A.R. Rahman's Transformative Role in Bollywood Music Recapped by Subhash Ghai

London, 10 November — In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Indian director Subhash Ghai reflected on A.R. Rahman's profound influence on Bollywood’s musical evolution. While reminiscing about his own 1999 venture ‘Tal’, Ghai described the initial hesitation he felt when proposing the film’s music to the then‑unknown Rahman.

Ghai admitted that Rahman’s limited exposure to Hindi cinema made the offer feel risky. The composer’s mention of having played the flute for the classic ‘Hero’ reassured Ghai and underscored Rahman’s versatility across languages and styles.

The director went on to enumerate the ways Rahman reshaped the sound of Hindi films. From the sweeping, period‑driven score of ‘Lagaan’ to the youthful anthems of ‘Rang De Basanti’ and the contemporary beats of ‘Rockstar’, Rahman consistently pushed musical boundaries. The composer’s Oscar win for ‘Jai Ho’ further cemented his status as a global ambassador of Indian music.

“Rahman is a universal talent,” Ghai wrote. “His ability to learn any voice and turn it into music keeps him a timeless icon for every filmmaker and music lover alike.”