A.R. Rahman on 'Jai Jai Ram': the prayer behind Ramayana's first song

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A.R. Rahman on 'Jai Jai Ram': the prayer behind Ramayana's first song

Synopsis

A.R. Rahman wanted 'Jai Jai Ram' to feel like a personal prayer — not a film number. With Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal voicing Dr. Kumar Vishwas's deliberately unadorned lyrics, the debut track from Nitesh Tiwari's 'Ramayana Part One' sets a devotional tone for what is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema's most ambitious mythological epics, due Diwali 2026.

Key Takeaways

Rahman composed 'Jai Jai Ram' , the first song from 'Ramayana Part One' , unveiled on Ganesh Chaturthi .
The track is sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal , with lyrics by Dr.
Rahman described the song's intent as preserving 'the purity and intimacy of a prayer' within a cinematic format.
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari , 'Ramayana Part One' is set for a Diwali 2026 release, distributed by Sony Pictures .

Academy Award and Grammy-winning composer A.R. Rahman has opened up about the creative philosophy behind 'Jai Jai Ram', the debut song from Nitesh Tiwari's much-anticipated epic 'Ramayana Part One', starring Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram. Rahman said the core intention was to honour the song's devotional roots while giving it the scale of a cinematic composition.

The Musical Vision

The track was unveiled on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, with the filmmakers choosing the auspicious festival to mark the beginning of the film's musical journey. In a statement, Rahman explained, 'At the heart of Jai Jai Ram is the simple and powerful repetition of Shri Ram's name. Musically, the intention was to preserve the purity and intimacy of a prayer while allowing the composition to grow into a cinematic song.'

The result is a blend of devotional aarti traditions with an orchestral, cinematic sweep — a combination Rahman has long been celebrated for. The composer added that vocalists Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal 'bring their own distinct emotional expressions to Dr. Kumar Vishwas's words, while always remaining true to the devotion at the centre of the song.'

The Lyricist's Intent

Poet and lyricist Dr. Kumar Vishwas described the song's three-word invocation as deceptively layered. 'Jai Jai Ram are three simple words, yet within them lies a complete prayer,' he said. 'While writing the song, my endeavour was not to describe Shri Ram, because his meaning cannot be contained in words, but to express the relationship every devotee shares with him: as our guide, our strength and our refuge.'

Vishwas said the deliberate simplicity of the language was a conscious creative choice: 'The language has been kept simple and direct because true devotion needs no ornamentation. I hope that when people hear the song, they do not merely listen to it, but find their own prayer within it.'

The Cast and Crew

'Ramayana Part One' features a high-profile ensemble: Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. The film is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations. Distribution is handled by Sony Pictures.

Release and Expectations

The film is slated for a Diwali 2026 theatrical release, one of the most commercially significant release windows in Indian cinema. The unveiling of 'Jai Jai Ram' on Ganesh Chaturthi signals a carefully orchestrated promotional campaign calibrated to align with religious occasions — a strategy that amplifies organic reach among devotional audiences. With Rahman, Singh, and Ghoshal lending their names to a mythological blockbuster of this scale, anticipation for the full soundtrack is already considerable.

Point of View

Generating organic, faith-driven reach that no paid campaign can replicate. Rahman's framing of the track as a prayer first and a film song second is also a calculated positioning move: it pre-empts cultural sensitivity debates that inevitably surround mythological adaptations. Whether the full soundtrack sustains this devotional restraint or pivots toward spectacle will be the real test of the creative brief. With Diwali 2026 as the target, the film is betting that its spiritual credibility will be as commercially potent as its star power.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Jai Jai Ram' from 'Ramayana Part One'?
'Jai Jai Ram' is the first song from Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming epic 'Ramayana Part One', composed by A.R. Rahman with lyrics by Dr. Kumar Vishwas and vocals by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. It was released on Ganesh Chaturthi as the film's musical debut.
What did A.R. Rahman say about the song?
Rahman said the intention behind 'Jai Jai Ram' was to preserve the purity and intimacy of a prayer while allowing the composition to grow into a cinematic song. He expressed hope that audiences find both peace and a personal connection in it.
Who are the singers and lyricist of 'Jai Jai Ram'?
The song is sung by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, with lyrics penned by poet and lyricist Dr. Kumar Vishwas. Rahman described each vocalist as bringing their own distinct emotional expression while staying true to the song's devotional core.
Who stars in 'Ramayana Part One' and when does it release?
The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Shri Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Yash as Ravana, Sunny Deol as Hanuman, and Ravie Dubey as Lakshman. 'Ramayana Part One' is directed by Nitesh Tiwari and is scheduled for a Diwali 2026 theatrical release.
Who is producing and distributing 'Ramayana Part One'?
The film is produced by Namit Malhotra's Prime Focus Studios in association with DNEG and Yash's Monster Mind Creations, and distributed by Sony Pictures.
Nation Press
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