Madras, India, 1967
A. R. Rahman
The biggest name in Indian film music. He won two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire.
He started playing as a boy to support his family after the death of his father, also a film composer. He wrote advertising jingles until Mani Ratnam commissioned Roja in 1992, and has since worked in Tamil and Hindi cinema. With Danny Boyle he made Slumdog Millionaire, which won him two Oscars, and 127 Hours. In India he is called "the Mozart of Madras".
- Style
- A blend of Indian classical music, synthesizers, pop and voices, with rhythms you can dance to.
- Awards
- 2 Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire (score and the song Jai Ho), plus a Golden Globe and 2 Grammys for the same film.
Essential films
- Roja (1992)
- Bombay (1995)
- Dil Se (1998)
- Lagaan (2001)
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
- 127 Hours (2010)
Listen
- Jai Ho · Slumdog MillionaireSpotifyYouTube
- O... Saya · Slumdog MillionaireSpotifyYouTube
- Chaiyya Chaiyya · Dil SeSpotifyYouTube
Everything on Spotify Everything on YouTube Full biography on Wikipedia
Awards counted up to the 2026 Academy Awards. Facts reviewed in October 2026.