Ramayana Launch: Rahman and Zimmer Score Global Premiere
The epic stars Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, with Amazon Music and T-Series handling the global soundtrack rollout.
By Allison Rojas ·
The first installment of the "Ramayana" film series opens in theaters worldwide on Nov. 5.
Producer Namit Malhotra stated that the project moved forward only when the necessary talent and technical resources were secured. He leads DNEG, a visual effects firm that has won eight Academy Awards, including for "Dune: Part Two." DNEG and its sister company ReDefine are providing the visual effects for this production, which is produced by Prime Focus Studios and Yash's Monster Mind Creations.
Director Nitesh Tiwari, known for "Dangal" and "Chhichhore," focused on intimate character dynamics rather than plot twists. He noted that audiences are already familiar with the major events of the epic, so the challenge was to make those moments feel immediate and truthful. Tiwari said his attention was on the relationships and difficult choices, aiming to help viewers feel what it meant to the people involved rather than just recognizing the events.
The score marks the first collaboration between A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer on an Indian film. Malhotra described the pairing as essential to his vision, with no alternative plan. The music was recorded with an orchestra at AIR Studios in London, where Indian and Western musicians worked together. Malhotra said the goal was to combine emotional familiarity with modern melody.
T-Series serves as the music label, while Amazon Music is the streaming partner. The first track, "Jai Jai Ram," was released on Sept. 14 to coincide with the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Amazon Music hosted a live event at the Chennai Trade Centre on Oct. 21, where Rahman performed songs from the film alongside Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, and Yash. The company is also releasing a short-form series on Instagram and YouTube titled "Decoding Ramayana with A.R. Rahman."
Rishabh Gupta, general manager of Amazon Music India, said the platform is positioning itself as a destination for major film albums. Indian-language music accounts for roughly 70% of what the service's customers in India stream. The company has built a dedicated destination for the "Ramayana" album on its platform, including four new playlists named for characters from the epic. Because Amazon Music operates in more than 50 countries, each song goes live abroad at the same moment it does in India.
Bhushan Kumar of T-Series described the album as a way to honor the epic's Indian roots while creating a distinct musical experience for international audiences. He said the partnership with Amazon Music helps connect the soundtrack with listeners across different markets. Gupta noted that the success of the project will be measured by long-term engagement, such as whether the songs remain in people's routines long after the film leaves theaters.
