Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Ramayana‘ is set to release later this year on Diwali 2026. Ahead of its much-awaited release, Grammy Award-winning composer AR Rahman opened up about his experience of working on the music of one of the most expensive movies ever made in Bollywood. The mega-starrer film is also joined by German film composer and producer Hans Zimmer, famously known for giving music to Christopher Nolan films, Interstellar and Inception.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter India‘s Anupama Chopra, AR Rahman revealed, “It was terrifying for both of us,” describing his experience about the couple of sessions the legendary musicians had collaborated on. “We’re scoring something so iconic and so important in the world,” Rahman added.
How Rahman worked with Zimmer
Creating music together for Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana has been a collaborative effort between AR Rahman, Hans Zimmer, and former AAP member Kumar Vishwas. Sharing more about this professional relationship, Rahman shared that he added the majority of the Sanskrit verses, as revealed in the promo. “What’s complicated is we’re taking something so epic which every Indian knows. And we have to give them something new, you know, we have to give to the world, from India to the world,” he shared.
The maestros also had to “unlearn certain things like how our instincts demand ‘oh this is how Ramayana should be done’ but also imbibe certain timeless quality which is there in the culture.” He then joked and questioned Chopra whether he had given the element of surprise away.
As the process is still on, Rahman added, “It is still a process happening. And I’m working with Dr Kumar Vishwas, who’s like the pro, like a professor-level (expert on Ramayana and Hindi language). Every atom of his body speaks Ramayana, and he comes out with lyrics like that, and he is a very kind person. So, we’re having fun and new.”
Ramayana: Release date, cast, and more
Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, and Yash as Ravana. Sai Pallavi features as Sita, and Sunny Deol as Hanuman. Playing Lord Ram’s brother, Lakshman, is Ravi Dubey, and Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha. The star cast also features Kajal Agagrwaral, Lara Dutta, Vivek Oberoi, Arun Govil, Shobana, Sheeda Chaddha, Kunal Kapoor, Indira Krishnan, and Satyen Chaturvedi.