AR Rahman Calls Working with Hans Zimmer on 'Ramayana' a 'Great Honour'

Academy Award-winning composers A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer are joining forces for the upcoming epic adaptation of the Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. This high-profile collaboration has generated significant excitement within the film industry and among audiences. Rahman recently described the opportunity to work with his fellow Oscar winner as a "great honour," highlighting the unique nature of the project. The partnership brings together two distinct musical traditions to score one of the most anticipated Hindi cinema releases in recent years.

The creative alliance was facilitated by producer Namit Malhotra, who brought the two composers together for this massive undertaking. Rahman expressed surprise and gratitude at the pairing, noting the diverse backgrounds involved in the production. He remarked, "Ramayana is Hindu, I'm Muslim, Hans Zimmer is Jewish," emphasizing the cultural convergence happening behind the scenes. This statement shows the inclusive spirit of the project, which aims to reinterpret a classic mythological narrative through a modern cinematic lens.

Initial musical outputs have already been released to the public, beginning with the introductory theme credited to Zimmer, Rahman, and Kumar Vishwas. The track titled 'Ramayana (The Introduction Theme)' was unveiled alongside the film's first glimpse in July 2025. Fans reacted enthusiastically to the haunting background score, praising the distinctive blend of styles. The positive reception to the early music releases has further fueled anticipation for the full soundtrack and the eventual theatrical debut of the film.

The production is structured as a two-part series, with 'Ramayana: Part 1' scheduled for release during Diwali 2026. The sequel, Part 2, is planned for Diwali 2027. As of early 2026, Rahman noted that the music work was still ongoing, describing the collaboration as challenging but rewarding. The release of the 'Rama Theme' in April 2026 provided another glimpse into the evolving score. The project continues to attract attention as a major milestone in Indian cinema, bridging international musical expertise with a deeply rooted cultural story.

What is confirmed

Reported A. R. Rahman is collaborating with Hans Zimmer on the music for Nitesh Tiwari’s "Ramayana".
Reported Hans Zimmer and A. R. Rahman are composing the score for "Ramayana" together.
Reported The collaboration between the two Academy Award-winning composers has generated major excitement around the film.
Reported The project is being directed by Nitesh Tiwari and is described as an epic adaptation of Ramayana.

Timeline

2025-07-03 — Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana' first glimpse was unveiled, and the accompanying introductory theme credited Hans Zimmer, A.R. Rahman, and Kumar Vishwas was released as a single titled 'Ramayana (The Introduction Theme)'.
2026-01-16 — A Cinema Express report said A.R. Rahman described working on 'Ramayana: Part 1' with Hans Zimmer as difficult, while discussing the ongoing collaboration on the film's music.
2026-04-02 — The track 'Rama Theme (From "Ramayana")' by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman was released on streaming platforms and YouTube.
2026-01-01 — In an interview reported by The Times of India, A.R. Rahman said he was proud of how his collaboration with Hans Zimmer on 'Ramayana' was shaping up and noted that the music work was still ongoing.
2026-01-01 — Hindustan Times reported that fans reacted enthusiastically to the 'Ramayana' first glimpse, especially praising the haunting background score by Hans Zimmer and A.R. Rahman.
2026-01-01 — Reports on the film stated that 'Ramayana: Part 1' is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release, with Part 2 planned for Diwali 2027.

Direct quotes

"Namit Malhotra brought him and Hans Zimmer together to collaborate on one of the biggest Hindi cinema projects in the making."
— AR Rahman, 2025-07-29

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FAQ

Who is producing the collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer?

Namit Malhotra is the producer who facilitated the collaboration between A. R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer for the Ramayana soundtrack. Rahman explicitly credited Malhotra for bringing the two Academy Award-winning composers together to work on this major Hindi cinema project. This partnership represents a significant moment in the film's production, uniting two distinct musical voices under Malhotra's banner.

When are the Ramayana films scheduled to be released?

Reports indicate that 'Ramayana: Part 1' is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 release. The second installment, Part 2, is planned for Diwali 2027. These dates position the epic adaptation as a major holiday release strategy. The timeline suggests a long-term production schedule, allowing for detailed development of both the narrative and the extensive musical score by the composing team.

What has A. R. Rahman said about the cultural aspects of the project?

A. R. Rahman highlighted the diverse religious backgrounds involved in the production, stating, "Ramayana is Hindu, I'm Muslim, Hans Zimmer is Jewish." This comment reflects his perspective on the cultural convergence occurring during the making of the film. He also expressed surprise at the collaboration, asking who would have imagined him scoring with Zimmer for this specific project.