AR Rahman Reveals New Gen "Gaslighted" Him, Says Past Glory Feels Like Criticism Now

Oscar-winning Composer AR Rahman has said that repeated comparisons with his early work made him doubt his own creativity, claiming a younger generation had “gaslighted” him into believing he was no longer producing good music. The remarks came amid continued public discussion following his recent interviews on his career and the changing dynamics of the film music industry.

In an interaction with The Hollywood Reporter, Rahman explained how nostalgia-driven praise for his 1990s compositions often carried an unintended implication. He said that when people repeatedly cite classics like Roja (1992) as his benchmark, it can subtly suggest that his current work lacks the same quality, which, he noted, can negatively affect one’s mindset if confidence is already low.

Rahman added that this perception pushed him to consciously increase his output in recent years. According to the composer, he intentionally took on project after project, working on nearly 20–30 films between 2019 and 2025, so that newer audiences would associate him with contemporary music rather than only with his past legacy.

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The composer also said he does not want to rely on awards or past achievements for validation. Emphasising the need to constantly prove himself, Rahman said clinging to accolades such as Oscars and Filmfare Awards can become a creative burden rather than a motivation. He described 2026 as a “fresh start”, focused on rebuilding self-belief and pushing personal boundaries.

Rahman recently collaborated with Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer on the music for Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayan and said such projects help him stay creatively energised. He stressed that complacency is not an option and that his aim is to continue evolving rather than leaning on past success.

Separately, Rahman also issued a clarification over a controversial remark in which he suggested that “shifting power dynamics” and possibly communal factors had slowed his Hindi film work in recent years. In a video message shared on Instagram, the composer said he never intended to hurt sentiments and reiterated that his sole purpose has always been to honour culture and connect with audiences through music.

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