Ramayana Mangal Rang Song: AR Rahman Faces Online Backlash

Ramayana Mangal Rang Song: AR Rahman Faces Criticism Over Qawwali-Like Music

Ramayana Mangal Rang Song: The latest song from Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming epic film Ramayana has sparked a debate on social media. Titled Mangal Rang, the song features the voices of Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal, with music composed by AR Rahman. Released on Sunday, the track celebrates the sacred union of Lord Rama and Maa Sita and their journey together. While the song brings together some of the biggest names in Indian music, its reception on X has been divided. Several listeners have criticised what they describe as a qawwali-like musical style, arguing that the composition does not match their expectations for a film based on the Indian epic. The online discussion has placed Rahman's musical choices at the centre of attention, with some users questioning the song's cultural and musical direction.

AR Rahman's Mangal Rang Faces Social Media Backlash

Soon after the release of Mangal Rang, several social media users shared their reactions to the composition. While the song aims to capture the love and spiritual connection between Rama and Sita, some listeners expressed a preference for music they felt was more closely rooted in traditional Sanskrit and devotional styles. One user criticised the musical arrangement, writing, “Putting Sufi qawwali beats into Valmiki's Ramayana is peak Bollywood delusion.” Another user expressed disappointment more briefly, posting, “Qawwali in Ramayana. AR Rahman never fails to disappoint.” A third reaction questioned the composer's choice of musical style, while another user accused Rahman of reusing elements from an earlier Tamil composition. These comments reflect the expectations some viewers have for the music of Ramayana, particularly given the religious and cultural significance of the story. However, the criticism represents a section of social media users, and the online response has not been uniformly negative.

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Listeners Compare Mangal Rang With Rahman's Earlier Work

Apart from questioning the song's qawwali-like sound, some users have compared its musical elements with AR Rahman's previous compositions. One user suggested that the film's background score was more effective than its songs, adding that a composition based on traditional Sanskrit music would have been a better fit. Another social media reaction described Mangal Rang as reminiscent of Rahman's earlier work in Rockstar and Jodhaa Akbar. The user also compared its musical feel to Kun Faya Kun and criticised the overall direction of the film's music. The same user suggested that composers such as Ajay-Atul or Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy might have offered a different musical approach for the ambitious project. Such comparisons have become a significant part of the online discussion, with listeners debating whether a contemporary soundtrack or a more traditional devotional sound would better serve the film.

Mangal Rang Features Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal

Despite the criticism, Mangal Rang brings together two of India's most recognised playback singers, Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Their voices feature in the composition, which focuses on the relationship between Lord Rama and Maa Sita. The song forms part of the musical world of Ramayana, one of the most anticipated Indian film projects. Given the epic's cultural importance, expectations surrounding its soundtrack are particularly high. For a film of this scale, the music is expected to contribute to its emotional depth while complementing its visual portrayal of the epic. The debate surrounding Mangal Rang highlights the different expectations audiences bring to adaptations of traditional stories. Some listeners favour a classical or devotional approach, while others may be open to contemporary musical interpretations.

Ramayana: Cast, Director and Release Date

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana features Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama and Sai Pallavi as Maa Sita. The film also stars Yash, Sunny Deol, Ravi Dubey, Rakul Preet Singh and Lara Dutta in key roles. The project has attracted considerable attention because of its scale, cast and adaptation of one of India's most influential epics. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on November 5, according to the supplied release information. As the release approaches, the soundtrack is likely to remain a major talking point among audiences. Whether Mangal Rang eventually wins over listeners or continues to divide opinion will become clearer as more viewers experience the song and the film in its broader cinematic context.