Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has addressed questions surrounding faith and identity after announcing his involvement in filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming epic Ramayana. Responding to criticism and online trolling, Rahman emphasised that art, knowledge, and storytelling transcend religious boundaries, and should be approached with openness rather than prejudice.

Rahman, who is collaborating with two-time Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer on the ambitious project, said that his connection with Indian epics dates back to his childhood and is rooted in cultural familiarity rather than religious labels.

“Art cannot be confined by religion”

Speaking in a recent conversation on the BBC Asian YouTube channel, Rahman reflected on his early exposure to Indian mythology and literature.

“I studied in a Brahmin school, and every year we had Ramayana and Mahabharata, so I know the story,” he said.

The composer highlighted that the core of the Ramayana lies in its moral values and universal ideals, not in religious exclusivity.

“The story is about how virtuous and high-principled a person is. People can debate, but I value all the good things—any good thing that you can learn,” Rahman added.

He also referenced teachings across religions that encourage seeking knowledge regardless of its source, reinforcing his belief that wisdom is universal.

‘I am Muslim, Ramayana is Hindu—but art unites us’

Addressing the controversy more directly, Rahman urged society to rise above narrow-minded thinking.

“I think we need to rise above narrow-mindedness and selfishness. When we rise above, we shine—and that is very important,” he said.
“Hans Zimmer is Jewish, I am Muslim, and Ramayana is Hindu. It is coming from India to the whole world with love.”

His statement has been widely praised for underlining India’s pluralistic cultural tradition, where artists from diverse backgrounds have long contributed to stories rooted in different faiths.

AR Rahman’s background and early life

Rahman was born in Chennai (then Madras) into a Hindu family and was originally named Dileep Kumar Rajagopala. He converted to Islam in 1989 and adopted the name AR Rahman. Despite the change in religious identity, the composer has often spoken about how Indian classical traditions, spiritual philosophies, and diverse cultural influences shaped his musical journey.

Over the decades, Rahman has composed music for films across languages, cultures, and belief systems—often blending spiritual themes with contemporary soundscapes.

About Ramayana: cast, scale, and release

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, Ramayana is one of the most ambitious Indian film projects ever undertaken.

• Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama
• Sai Pallavi as Sita
• Yash as Ravana
• Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman
• Ravi Dubey as Lakshmana
• Arun Govil as King Dasharatha
• Rakul Preet Singh as Surpanakha

The film is planned as a two-part cinematic epic, with:

• Part 1 releasing on Diwali 2026
• Part 2 releasing on Diwali 2027

Reportedly made on a staggering budget of over ₹4,000 crore, the project aims to present the ancient epic with cutting-edge visual effects and a globally appealing musical score.

Why Rahman’s involvement matters

Rahman’s collaboration with Hans Zimmer marks a rare East–West musical partnership for an Indian mythological film, positioning Ramayana as a project with international reach. His comments have reignited conversations about artistic freedom, inclusivity, and the dangers of reducing creativity to religious identity.

By choosing to participate in Ramayana, Rahman reiterates a long-held belief:
stories belong to humanity, not to any single faith.

Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar has officially rewritten Indian box-office history. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the film has emerged as the highest-grossing Hindi-language film of all time, cementing its place among Indian cinema’s biggest blockbusters.

Despite entering its fifth week in theatres and witnessing an expected slowdown, Dhurandhar continues to dominate the box office both domestically and overseas. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film has amassed a staggering ₹1,222 crore worldwide, putting it within touching distance of SS Rajamouli’s RRR, which stands at approximately ₹1,230 crore globally.

Strong Hold Despite Fifth-Week Dip

Like most large-scale releases, Dhurandhar experienced a drop in collections during its fifth week. On Day 32 (fifth Monday), the film saw a 62.75% decline, earning ₹4.75 crore. However, the action thriller bounced back over the weekend, reaffirming its extraordinary theatrical run.

On Day 34 (Wednesday, January 7, 2026), Dhurandhar collected ₹4.25 crore, registering an overall Hindi occupancy of 10.69%—a solid figure for a film running for over a month.

So far, the film has earned:

• ₹786 crore nett in India
• ₹1,222 crore worldwide

These numbers underline the film’s exceptional longevity and repeat audience value.

