AR Rahman's Ramayana Song Draws Comparison to Previous Qawwali Work

Composer AR Rahman's newest song for the highly anticipated Ramayana film has become the subject of online discussion, with social media users noting stylistic similarities to his previous work. The track, titled Mangal Rang, features in the film starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sai Pallavi and has prompted comparisons to Kun Faya Kun, a qawwali-influenced composition from the 2011 film Rockstar.

Listeners on various platforms have pointed out the resemblance in musical composition and vocal treatment between the two pieces. The observations reflect the distinctive qawwali elements present in Rahman's Mangal Rang, a classical form of Sufi devotional music that the composer has previously explored in his filmography.

The Ramayana project marks another significant cinematic venture for Rahman, who continues to be one of India's most sought-after film composers. While the comparisons have drawn attention on social media, they underscore the recognizable musical signatures that have become characteristic of the Academy Award-winning composer's work across multiple film productions.

Rahman's compositions have long been noted for their fusion of traditional Indian classical forms with contemporary film music sensibilities. The Mangal Rang track is part of the broader musical score for the Ramayana adaptation, which remains one of the most anticipated releases in Indian cinema.

Photo: A. R. Rahman at the Toronto International Film Festival, September 2025. Desmond Herzfelder via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).