AR Rahman’s long-time collaborator and celebrated musician Ranjit Barot has shed light on the Oscar-winning composer’s extraordinary dedication and how it has propelled him to the top of the music world. In a recent interview, Barot stressed that while Rahman is undoubtedly blessed, his success is primarily the result of tireless effort.He explained that people often attribute Rahman’s achievements to divine blessing, but to him, blessing means recognising a gift and then working on it with complete commitment. “We’re all blessed in some way,” Barot told O2India, adding that Rahman has been working almost 24/7 for the last 40 years, a level of discipline that truly defines what it means to be blessed. He also recalled how destiny played its part when Ilaiyaraaja turned down Roja, giving Rahman the opportunity to step in, but insisted that “the rest is all his hard work.”Ranjit Barot on AR Rahman’s geniusBarot also reflected on how the Hindi film industry may not be giving Rahman the same creative freedom he once enjoyed. While he acknowledged Rahman’s Chennai roots, he pointed out that the composer’s repertoire spans much more than just Carnatic music — from Sufi and ghazals to North Indian classical influences. In his view, it’s a shame that Bollywood doesn’t fully tap into Rahman’s genius, remarking that “in Chennai, they allow him to be who he is, and he’s happy with it.”
Recently, Rahman composed music for the blockbuster Chhava and Mani Ratnam’s Thug Life. While Chhava emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year, Thug Life struggled at the box office.