Dhurandhar Becomes Highest-Grossing Single-Language Indian Film

With its current tally, Dhurandhar has surpassed all previous Hindi-language releases to become the highest-grossing single-language Indian film ever. Its success has been driven by a mix of strong word-of-mouth, mass appeal, slick action sequences, and sustained interest in the spy-thriller genre.

The film features a powerful ensemble cast, including:

• Ranveer Singh
• Akshaye Khanna
• Arjun Rampal
• Sanjay Dutt
• R Madhavan

Each actor’s performance has been widely appreciated, contributing to the film’s broad demographic appeal.

On Track to Surpass RRR Worldwide

Dhurandhar is now poised to surpass the lifetime worldwide collection of RRR, one of Indian cinema’s biggest global successes. While RRR—starring Jr NTR and Ram Charan—finished its run at around ₹1,230 crore worldwide, Dhurandhar is less than ₹10 crore away from eclipsing that milestone.

Trade analysts expect Dhurandhar to cross the RRR mark within the next few days, provided it maintains even modest daily collections.

Sequel Already Announced

Buoyed by the film’s historic success, the makers have officially announced Dhurandhar: Part 2. The sequel is scheduled for release in March 2026 and is set to clash with Yash’s much-anticipated Toxic – A Fairytale for Grown-Ups, promising a major box-office showdown.

Other Releases: Ikkis Box Office Update

Meanwhile, Sriram Raghavan’s Ikkis, starring Dharmendra and Agastya Nanda, continues its theatrical run at a modest pace. On its seventh day, the film collected ₹1.15 crore, taking its total India nett collection to ₹24.25 crore.

Ikkis opened with ₹7 crore on Day 1, followed by:

• ₹3.5 crore on Day 2
• ₹4.65 crore on Day 3
• ₹5 crore on Day 5

The film witnessed its first major drop on Day 5 (Monday), earning ₹1.35 crore, before slightly improving to ₹1.6 crore on Day 6.

Final Verdict

Dhurandhar’s box-office run stands as a landmark achievement for Hindi cinema. With record-breaking domestic earnings, massive overseas traction, and a sequel already in place, the film has firmly established itself as one of the most successful Indian theatrical releases of all time.

Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh turned 42 on January 6, 2026, and marked the occasion with a special gift for his fans. The singer-actor dropped the teaser of his upcoming single ‘Senorita’, featuring global music icon J Balvin, sending social media into a frenzy.

Released on Diljit’s birthday, the teaser quickly went viral, with fans hailing it as the “collab of the year.” The short clip hints at a vibrant fusion of Punjabi beats and Latin rhythms, blending Diljit’s desi swag with J Balvin’s signature reggaeton flair.

Fans React to the Teaser

Soon after the teaser dropped, fans flooded social media platforms with praise and excitement. Many expressed surprise at the unexpected collaboration, while others applauded Diljit for continuously pushing boundaries and taking Punjabi music to a global stage.

The teaser’s high-energy visuals and international vibe have raised expectations for the full track, which many believe could be a major crossover hit.

Diljit’s Birthday Post Goes Viral

Sharing the teaser on Instagram, Diljit captioned the post:

“Birthday Surprise with The Pride of Colombia Big Brother @jbalvin X co 2026 @rajranjodhofficial @mixsingh @sharicsequeira Hello Balvinistas.”

The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 3.8 million views within hours of being uploaded.

Reddit and Online Buzz

Reddit users were quick to react as well. One user commented, “This will be the collab of the year,” while another pointed out that the audio version of the song may already be out, writing, “Audio is released already.” The discussion threads were filled with speculation about the song’s release date and its potential global impact.

Additional Context & Value Add

A Major Global Collaboration

J Balvin, often referred to as the “Prince of Reggaeton,” has collaborated with some of the biggest names in global music. His pairing with Diljit Dosanjh marks another milestone for Indian artists making waves internationally.

Diljit’s Growing Global Footprint

Over the years, Diljit has steadily expanded his international presence—performing at global music festivals, collaborating with international artists, and appearing on global charts. Senorita appears to be another step in cementing his status as a global Punjabi icon.

What Makes ‘Senorita’ Special

• Punjabi–Latin music fusion
• Cross-cultural collaboration
• High-energy visuals and global appeal
• Strong fan anticipation even before full release

What’s Next?

While the full release date of Senorita has not yet been officially announced, fans are eagerly waiting for Diljit to drop the complete track and music video.