99 Songs

A.R. Rahman’s Passion Project: The Making of 99 Songs

Musical drama 99 Songs (2019) marked a bold creative leap for composer A.R. Rahman, who stepped beyond his legendary soundtrack work to produce and co-write the film. Directed by debutant Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, the movie promised a fresh cinematic experience—one where Rahman’s music wouldn’t just accompany the story but drive it. Behind the scenes, the project was billed as a labor of love, though its journey to the screen was anything but smooth.

Rahman’s Producer Debut

Rahman’s involvement in 99 Songs went beyond composing. He took on the role of producer, a first for the Oscar winner, signaling his deep personal investment in the project. In a launch event captured in a YouTube video, Rahman described 99 Songs as his "dream project," hinting at the film’s ambition to blend music, emotion, and narrative in a way rarely attempted in Indian cinema ^[1]. The trailer teased a visually rich, song-driven story, with Rahman’s signature melodies setting the tone for a love story set against a musical backdrop ^[5][6][7].

The film’s production was backed by Rahman’s own label, YM Movies, suggesting a desire for creative control. A clip featuring director Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy joked that the movie would feel "like an A.R. Rahman song," emphasizing the film’s musical soul ^[8]. Yet, despite Rahman’s star power, 99 Songs faced delays, eventually releasing in 2021—two years after its initial 2019 premiere plans .

A Star-Studded Debut for Ehan Bhat

The film’s lead, Ehan Bhat, was a relative newcomer when he was cast as Jay, a struggling musician. Hailing from Kashmir, Bhat’s casting was a gamble, but one that paid off in visibility. His performance in 99 Songs became his breakout role, earning him recognition in the Indian film industry ^[2]. The supporting cast included veterans like Manisha Koirala and Lisa Ray, alongside fresh faces like Edilsy Vargas and Tenzing Dalha, adding a mix of experience and new energy to the project ^[5][6].

Bhat’s journey mirrored the film’s own struggles—while 99 Songs was his debut, its delayed release meant his next projects hit screens before it did. Still, the film’s promotional material positioned him as the heart of the story, with trailers focusing on his character’s emotional and musical arc ^[5][6][7].

Critical Reception and Mixed Expectations

When 99 Songs finally released in 2021, it arrived with high expectations—Rahman’s name alone guaranteed attention. However, reviews were mixed. Some critics praised the film’s ambition and Rahman’s score, while others found the narrative lacking. Baradwaj Rangan, a noted film critic, reviewed the movie in a YouTube video, offering a nuanced take on its strengths and weaknesses ^[9]. The film’s Rotten Tomatoes page lists its cast but offers no aggregate score, suggesting a limited or divided critical response ^[3].

The delay between production and release may have hurt the film’s momentum. By the time it hit theaters, the buzz around Rahman’s producer debut had faded, and the musical drama genre was no longer the novelty it might have been in 2019. Still, for fans of Rahman’s music, 99 Songs remained a curiosity—a rare chance to see his compositions woven into a full-fledged cinematic experience.

A Passion Project with Lasting Questions

99 Songs was always meant to be more than just another movie. It was Rahman’s attempt to merge his musical genius with storytelling, a rare hybrid in Indian cinema. Yet, the film’s troubled release timeline and mixed reception left some wondering if the project lived up to its promise. Was it a victim of overambition, or simply a case of mismatched expectations?

One thing is clear: 99 Songs was a passion project in the truest sense. Rahman’s hands-on involvement, from composing to producing, set it apart from typical Bollywood musicals. For those who followed its journey, the film remains a fascinating "what if"—a bold experiment that didn’t quite land but still showcased Rahman’s willingness to push boundaries.