AR Rahman says self-doubt pushed him into most prolific phase of his career

Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman has revealed that persistent comparisons with his past work led him to question his relevance—and ultimately drove him into one of the busiest phases of his career.

In a recent interview, Rahman said he was repeatedly made to feel that his best music was behind him, a mindset he described as being “gaslighted” into believing he was no longer doing strong work. The constant nostalgia surrounding his iconic 1990s compositions, including “Roja” (1992), began to affect his confidence.

“When people keep telling you how great your music was in the ’90s, it slowly makes you feel like what you’re doing now isn’t good enough,” Rahman said, adding that such remarks can be mentally damaging if an artiste is not in the right headspace.

Rahman explained that this self-doubt became the motivation behind an intentional creative surge. Between 2019 and 2025, he composed music for nearly 20 to 30 films, making the last six years the most productive period of his recent career.

“I decided to go on a kind of rampage—film after film, song after song,” he said. “Now when directors approach me, they reference work from the last six years. That was deliberate. I wanted to leave enough music for the next generation.” He also reflected on the weight of global recognition, noting that winning two Academy Awards can sometimes feel like a burden rather than a blessing, as expectations rise exponentially.

Over the past six years, Rahman has scored projects across multiple industries, including Hollywood, Bollywood, Tamil, Malayalam and other regional cinemas. His recent credits include international titles like “Blinded by the Light”, as well as major Indian films such as “Ponniyin Selvan I & II”, “Dil Bechara”, “Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu”, “Maamannan”, “Ayalaan” and “Thug Life”.

Despite earlier concerns about fewer opportunities in Hindi cinema, Rahman’s latest comments highlight a conscious effort to redefine his legacy beyond nostalgia and reaffirm his relevance to newer audiences.