Any genius who is around in a field for 25+ years is bound to have a couple or more bad years. That is why you even have the term -“Law of averages out there”. It just piqued my curiosity to try and find a bad year in the career of music director, A.R Rahman. Let’s start listing each year in A.R Rahman’s career starting from 1992 against the prominent chartbusters he delivered those years and see if there is an off-year.
1992 – Roja, Yodha
1993 – Gentleman, Pudhiya Mugam, Thiruda Thiruda, Uzhavan
1994 – Kadhalan, May Madham, Duet
1995 – Bombay, Indira, Rangeela , Muthu
1996 – Love Birds, Indian, Kadhal Desam, Fire, Mr. Romeo
1997 – Minsara Kanavu, Iruvar, Daud, Ratchagan
1998 – Dile Se, Jeans , 1947: Earth, Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
1999 – En Swasa Kaatre, Padayappa, Kadhalar Dhinam, Taal, Sangamam, Taj Mahal, Jodi, Mudhalvan
2000 – Pukar, Alaipayuthey, Kandukondein Kandukondein, Rhythm, Zubeidaa
2001 – Lagaan, Paarthale Paravasam
2002 – Kannathil Muthamittal, Legend of Bhagat Singh
2003 – Boys, Warriors of Heaven and Earth
2004 – Aayutha Ezhuthu, Swades, New
2005 – Kisna, Managal Pandey
2006 – Rang De Basanti, Sillunu Oru Kaadhal
2007 – Guru, Sivaji , Azhagiya Tamil Magan
2008 – Jodha Akbar, Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Ghajini, Slumdog Millionaire
2009 – Delhi 6
2010 – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, Raavanan, Enthiran, 127 hours
2011 – Rockstar
2012 – Kadal, Jab Tak Hai Jaan
2013 – Maryan, Raanjhanaa
2014 – Highway, Kochadaiiyaan, Kaaviya Thalaivan, The Hundred-Foot Journey
2015 – OK Kanmani, Tamasha, ‘I’
2016 – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada
2017 – Kaatru Veliyidai
No, I have failed big time. There is not a single year where A.R Rahman has not delivered a chartbuster or a song that has not stayed with us from the time we listened it. Even the greatest of the geniuses falter at times, bounce back , show signs of decline etc as years pass. Not A.R. Rahman. There is obviously a reason why he is the finest music director our country has produced.
