Was told nobody from south India can make it in Bollywood: AR Rahman

Rahman said he was also told to change his name in order to make it in Bollywood.

Flix Bollywood

AR Rahman needs no introduction. For over two decades now, the Mozart of Madras has been wowing audiences across the world with his musical creations.

Rahman’s stint in the film industry began in 1992 when he delivered hit tracks for Mani Ratnam’s Roja. There’s been no looking back since then with the Oscar-winning composer scoring popular tracks across film industries, including Kollywood, Mollywood, Bollywood and even Hollywood.

Rahman, who hails from Chennai, recently revealed that during his entry into Bollywood, he had been told that a person from south India could not cross the wall to the Mumbai music industry.

“I come from the south, from Chennai. In those days people used to tell me, ‘Nobody can cross this wall and nobody will help you enter Mumbai’,” he told Bombay Times.

Rahman said that while he was also told to change his name in order to make it in Bollywood, those turned out to be nothing more than stories.

“I was also told to change my name. But they just turned out to be stories. Everyone accepted me here just as I was – AR Rahman. You guys embraced me with love. There was so much of joy as you all celebrated me. And not only that, when I stand here today in India, I experience the cherished memories I have of the time when I started in the ‘90s.”

The recipient of four National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe, some of Rahman’s hit music projects in Bollywood include Bombay, Taal and Lagaan, the last helping him earn a special spot on the global front.

Rahman is also entering direction with Le Musk, a Virtual Reality (VR) multi-sensory episodic film that has been shot across various locations in Rome. He has not just directed it but has also written it.