Best Original Song for Jai Ho.
What was A.R. Rahman’s first film?
His first film as composer was Mani Ratnam’s Roja (1992), which won him the National Film Award for Best Music Direction.
How many National Film Awards has A.R. Rahman won?
Rahman has won seven National Film Awards, the first for Roja.
Sources: Wikipedia: A.R. Rahman, The 81st Academy Awards, Wikipedia: A.R. Rahman discography.
