AR Rahman Calls Winning Oscar ‘Burden’

In a candid and deeply personal interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, music maestro AR Rahman revealed the emotional toll of his global success.

The Oscar-winning composer confessed that the massive nostalgia surrounding his 1990s hits, like Roja and Bombay, often felt like a form of “gaslighting” that made him second-guess his current creative output.

The “Oscar Burden” and the 20-Film Rampage

Rahman shared that while accolades like the Academy Awards are a matter of pride, they can also act as a creative anchor, draining motivation and causing intense self-pressure.

• The Gaslighting Factor: Rahman explained that fans and industry peers often compare his new work to his 1990s era, telling him, “In the ’90s you did Roja, that was very good music.” He noted that this implies his current work isn’t good, which can be psychologically harmful.
• The “Rampage” Response: To prove to himself and a new generation that he is still at his peak, Rahman consciously decided to work on 20 to 30 films over the last six years.
• New Benchmarks: He expressed satisfaction that directors now reference his recent work, such as the sequence for Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life, rather than just his decade-old classics.

“I need to get my self-esteem and confidence back… Not rely on the past and be like, ‘Oh, I’ve won 2 Oscars.’ That thought drains you. It’s a fresh start, 2026.”

A Busy 2026: Upcoming Projects

Rahman is entering 2026 with a clean slate, removing mentions of his Grammys and Oscars from his social media bios to maintain a “beginner’s mindset.”