AR Rahman’s Oscar-Winning Song ‘Jai Ho’ Was Originally Composed for Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj

AR Rahman‘s iconic and Oscar-winning song ‘Jai Ho‘ was initially composed for the movie Yuvvraaj, directed by Subhash Ghai. The 2008 film starred Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Zayed Khan, and Katrina Kaif. However, Ghai felt that the song didn’t fit the movie’s context and gave it to Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire instead.

According to Subhash Ghai, the song was first recorded for Yuvvraaj but was later deemed unsuitable. Rahman graciously offered the song to Boyle’s film as it was needed there. In an earlier interview, AR Rahman acknowledged that Ghai didn’t want the song for Yuvvraaj, but Boyle loved it, so he gave it to him.

The collaboration between Subhash Ghai and AR Rahman dates back to Taal, where Ghai claims he was the first to approach Rahman for composing music in Hindi movies. Rahman’s commitments with Bombay Dreams prevented him from working on Ghai’s projects like Yaadein and Kisna. Additionally, Rahman composed music for two other unreleased movies by Ghai, Shikast and Motherland.

AR Rahman’s exceptional work on Slumdog Millionaire earned him two Oscars at the 81st Academy Awards. He won the Best Original Song for ‘Jai Ho’ and the Best Original Score.