Raayan is the soundtrack album composed by A. R. Rahman for the 2024 Tamil-language film of the same name, directed and starring Dhanush, alongside an ensemble cast which includes Prakash Raj, S. J. Suryah, Selvaraghavan, Sundeep Kishan, Dushara Vijayan, Kalidas Jayaram, Aparna Balamurali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar and Saravanan. The film is produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. The album featured five songs, with three of them being previously released as singles. It was released on 6 July 2024, coinciding with the audio launch event at Sriram Engineering College in Chennai, via Sun Pictures.
| Raayan | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.png) Tamil version cover | ||||
| Soundtrack album by | ||||
| Released | 6 July 2024 | |||
| Recorded | July–December 2023 | |||
| Studio | Panchathan Record Inn, Chennai Panchathan, Mumbai | |||
| Genre | Feature film soundtrack | |||
| Length | 17:57 | |||
| Language | Tamil | |||
| Label | Sun Pictures | |||
| Producer | A. R. Rahman | |||
| A. R. Rahman chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Raayan | ||||
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Background
editRaayan's soundtrack is composed by A. R. Rahman, in his fourth collaboration with Dhanush after Raanjhanaa (2013), Maryan (2013) and Atrangi Re (2021).[1] Initially, Sean Roldan was intended to compose the film's score as he previously worked with Dhanush on Pa Paandi and Velaiilla Pattadhari 2 (both 2017),[2] but was ousted as the project suffered financial problems under Thenandal Studio Limited, the former producer.[3][4] Despite signing nearly 30 projects at that time, Rahman accepted the offer owing to Dhanush's interest.[5] During the musical discussions, Dhanush recalled that whenever he needed a tune, he would play one of his songs and ask for a similar one, but Rahman instead opined to do something fresh and original, which amazed the actor.[5]
The songs were performed by Rahman, Dhanush, Santhosh Narayanan, Shweta Mohan, Arivu, ADK and Ganavya Doraiswamy. Street musician Gana Kadhar made his debut in the Tamil film music scene, by writing lyrics for the song "Water Packet". Describing the song's process, Rahman recalled that the music team had selected the lyrics from nearly 30 people before finalising Kadhar.[6] New York-based Tamil singer Ganavya Doraiswamy performed the song "Oh Raaya" as her first song for a feature film. She also described her collaboration with Rahman, who was very close to spirituality that resonated with her own journey, as she seldom performs songs for films. Speaking to Indulge Express, Doraiswamy added "Usually in cinema songs, we see a lot of sexualised lyrics and so on. But in the music of Rahman sir, the connection with spirituality takes over and that is something I could connect with."[7]
Release
editThe first song from the film "Adangatha Asuran" written and co-performed by Dhanush with Rahman was released as a single on 9 May 2024.[8][9] The second single "Water Packet" performed by Narayanan and Mohan was released on 24 May.[10][11] The third song "Raayan Rumble" was released on 5 July.[12][13] The film's music launch was held at the Sri Sai Ram Engineering College in Chennai, the following day,[14] with the cast and crew in attendance and featured musical performances by Rahman and his team.[15] The songs "Oh Raaya" and "Odatha Da Odatha Da" were released along with the album on that date through audio streaming platforms.[16]
Reception
editJanani K. of India Today wrote that Rahman's "background score and songs are perfect for it."[17] Divya Nair of Rediff.com and Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times described it as "fascinating" and "brilliant" that elevated the film.[18][19] Swathi P. Ajith of Onmanorama wrote that "[Rahman's score] adds significant weight to each moment. The music serves as the movie's binding force-clever, thunderous, and powerful."[20] Avinash Ramachandran of The Indian Express wrote "AR Rahman stringing it all together with a score that elevates Raayan to a different plane altogether. And we ask ourselves… Isn’t this the Rahman we have been wanting for a while now?"[21] Sowmya Rajendran of The News Minute wrote "AR Rahman's background score works well for the big and small moments" but found the song placements to be forced.[22]
Live performance
editOn 27 July 2024, Rahman and his team hosted a concert at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to commemorate his 32nd year of his film music career.[23] The team performed all the popular songs from Rahman's films, while Rahman performed a snippet of "Adangaatha Asuran" at the concert. Dhanush shared an Instagram post to share a video of his performance, where he mentioned that "I never imagined when I wrote these two simple words "usure needhane" (transl. You are the life) in your magical melody that it would resonate with millions and become iconic."[24]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Adangaatha Asuran" | Dhanush | A. R. Rahman, Dhanush | 4:08 |
| 2. | "Water Packet" | Gana Kadhar | Santhosh Narayanan, Shweta Mohan | 4:06 |
| 3. | "Raayan Rumble" | Arivu | Arivu | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Odatha Da Odatha Da" | ADK | ADK | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Oh Raaya" | Dhanush | A. R. Rahman, Ganavya Doraisamy | 3:28 |
| Total length: | 17:57 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Thala Vanchi Eragade" | Chandrabose | Hemachandra, Sarath Santhosh | 4:08 |
| 2. | "Peechu Mithay" | Ramajogayya Sastry | Vijay Prakash, Haripriya | 4:06 |
| 3. | "Raayan Rumble" | Rakendu Mouli | Arivu | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Urakara Urakara" | Rakendu Mouli | Rakendu Mouli | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Oh Raaya" | Kalpradah | A. R. Rahman, Ganavya Doraisamy | 3:28 |
