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New Ramayana song Ravana Tandav gets mixed reactions online: Yash gets applause but some fans want AR Rahman replaced in sequel

The makers of Ramayana released a new song, Ravana Tandav, on Dussehra but most on the internet are disappointed with AR Rahman's music.

Published on: Oct 21, 2026, 12:23:12 IST
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The makers of Ramayana have released the film's second song, Ravana Tandav, featuring Yash as Ravana, on the occasion of Dussehra. While Yash's performance has impressed viewers, AR Rahman's music has left many online disappointed, with several criticising the composer for making a track they expected to be energetic sound dull.

AR Rahman's music in Ravana Tandav disappoints internet

Yash's Tandav impresses, but AR Rahman's music lets fans down in Ramayana's Ravana Tandav.
Yash's Tandav impresses, but AR Rahman's music lets fans down in Ramayana's Ravana Tandav.

The video features Yash as Ravana in Nitesh Tiwari's upcoming film. The one-minute-and-55-second sequence showcases Ravana's devotion to Lord Shiva and is set to the Shiv Tandav Stotram. It opens with Ravana cutting his palm with a dagger and applying a Tripundra tilak to his forehead before performing a ritual. He then performs aarti in front of a large idol of Lord Shiva before performing the Tandav. The video also offers glimpses of Yash's commanding and intense presence as Ravana through a series of montage shots.

Deep Dive

What does Yash’s Ravana Tandav song show in Ramayana?

The song shows Yash as Ravana performing the Tandav to the Shiv Tandav Stotram. The sequence depicts his devotion to Lord Shiva and includes a ritual and aarti before the dance.

Why are some viewers disappointed with the music in Ravana Tandav?

Some viewers felt AR Rahman’s composition sounded dull and did not deliver the energetic track they expected. Others praised Yash’s performance and the Tandav choreography.

Who sang the Telugu version of Ravana Tandav, and what did he say about AR Rahman?

Devi Sri Prasad sang the Telugu version, titled Ravana Tandavam. He said he was happy and honoured to be part of the song and referred to Rahman as ‘isaipuyal’, meaning ‘musical cyclone’ or ‘music storm’.
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One comment read, "AR Rahman is a bad choice for the movie." Another wrote, "Absolutely mid music from Rahman. Choosing him was a mistake for this movie." A third comment read, "Namit, it's not too late. I hope they change him in part 2, man; I was waiting for a banger." Another social media user suggested, "Replace Rahman with Ajay-Atul in sequel, they would kill it for sure." One more comment read, "ARR is past his prime. I knew taking Rahman was risky but boy is this disappointing."

AR Rahman is collaborating with German composer Hans Zimmer on the project. Zimmer, known for his work on films such as The Lion King, Gladiator and Dune, is making his debut in Indian cinema with the epic.

About Ramayana

Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, Ramayana is reportedly mounted on a budget of ₹4,000 crore across its two parts. Based on Valmiki's Sanskrit epic, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Rama, Yash as Ravana, Sai Pallavi as Sita, Sunny Deol as Lord Hanuman and Ravi Dubey as Lakshman. The film also features Arun Govil, Rakul Preet Singh, Lara Dutta and Vivek Oberoi, among others, in key roles.

Backed by Namit Malhotra and Yash, the film is scheduled to release in two parts, with the first instalment set to arrive in theatres on November 5, 2026.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Riya Sharma

Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.

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