AR Rahman Reveals How Praise and Comparisons Made Him Question His Craft After Oscars

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has opened up about the psychological impact of winning two Academy Awards, saying that the accolades sometimes weighed him down rather than lifted him up. In a recent interview, he explained that praise tied to his past milestones especially from fans nostalgic about his earlier hits made him question the value of his more recent music, leading to a period of self-doubt and overwork.

Rahman said that comments from listeners and industry observers often invoked the greatness of his work from the 1990s, particularly the soundtrack for Roja and other early classics. While such praise might sound flattering, he said it carried an unintended message: that his contemporary work was somehow not up to the same standard. Hearing repeated comparisons, he admitted, felt like being “gaslit” into questioning his continuing relevance as a composer.

Rather than slowing down, Rahman responded to those doubts by immersing himself deeply in new projects. Over the past six years, he intentionally took on music direction for an intense slate of films around 20 to 30 spanning Tamil, Hindi and other Indian languages. This prolific output was not accidental, he said, but a conscious effort to prove to himself and others that his creativity was as strong as ever.

Rahman added that relying on past accolades, including his Oscars and multiple Filmfare awards, can actually sap creative motivation. “That thought drains you,” he said, explaining that constantly leaning on old achievements can make it harder to stay driven and inspired. For him, the key has been to treat each new project as a fresh challenge rather than a chance to repeat past successes.

His mindset reflects a broader philosophy of artistic growth: to evolve with changing tastes and keep learning. Rahman said he now focuses on work that resonates with him personally and creatively, rather than trying to recreate a bygone era of his career. This approach, he said, helps him stay motivated and confident, and supports his goal of building a body of work that connects with both older fans and newer generations.

Looking ahead, Rahman continues to stay busy with high-profile projects. He is composing music for several upcoming films, including collaborative work on the two-part cinematic adaptation of the Ramayana, where he is working alongside Grammy-winning composer Hans Zimmer.

Rahman’s candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into how even major awards and widespread acclaim can come with emotional and creative complexity, especially for artists who constantly strive to redefine their craft rather than rest on past laurels.