Top 10 Albums of A.R.Rahman That Defined The Past Decade
2010-19 was a challenging decade for our Isaipuyal A.R.Rahman. What with the surge of commercial (Harris Jayaraj, Anirudh Ravichander, Gopi Sunder, Mickey J Meyer, etc) and innovative (Santhosh Narayanan, Ghibran, Govind Vasantha, Leon James, Vishal Chandrasekar, Sean Roldan, Darbuka Siva, etc) music directors, Rahman had to maintain his class and foothold in the industry. And, yes, he churned out albums with the same elan, without losing his signature style. His music evolved along with the needs of the youngsters, while his fans complained about not finding the Rahmani-sh touch in his songs. Nevertheless, he still stays at the top and I can swear that no one can replace him.
Here I am listing out top 10 albums of Rahman that defined the past decade:
1. Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (2010)
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Obviously! No other soundtrack has recreated the magic of VTV. Gautham Menon’s first collaboration with Rahman was such a blockbuster that the album attained a cult classic status. Listen to all the songs from this soundtrack. You’ll never regret it! It won a huge number of awards.
2. O Kadhal Kanmani (2015)
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The modern successor to VTV. I can also quote this as the most innovative soundtrack of Rahman in the past decade. I never expected such an experimental album (Kollywood) from the Mani-ARR combo. It was a roaring hit and each song is a gem.
3. Rockstar (2011)
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If I said OK Kanmani is the experimental album of Kollywood, then it is Rockstar in Bollywood. The awards this album won exceed the tracklist. Some notable awards are IIFA, Filmfare, Mirchi Music Awards, GIMA, and Zee Cine Awards. The Sufi song Kun Faaya Kun is my lifeline and the number Nadaan Parindey saved me from depression last year.
4. Tamasha (2015)
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Another Imtiaz-ARR combo that became a runaway hit. This is another experimental outing by Rahman, where songs like Chali Kahaani and Tu Koi Aur Hai display Rahman’s versatility, while there are also some peppy tracks like Matargashti, Heer Toh Badi Sad Hai, and Wat Wat Wat. Moving numbers like Agar Tum Saath Ho and Safarnaama are cherries on the cake. This is one of my therapy albums.
5. Kaatru Veliyidai (2017)
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If you can wholeheartedly appreciate Tango Kelaayo and Jugni, then you have an absolute winner here. The other 4 songs are eternal classics in themselves. The album fetched Rahman the Best Music Award in the renowned 65th National Film Awards.
6. Enthiran (2010)
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Yes, I am including this biggie in this list, because it not only had the commercial factor, it also presented the quirky side of Rahman. There were a couple of innovative songs like Kilimanjaro and Arima Arima, while stylish tracks like Irumbile Oar Irudhayam and Boom Boom Robo Da are still aired in radio stations. Not the most-loved album of the decade, but certainly the highest-selling one, due to the Rajnikanth factor.
7. Ai (2015)
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Another Shankar-ARR combo with commerciality stamped all over it. Rahman went ‘thara local’ with Mersalayitten, roping in Anirudh Ravichander to croon the song. However, the song’s arrangement was Rahmani-sh all over. The soundtrack won majorly because of its couple of ear-pleasing melodies, Pookale Sattru Oyivedungal and Ennodu Nee Irundhaal (both the versions). Also, it had a couple of experimental songs, Aila Aila and Ladio, which worked wonders and pleased all the Rahmaniacs out there. No wonder it won in the Best Music category in 63rd Filmfare Awards (South).
8. Raanjhanaa (2013)
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I would certainly tell that Rahman went back to his classical roots with this album. Encompassed with traditional sounds and classical notes, this gem of an album was a turning point for Rahman in Bollywood. Folkish melody Tum Tak, energetic Raanjhanaa Hua, classical Banarasiya and Ay Sakhi, Sufi-esque Piya Milenge (this one track catapulted the entire soundtrack to its glory), the patriotic Tu Mun Shudi, the breezy Nazar Laaye, and the jazzy Aise Na Dekho, and what not! Though overshadowed by other commercial soundtracks of 2013, this wholesome album catered to all music lovers.
9. Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada (2016)
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Remember the Thalli Pogathey phenomenon? Yes, this album is home to that utterly breezy and innovative romantic number. On first listen, you wouldn’t like it, obviously. But, on repeated listens, it will grow on you. And, you’ll be addicted to it for the rest of your life. The album also had gems in the form of Rasaali and Avalum Naanum (a lilting melody that brought back Rahman of the yore). The high-octane Showkali and the cheesy Idhu Naal are slow-burners. This beautiful album fetched Rahman a Filmfare award and many other world-renowned awards.
10. Highway (2014)
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Yet another Imtiaz-ARR combo album. All their three collaborations have taken a position in this list, so you can know that this combo will never fail you. The soundtrack of Highway is like a soothing balm to your soul. Casual listeners would just love Patakha Guddi and Maahi Ve. But there are some therapeutic numbers like Heera, Sooha Saaha, Kahaan Hoon Main, and Tu Kuja. Hugely underrated, but this album brought out the musical genius in Rahman. It also won the Best Music award in GIMA Awards.
P.S: I am not including biggies like 24, Mersal, Sarkar, 2.0, and Bigil here. Because, these are DEFINITE albums that made Rahman a huge hit among gen-next youngsters. But I personally feel that these are soundtracks that Rahman composed only with the star-factor in his mind.
Some personal favourites of mine:
Ye Maaya Chesave (2010)
Raavan / Raavanan (2010)
Jhootha Hi Sahi (2010)
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
Mariyaan (2013)
Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018)
Sarvam Thaala Mayam (2019)
Some albums that just didn’t work:
Yes, Rahman can slip, too. So, here are some albums that were definite bombs.
Komaram Puli (2010)
Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014)
Lingaa (2014)
Sarkar (2018) (Sold well, commercial winner, but didn’t work with me)
Other albums released in the past decade:
Ekk Deewana Tha (2012)
Kadal (2012)
Kochadaiiyaan (2013)
Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014)
Mohenjo Daro (2016)
OK Jaanu (2017)
There are many English films’ OSTs which I have not included in this post. Refer to Rahman’s discography.
Wishing my music God an advance happy birthday! 
Love,
Kavya Janani. U