| Total length: | 17:57 | |||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Koi Tod Na Iska" | Kumaar | Sukhwinder Singh | 4:08 |
| 2. | "Mood Kirkira" | Kumaar | Nakash Aziz, Antara Nandy | 4:06 |
| 3. | "Raayan Rumble" | MC Heam | Arivu | 3:31 |
| 4. | "Sarvsresth" | MC Heam | Nanku | 2:45 |
| 5. | "Oh Raaya" | Nirmika Singh | Runa Rizvi | 3:28 |
| Total length: | 17:57 | |||
Personnel
editCredits adapted from Sun Pictures.[25]
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Album credits
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Performer credits
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Chart performance
edit| Chart | Song | Peak position |
Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (Billboard) | "Water Packet" | 13 | [26] |
| Asian Music Chart (OCC) | "Adangatha Asuran" | 2 | [27] |
| "Water Packet" | 1 |
References
edit- ^ "AR Rahman to compose music for 'D 50'". The Times of India. 21 February 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ "Details of Dhanush's second directorial bi-lingual venture #DD2 revealed!". The Times of India. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Dhanush's second directorial dropped?". The Times of India. 2 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Dhanush's 'D50' officially announced; touted to be a gangster drama". The Times of India. 18 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
- ^ a b "AR Rahman accepted Raayan when he was already working on 30 films, Dhanush says, 'Ella pugazhum Rahmanukke'". The Indian Express. 23 July 2024. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Dhanush and AR Rahman praise 'Water Packet' lyricist Gaana Kadhar". The Times of India. 26 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 28 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ George, Diya Maria (22 July 2024). "Tunes that redefine contemporary music". Indulge Express. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (9 May 2024). "'Adangatha Asuran' from Dhanush's Raayan out along with the release date". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Adangaatha Asuran: Dhanush turns singer, lyricist for AR Rahman's first single from Raayan". Hindustan Times. 9 May 2024. Archived from the original on 6 June 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "'Raayan' second single 'Water Packet': AR Rahman's musical sung by Santhosh Narayanan and Shweta Mohan is just insane". The Times of India. 25 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 26 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Dhanush-starrer Raayan's Second Track Titled Water Packet Out". News18. 25 May 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Third single 'Raayan Rumble' from Dhanush's 'Raayan'". The Times of India. 6 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (4 July 2024). "Raayan third single titled Raayan Rumble, to be out tomorrow". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 16 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (4 July 2024). "Dhanush's Raayan audio launch to be held on this date". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 4 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Dhanush and AR Rahman's live performance to SJ Surya and Prakash Raj's speech; Here are some highlights from the 'Raayan' audio launch". The Times of India. 7 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Features, C. E. (6 July 2024). "Raayan jukebox gets released; includes two new songs". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 6 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ K., Janani (26 July 2024). "'Raayan' Movie Review: Dhanush's 50th film is riveting. Well, almost". India Today. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Nair, Divya (29 July 2024). "Raayan Review: Dhanush Works His Magic Again". Rediff. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Srinivasan, Latha (26 July 2024). "Raayan movie review: Dhanush's 50th film is a must-watch for its performances and unexpected twists". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 26 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ P. Ajith, Swathi (26 July 2024). "'Raayan' review: Dhanush's stellar performance and A R Rahman's score shine amidst a thin storyline". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 28 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Ramachandran, Avinash (26 July 2024). "Raayan movie review: Dhanush crafts an almost compelling film that needed a lot more heft". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ Rajendran, Sowmya (26 July 2024). "Raayan review: Dhanush's second directorial is proper theatre material". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 2 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ K., Janani (30 July 2024). "Watch: Dhanush shares 'goosebumps moment' from AR Rahman's Malaysia concert". India Today. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ "Dhanush shares an emotional note on AR Rahman performing "Adangaatha Asuran" song from 'Raayan' in his Malaysian concert: 'I never imagined it would resonate with millions'". The Times of India. 30 July 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
- ^ RAAYAN – Official Audio Jukebox | Dhanush | AR Rahman | Sun Pictures (in Tamil). Sun Pictures. 6 July 2024. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "India Songs". Billboard. 9 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Official Asian Music Chart: 9 to 15 August". Official Charts Company. 9 August 2024. Archived from the original on 9 August 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.