Entertainment

AR Rahman Responds to ‘Mangal Rang’ Criticism, Explains Creative Process

By TOI Entertainment Desk

AR Rahman has addressed mixed reactions to ‘Mangal Rang’, a song from Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming film *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend*. The composer, who is working with Hans Zimmer on the film’s music, said he is often his own harshest critic and that not every creative choice needs to please everyone. He explained that compositions sometimes require time to evolve, with certain musical ideas being revisited over several months before they are finalised.

‘Mangal Rang’ sparked debate among listeners, with some questioning its qawwali‑like treatment for a song associated with a mythological epic. In an interview with *The Indian Express*, Rahman clarified that he does not automatically approve of everything he creates, saying, “I am my first critic. It is not that I just love everything I do.” He compared the maturation of some tunes to the process of making pickle, noting that “for certain tunes, the older it is, the better it becomes.” He also warned that a composer cannot constantly base creative decisions on public reactions, quoting Steve Jobs: “If you want to satisfy everyone, go sell ice cream.”

The song features the film’s principal characters—Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash—and incorporates several classical influences. Rahman used the shuddh notes of Bilawal, blended with elements of Maand, a raga traditionally associated with bhajans and wedding music, and touches of Pahadi. The arrangement was intended to be rooted in devotional and traditional sounds while exploring a distinct approach rather than following an established template.

Despite initial criticism, the song reached No. 1 on YouTube’s trending music chart during its release week. Rahman also highlighted his partnership with Hans Zimmer, noting that Zimmer’s involvement could help the film reach a wider international audience. He described the musical assignment as extensive, involving songs, background score, and multiple versions for different languages and markets, and emphasized the pressure to get every detail right.

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, *Ramayana: Rise of a Legend* stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash as Ravana.