Oscar and Grammy winner AR Rahman to score Hansal Mehta's Gandhi: 'I am deeply honoured'

When Hansal Mehta set out to make Gandhi, he envisioned it as a story of many contradictions - the leader that the world knows as the Mahatma and the man behind it, the principles he stood for and the humbling incidents that led to their birth. So, when it came to crafting the music for the complex story, the makers had a unanimous choice - A R Rahman.

Gandhi Jayanti 2024: AR Rahman to score Hansal Mehta's historical drama

On the occasion of the Mahatma's 155th birth anniversary today, mid-day brings the exclusive news that the Oscar- and Grammy-winning composer has been roped in for the historical drama that sees Pratik Gandhi step into Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's role.

Pratik Gandhi steps into the titular role

On Gandhi Jayanti 2024, AR Rahman on his foray into fiction series

While Rahman has previously composed for a docu-series on Indian music, the period drama will mark his foray into fiction series. Firsts are always special. The feeling only gets heightened when your maiden web series is a retelling of the Mahatma's life. "Watching Gandhiji's younger life is a revelation - his experiments with truth, life, and so many other things show the evolution of his character. I am deeply honoured to be scoring the music for this story under the direction of Hansal Mehta," says the musician, who will soon begin work on the project.

The composer has a knack for creating symphonies that are rooted in Indian music and ragas. Gandhi then will be the perfect marriage of his sounds and the sweeping story of Indian Independence. The show, which is currently in production, is based on historian-author Ramachandra Guha's books, Gandhi Before India, and Gandhi: The Years That Changed The World.

AR Rahman, Mahatma Gandhi and Hansal Mehta

It is easily the most ambitious work of Mehta, who has become one of the most reliable voices in digital entertainment with Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story (2020) and Scoop (2022). Through his incisive lens, the audience will witness the leader's early years and experiences in South Africa, and the lesser-known incidents that shaped him into the Mahatma. In Rahman, Mehta says he has found the perfect collaborator. "Gandhi is a human retelling of MK Gandhi's life story, a story that continues to inspire generations. AR Rahman's music has the unique ability to elevate storytelling, and for a project of this scale and significance, we couldn't think of anyone better to bring the emotional and spiritual nuances of Gandhi's life to the forefront." Sameer Nair, Managing Director, Applause Entertainment, which is backing the offering, adds, "Gandhi is a global narrative on the triumph of the human spirit. AR Rahman's music will add a soul-stirring dimension to this story."