Making music for movies was not the intention; it just happened: AR Rahman | Hindi Movie News
Looking back on a career that has taken him from being a master at the keyboard to one of the world’s most celebrated composers, AR Rahman says he never followed a blueprint. Instead, he embraced opportunities as they came, guided by artistic fulfilment rather than commercial ambition.‘I was not trying to impress anyone’“I think I didn’t plan anything. I improvised when I got success, from being a keyboard player to a composer. Making music for movies was not the intention; it just happened. My intention was more artistic from day one,” Rahman says.That artistic instinct, he believes, became the defining quality of his work. Rather than trying to fit into industry expectations, he focused on creating music that satisfied him creatively. “I think whatever I wanted to do could also be used in movies. So that’s one of the reasons why my songs were different from anyone, I was not trying to impress anyone. I was just trying to pursue artistic satisfaction,” he adds.‘I just took what life opened for me’That approach eventually opened doors far beyond Indian cinema. From composing for the West End musical Bombay Dreams with Andrew Lloyd Webber to achieving global acclaim through Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman says his journey evolved naturally.Rather than chasing milestones, Rahman prefers to view his career as a series of opportunities that life presented to him. “I just took what life opened for me piece by piece,” he says. Yet even extraordinary success comes with its own challenges. Rahman admits that after years at the top, there is always the danger of becoming complacent or losing motivation.‘I found a purpose in my life’He explains, “You know, after a while, you can become complacent or feel jaded. And to fight that, I found a purpose in my life – to educate people in music.” That sense of purpose has become a powerful driving force. Through his educational initiatives and philanthropic work, Rahman says he discovered a mission that extends beyond composing music.‘Success is non-negotiable’For him, success today is measured not only by awards or box-office numbers, but by the impact he has on younger generations and people who have loved his music for decades. “In this respect, success is non-negotiable. I have to win and be able to inspire people who have been following my music for decades.”And it is his spiritual outlook that helps him navigate multiple creative worlds simultaneously. “Since I have a spiritual outlook towards life, I have been able to do what I do.”
