When AR Rahman broke all myths and misconceptions with his music for Rangeela

Acemy award winning music director AR Rahman celebrates his 57th birthday today. composer who me his debut with Mani Ratnam 1992 film Roja in 1992, went on to establish his dominance in Indian film music in coming dece with albums like Bombay, Khalan, Dil Se, Taal and Lagaan. However, it took Hindi film industry a couple of years to warm up to Rahman’s style. Infact, in Rahman’s early years in industry, despite Roja’s gigantic success in Hindi dub version as well, not many people were willing to sign Rahman in Hindi film industry. At such a time, one rising filmmaker put his money where his mouth was. film was Rangeela, and director was Ram Gopal Varma.

No Bollywood producer h signed Rahman

After Roja, which h multiple superhit songs, Rahman delivered popular albums like Bombay, Khalan and Thiruda Thiruda, all of which were dubbed in Hindi and released. albums of Bombay and Khalan (Hindi film title: Humse Hai Muqabla) found resounding success across country, in all segments of music-listeners. Despite such success, Rahman did not have any Hindi films in his kitty. Rumours also go that bigwigs of Hindi film industry thought of Rahman’s success as fluke, and did not believe his track record will sustain for Hindi films. However, Rangeela broke all myths and misconceptions about A.R.Rahman in Bollywood.

album h a total of 8 tracks, including an instrumental title ‘Spirit of Rangeela.’ Rangeela proved to be a pathbreaking soundtrack in many ways, especially with its songs like Mangta Hai Kya and Hai Rama which were received very well for ir originality and innovative rhythm. ditionally, album also revived career of an old-time legend like Asha Bhonsle, who suddenly found a new fanbase in young music-lovers for her peppy, youthful rendition for song Rangeela Re and Tanha Tanha.

Rangeela won multiple awards and nominations

At Filmfare Awards for that year, AR Rahman expectedly won award for Best Music for Rangeela. Lyricist Mehboob bagged two nominations for songs Tanha Tanha and Kya Kare Kya Na Kare. ditionally, album also fetched nominations for three of its playback singers - Swarnalatha, Kavita Krishnamurthy, and Shweta Shetty.

But more importantly, Rangeela opened new doors for AR Rahman. In next four years, AR Rahman delivered two more pan-India superhit albums for movies Dil Se and Taal in years 1998 and 1999 respectively. And in 2001, composer achieved global fame and recognition as he composed for Oscar-nominated film Lagaan.

From Lagaan onwards, Rahman only grew in a global status and popularity. However, it all arguably started because a filmmaker in Bombay decided to sign AR Rahman against all odds, back in 1994.