A.R. Rahman on RAMAYANA: “Looks INCREDIBLE on 3D, I’ve never…”

In this thoughtful and deeply philosophical memorable conversation with Faridoon Shahryar, living legend A. R. Rahman reflects on art, legacy, and the spiritual depth of music during his visit to Toronto for his show Rangreza. He speaks about what art truly means to him and how the legacy of an artist should go far beyond fame or recognition, instead leaving behind inspiration, emotion, and impact that continue to live through future generations. Rahman shares how much of the work he does today is rooted in a larger purpose, especially through the KM Music Conservatory, which continues to work closely with and shape young musical talent. He discusses the power of intent behind creating music and how energy and sincerity shape the final outcome of any artistic work. For Rahman, music has the ability to transcend the physical realm and can even help manifest positivity, healing, and deeper emotional connection. The conversation also explores the importance of storytelling in art and why meaningful storytelling remains at the heart of timeless music and cinema. Rahman speaks about his highly anticipated collaboration with Hans Zimmer for Ramayana, describing it as one of the most epic collaborations of his career and reflecting on the immense scale and significance of the project. He shares why Ramayana stands as one of the biggest films he has worked on and the responsibility that comes with bringing such an iconic story to life musically. The conversation also touches on his experiences working with young talent and why collaborating across generations brings fresh creative energy into the process. Rahman reflects on the discomfort that often comes with trying something new creatively and why stepping outside familiar territory is essential for growth. He also pays tribute to the timeless legacy of Asha Bhosle, speaking with admiration about her contribution to music and the enduring influence she continues to have across generations of artists and listeners. Video Courtesy Gurjit Bal Productions 00:00 - Intro 1:45 - Art for Rahman 2:38 - Legacy of an Artist 4:14 - ARR Genius Foundation 5:47 - Creativity and Commercialization 8:08 - Intent 9:36 - Zikr 11:25 - Convenience vs Quality of Art 14:07 - Storytelling 14:47 - Hans Zimmer and Ramayana 16:26 - Main Vaapas Aaunga 17:32 - Sense of Humour 18:32 - Embracing Discomfort 19:46 - Asha Bhosle 20:50 - Outro About the Presenter Sambasivam Kailasam Sambasivam Kailasam, popularly known as Samba, is the founder, composer, and vocalist behind Raag Utsav. He conceptualizes and composes the musical works presented under the Raag Utsav banner, bringing together accomplished instrumentalists and ensembles to create large-scale raga-based productions. His work focuses on: • Interpreting classical ragas in extended musical compositions • Collaborating with orchestral and instrumental artists • Presenting raga music in formats accessible to modern listeners Through Raag Utsav, Samba seeks to build bridges between tradition and innovation, demonstrating how classical ragas can continue to inspire new musical expressions. Raag Utsav has released several raga-based compositions across streaming platforms. Releases include: Navaragamalika (Vasantha, Nattai, Bihag, Kapi, Sindhu Bhairavi, Kedaram, Nalinakanthi, Jaunpuri, Kharaharapriya) Darbari Kanada Natabhairavi Kalyani Sankarabharanam Mohanam Mayamalavagowlai These compositions often feature large ensembles including violin, veena, sitar, flute, percussion, and orchestral strings, bringing together multiple musical traditions in a single production.  The vision of Raag Utsav is to celebrate the timeless power of raga music while presenting it in ways that resonate with today’s audiences. The project focuses on three core ideas: Tradition Respecting the grammar and spirit of classical ragas. Collaboration Uniting musicians from classical, orchestral, and contemporary backgrounds. Raag Utsav productions feature collaborations with accomplished musicians performing on various acoustic instruments. These collaborations create a rich musical tapestry that highlights the expressive possibilities of Indian ragas in a modern musical setting. Experience Raag Utsav across major platforms: YouTube – Full musical productions and videos    / @raagutsav   Spotify – Streaming releases https://open.spotify.com/artist/4qy0l... Apple Music – High-quality digital listening   / raag-utsav   Instagram – Updates, reels, and behind-the-scenes content   / raag.utsav72   Raag Utsav helps explore the evolving journey of raga-based musical storytelling. For more details and collaborations, contact [email protected] ---- Connect with Me :- Facebook -   / faridoon.shahryar   Twitter -   / ifaridoon   Instagram -   / ifaridoon   Youtube -    / faridoons   ---- #arrahman