AR Rahman Secretly Composed Slumdog Millionaire’s “Jai Ho,” Later Won the Oscar

Released in 2008, the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire captured hearts worldwide, and its music made waves across the globe. For this soundtrack, music maestro A. R. Rahman was honored with two Academy Awards. But Rahman has now revealed an astonishing fact — he had actually composed the music for the film in secret, without even letting his own team know.

A R Rahman: Jai Ho From Slumdog Millionaire Glory

A. R. Rahman created the music for the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire. The film’s iconic track “Jai Ho” not only earned him two Academy Awards — Best Original Score and Best Original Song — but also brought him several other international honors. Interestingly, Rahman almost refused to compose the song at first, as his agent had advised him against taking on the project.

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A post shared by Sucharita Tyagi (@su4ita)

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A post shared by Sucharita Tyagi (@su4ita)

Yes, it’s true. In a recent conversation with film critic and former radio jockey Sucharita Tyagi at TIFF 2025, A. R. Rahman revealed that his then-manager had warned him not to work on the film. The manager feared that director Danny Boyle, known for letting people go, might also drop Rahman. But Rahman chose to trust his instincts and went ahead with the project. In the end, when the film was released, its songs were celebrated all over the world.

“When my agent said: Don’t do it”

Sharing this, Rahman said, “Actually, at that time my agent told me, ‘Don’t do it, because you might get fired.’ I thought, ‘Okay, if I don’t tell anyone, nobody will know if I get fired.’ So, I went ahead and composed the music for the film — and Danny was amazing. There’s always a system around you that confuses you. But I went ahead, and the outcome was incredible. It was truly a step of faith and courage. Sometimes people confuse you, but you need to think for yourself and do what’s right.”

Rahman further revealed that he kept the whole process a secret from his team. He said, “I did it quietly. My team thought I was working on a documentary or some other project. This gave me a much bigger international audience. There are a few projects in life that truly turn out to be blessings.”

Career and memorable songs

Rahman’s journey in music began with the romantic thriller Roja (1992) and the song Chhoti Si Aasha. From there, his path as a composer has continued to flourish. His songs are known to soothe the heart and soul. Some of his most memorable works in Hindi cinema include Ek Ho Gaye Hum Aur Tum (Bombay), Yaaron Sun Lo Zara (Rangeela), O Humdum Suniyo Re (Saathiya), Ramta Jogi (Taal), Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se), Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi (Swades), Mayya Mayya (Guru), and Kun Faya Kun (Rockstar). Many of the films he worked on became immortalized because of his music.

A. R. Rahman’s success is not just the story of a music director, but also of courage, faith, and passion. Slumdog Millionaire’s “Jai Ho” is more than just a song — it is a symbol of Rahman’s trust in his instincts and his determination. Today, his music transcends boundaries and unites the world, and that remains his greatest achievement.

FAQs

1. What is A. R. Rahman’s role in Ufff Yeh Siyapaa?
Rahman composed and sang “Dil Parinda,” the first song from Ufff Yeh Siyapaa, a dialogue-free film.

2. When will Ufff Yeh Siyapaa hit theatres?
The film releases on 5 September 2025 in theatres, showcasing Rahman’s soundtrack as central to the storytelling.

3. What is Thug Life, and what did Rahman do for it?
Thug Life is a 2025 film directed by Mani Ratnam starring Kamal Haasan. Rahman composed the full soundtrack, including songs recorded with new voices like Sneha Shankar.

4. Will A. R. Rahman perform live in Hyderabad in 2025?
Yes. As part of The Wonderment Tour, he returns to Hyderabad after an eight-year gap for a stand-alone stadium concert on 8 November 2025.

5. What is Jaane Tu from Chhaava by Rahman?
“Jaane Tu” is a song composed by Rahman for Chhaava, sung by Arijit Singh. Released early 2025, it celebrates the historical bond between Sambhaji Maharaj and Maharani Yesubai.

6. Who is A. R. Rahman?
A. R. Rahman is an Oscar-and Grammy-winning Indian composer and musician known for fusing classical Indian music with modern electronic and film scores.

7. What are some of Rahman’s iconic works?
His standout works include Slumdog Millionaire (“Jai Ho”), Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Lagaan, and many more, spanning multiple languages.

8. What is The Wonderment Tour by A. R. Rahman?
It’s his 2025 global concert tour celebrating his musical legacy, performing hits across India and abroad in large venues and arenas.

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