News Desk: Music maestro AR Rahman has shared an unusual story behind his association with the upcoming film Ramayana: Rise of a Legend. At the film’s music launch event in Chennai on October 21, the Oscar-winning composer revealed that he had received an email in 2014 from a man who claimed to have dreamt that Rahman would compose music for the epic Ramayana.
Recalling the incident, Rahman told the audience that a man named Sathish had contacted him more than a decade ago with details of his dream. The message predicted that the composer would perform musical shows across India and the world while presenting the great epic through his music.
Rahman read out the email at the event, explaining how the old message had taken on new significance now that he was working on the film adaptation. He is composing the music alongside renowned Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer, known for his work on several major international productions.
The upcoming film, directed by Nitesh Tiwari and written by Shridhar Raghavan, is planned as a two-part live-action adaptation of the Hindu epic.
Yash Praises AR Rahman’s Music
Actor Yash, who plays Ravana in the film, was also present at the Chennai event. He spoke about his admiration for Rahman and revealed that the composer’s songs had helped him learn Tamil.
Yash recalled dancing to songs from Rahman’s 1993 film Gentleman and praised the musician’s contribution to Tamil cinema. He also expressed excitement about performing to Rahman’s music in Ramayana.
Speaking about his portrayal of Ravana, Yash said that although the character is often viewed as a villain, he approached the role as an actor portraying a complex character. He also praised the Shiva Tandava music associated with the film, saying it gave him energy while preparing for the role.
A Star-Studded Cast and Global Production
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend brings together a major Indian cast and an international creative team. Ranbir Kapoor plays Lord Rama, Sai Pallavi portrays Sita, Yash takes on the role of Ravana, Sunny Deol plays Hanuman and Ravi Dubey appears as Lakshman.
The supporting cast includes Arun Govil, Lara Dutta, Rakul Preet Singh, Vivek Oberoi, Kunal Kapoor and Kajal Aggarwal.
The production involves Prime Focus Studios, visual effects company DNEG and Yash’s Monster Mind Creations. The team also includes international specialists in production design, visual effects and action choreography, with the film being developed for IMAX and other premium large-format screens.
The first instalment is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, 2026, in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and English. The second part is expected to arrive in 2027.
Rahman’s revelation about the decade-old email has added an intriguing personal story to one of the most anticipated Indian film projects.
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