A. R. Rahman

A. R. Rahman entered the movie scene with soundtracks for Tamil movies. He composed his first soundtrack for Mani Ratnam's Roja in 1992. One year later he composed the music for S. Shankar's Gentleman. This soundtrack included some major hits and became famous in Tamil Nadu. Rahman was soon known for bringing a new music style into Indian cinema. Many of his songs were copied by other composers, e.g. the song "Chikku Bukku Railea" from Gentleman definitely inspired the "Pak Chik Pak" song in Raja Babu.

Rahman continued to work with Mani Ratnam (Thiruda Thiruda, Bombay) and S. Shankar (Kaadhalan), but the man who made him compose his first original Hindi film soundtrack was Ram Gopal Varma. For Ram Gopal Varma's Rangeela Rahman composed a soundtrack, which changed Hindi film music and is certainly one of the most remarkable soundtracks of the 1990s. Rahman combined the influence of Rap and Hiphop with arabian music. The combination of direction, choreography and music direction in Rangeela is perfect. It's a difficult thing to start a movie with a song, but with Rangeela this concept worked well. Other songs like "Manga Hai Kya", for which Rahman did the playback singing himself and "Yaaron, Sun Lo Zaara" are equally good.

In 1998 Rahman worked with Mani Ratnam again - this time for his Hindi movie Dil Se. Though Dil Se was not a box office hit, it is remembered for its songs and their brilliant picturisation. The "Chaiyya Chaiyya" song combining Rahman's music with Gulzar's lyrics and Farah Khan's choreography is a classic of modern Bollywood. Yet, there was another Hindi soundtrack, which has to be mentioned: Taal. In Taal Subhash Ghai told the story of a composer, who remixes songs of unknown composers - very often the "remix" becomes a straight lift. For this film, there had to be a song with original and remix. Rahman composed the famous tune "Taal Se Taal Milao".

Rahman also cooperated with Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber to produce the famous musical "Bombay Dreams", which sucessfully ran in America and the Westend in London. Rahman, the most sought after composer of film music in India, has done many soundtracks for Hindi movies - among them the songs for the famous movie Lagaan. Of course, Rahman has also composed the music for numerous Tamil and Telugu productions. he continued to work with Mani Ratnam for Alai Payuthey , Kannathil Muthamittal and Aayitha Ezhuthu , but also did the fantastic score for Kandukondain Kandukondain.

His latest hit were the soundtracks for Rang De Basanti, Sivaji and Jodhaa Akbar.

Filmographie

As Music Director

1. Raavanan, 2010
2. Delhi 6, 2008
3. Ghajni, 2008
4. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, 2008
5. Jodhaa Akbar, 2008
6. Slumdog Millionaire, 2008
7. Sultan the Warrior, 2008
8. Yuvvraaj, 2008
9. Guru, 2007
10. Nuvvu Nenu Prema, 2007
11. Sivaji, 2007
12. Provoked, 2006
13. Rang De Basanti, 2006
14. Sillunu Oru Kadhal, 2006
15. Varalaru, 2006
16. A Aa, 2005
17. Kisna, 2005
18. Mangal Pandey, 2005
19. Water, 2005
20. Aayitha Ezhuthu, 2004
21. Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa, 2004
22. Kangalal Kaithu Sei, 2004
23. Lakeer, 2004
24. Machi, 2004
25. Meenaxi, 2004
26. Naani, 2004
27. Netaji, 2004
28. New, 2004
29. Swades, 2004
30. Yuva, 2004
31. Boys, 2003
32. Kaadhal Virus, 2003
33. Parashuram, 2003
34. Simhachalam, 2003
35. Tehzeeb, 2003
36. Alli Arjuna, 2002
37. Baba, 2002
38. Kannathil Muthamittal, 2002
39. Saathiya, 2002
40. The Legend Of Bhagat Singh, 2002
41. Lagaan, 2001
42. Love You Hamesha, 2001
43. Paarthaale Paravasam, 2001
44. Star, 2001
45. Zubeida, 2001
46. Alai Payuthey, 2000
47. Kandukondain Kandukondain, 2000
48. Pukar, 2000
49. Rhythm, 2000
50. Sakhi, 2000
51. Thenali, 2000
52. Earth, 1999
53. Endrendrum Kaadhal, 1999
54. Jodi, 1999
55. Kaadhalar Dhinam, 1999
56. Mudhalvan, 1999
57. Padaiyappa, 1999
58. Sangamam, 1999
59. Taal, 1999
60. Taj Mahal, 1999
61. Thakshak, 1999
62. Dil Se, 1998
63. Jeans, 1998
64. Daud, 1997
65. Iruvar, 1997
66. Minsaara Kanavu, 1997
67. Pudhiya Mugam, 1997
68. Ratchagan, 1997
69. Anthimandaarai, 1996
70. Indian, 1996
71. Indira, 1996
72. Kaadhal Desam, 1996
73. Love Birds, 1996
74. Prema Desam, 1996
75. Bombay, 1995
76. Kaadhalan, 1995
77. Rangeela, 1995
78. Nippuravva, 1994
79. Super Police, 1994
80. Thiruda Thiruda, 1994
81. Gentleman, 1993
82. Roja, 1992

As Singer

1. Jodhaa Akbar :: Khwaja Mere Khwaja, 2008
2. Rang De Basanti :: Khalbali, 2006
3. Rang De Basanti :: Luka Chuppi, 2006
4. Rang De Basanti :: Roobaroo, 2006
5. 7 1/2 Phere :: Dil Se Re (Remix), 2005
6. 7 1/2 Phere :: Jiya Jale, 2005
7. Mangal Pandey :: Al Maddath Maula, 2005
8. Aayitha Ezhuthu :: Jana Gana Mana, 2004
9. Aayitha Ezhuthu :: Sandai Kozhi, 2004
10. Aayitha Ezhuthu :: Yaakai Thiri, 2004
11. Swades :: Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera, 2004
12. Yuva :: Dhakka Laga Bukka, 2004
13. Yuva :: Fanaa, 2004
14. Yuva :: Kabhi Neem Neem, 2004
15. Kannathil Muthamittal :: Vellai Pookal, 2002
16. Saathiya :: Mera Yaar Mila De, 2002
17. Lagaan :: Chale Chalo, 2001
18. Fiza :: Piya Haji Ali, 2000
19. Taal :: Ishq Bina, 1999
20. Dil Se :: Dil Se Re, 1998
21. Bombay :: Andha Arabi Kadaloram, 1995
22. Kaadhalan :: Urvasi Urvasi, 1995
23. Rangeela :: Mangta Hai Kya, 1995