Music maestro AR Rahman believes that the involvement of Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming mythological epic Ramayana will be a game-changer for the film’s global appeal.
In a recent interview with Connect FM Canada, Rahman was asked whether Ramayana could find audiences beyond the Indian diaspora. His response was unequivocal.
“If Hans Zimmer is attached, it will. Because they will know Hans Zimmer… They will go just for Hans Zimmer’s name,” Rahman said, as quoted by Pinkvilla.
The power of the Zimmer name
Rahman explained that while the story of Ramayana may not be familiar to non-Indians, Zimmer’s reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated film composers (known for The Lion King, Gladiator, Inception, Interstellar, and Dune) will serve as an entry point.
“They might not know the story, but they know him. And once they are there, they will discover the story,” Rahman added.
The Oscar-winning composer also credited the role of social media in expanding the film’s reach.
“And with the social media connecting with his music, once he puts something, twenty million people will see it. So, the awareness is there. It’s going to be a game-changer for sure.”
A powerhouse collaboration
Ramayana, directed by Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal, Chhichhore), stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Raavan, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravi Teja, Vijay Sethupathi, and Anil Kapoor in supporting roles. The film is being produced by Namit Malhotra of DNEG, which has won multiple Oscars for visual effects.
Hans Zimmer was officially announced as the composer for the epic adaptation earlier this year. AR Rahman was initially rumored to be attached to the project but later confirmed he had not been approached.
“I heard Hans Zimmer is there. I wish them all the very best,” Rahman said in a previous interview.
Zimmer’s connection to Indian audiences
Though Zimmer is German-born, his connection to Indian culture runs deeper than casual audiences may realize. He told The Hindu in a recent interview that his daughter was named after Indian classical music.
“I called my daughter Annabel Zimmer. But her middle name is ‘Raga’. As in the Indian raga,” Zimmer said. “Even she knows that raga is a beautiful idea of melodic framework for improvisation and emotional connection.”
Zimmer also expressed excitement at collaborating with Indian musicians. “It’s going to be a privilege. I’ll get to work with Indian musicians and combine our sensibilities. This will be an adventure. The fun bit is we don’t know where it will go. The adventure is in the unknown.”
What this means for Indian cinema
If Zimmer’s involvement succeeds in drawing global audiences to Ramayana, it could mark a turning point for Indian cinema’s export potential. Unlike previous crossover attempts that relied on diaspora appeal or festival circuits, Ramayana aims for mainstream global theatrical release.
The film is scheduled for a two-part release, with the first part expected in late 2027 or early 2028. Pre-production is currently underway, with motion capture and VFX work in progress at DNEG’s studios in London and Mumbai.
For now, Rahman’s prediction sets the stage for what could be Indian cinema’s most ambitious global play yet — powered not by stars alone, but by a composer whose name transcends borders.
