AR Rahman - The journey of a genius

“Sometimes I've worked from the scratch using my own voice. Like in Dil Se, Mani said why don’t you sing it in your own voice. Or when I did Ye Jo Des. Ashutosh Gowarikar suggested that I should be singing this song. Initially, I was supposed to sing Ek Taara but it didn’t match Shah Rukh's voice,” Rahman says.

In 2000, Rahman's annual income was estimated to be around $4 million from worldwide endorsements and royalties dating back to Roja (1992). His Tamil album Kandukondain Kandukondain was sold for a record sum of Rs 22 lakh. The record remains unbeaten.

With Rang De Basanti being the current rage among the youth of the country, Rahman continues to lead Bollywood’s music brigade.

Fourteen years and many chartbusters later, Rahman shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, he has begun living life in the fast lane and is taking up more projects than ever before.

The Rahman fans are obviously not complaining. He’s here to stay, so just let the music play!

1. Roja 1992
2. Rangeela 1995
3. Saathiya 2002
4. Lagaan 2001
5. Zubeidaa 2001
6. Taal 1999
7. Dil Se 1998
8. Rang de basanti 2006
9. The Rising: Mangal Pandey 2005
10. Swades 2004
11. Bombay 1995
12. Vande Maatram 1996
13. Bombay Dreams 2002
14. Lord of the Rings 2006