Welcome back to Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition. We’re still in 1997, and in this episode, we continue to be joined by Sowmiya Ashok (@sowmiyashok on Twitter/@sowmiyashok.writes on Insta). 

We’re taking on two albums that couldn’t be more different—Iruvar and Ratchagan.

Iruvar is, in many ways, a masterpiece. Arguably Mani Ratnam’s greatest film, and one of Rahman’s most elegant, classically rooted soundtracks. It’s an album of restraint and richness, where each song feels like a tribute to an era, a genre, a mood. It’s not just music: it’s memory, it’s cinema.

Then there’s Ratchagan. A completely different beast. This one split the room, but not the Brothers. Swaroop and Sharan are Team Ratchagan. Our guest Sowmiya Ashok, however, wasn’t quite convinced. Still, we make the case: behind the flashy production and dramatic arrangements lies some truly underrated Rahman magic. If you haven’t revisited this album in a while, trust us, it’s worth it.

So join us as we argue, remember, and occasionally burst into laughter (if not song). Because this is 1997, and Rahman is just getting started.

This episode was edited by the inimitable Nihar Mamidipudi.

Podcast Insta: @brothers.in.music

Swaroop: @tnagartornado on X and Instagram.
Sharan: @sharanidli on X; M R Sharan on LinkedIn.