AR Rahman, the renowned composer, opens up about the challenges of maintaining his artistic integrity in the face of nostalgia and expectations. In a recent interview, he revealed that the pressure to live up to his earlier work, such as the iconic 'Roja' (1992), has been a constant battle. Despite his success, including two Oscar wins, Rahman feels the weight of comparison, where people gaslight him into believing his current work is not as good as his past creations.
The composer explains that the last six years have been a conscious effort to challenge this perception. He embarked on a journey of creating an extensive body of work, working on nearly 20 to 30 films, to prove his artistic growth and connect with a newer generation of listeners. This strategy, he admits, was a calculated move to break free from the nostalgia trap.
Rahman's approach to staying relevant and reinventing himself is a testament to his dedication to his craft. He emphasizes the importance of personal motivation over past accolades, stating that relying on past successes can be a burden. He believes in constantly evolving and dropping familiar creative formulas to stay fresh and inspired.
Looking ahead, Rahman's future projects are filled with exciting collaborations. He is set to co-compose the score and songs for Nitesh Tiwari's two-part adaptation of the Indian epic 'Ramayana,' which will be released in two parts, one this Diwali and the next. Additionally, he will reunite with longtime collaborators Imtiaz Ali and Mani Ratnam on their upcoming directorial ventures, further solidifying his status as a versatile and influential composer in the industry.
