The 70th National Awards were announced on Friday for films which were released in 2022. Singer and Music Director, Music composer, AR Rahman won the National Film Award for Best Music Director (Background Score) for his work in Mani Ratnam’s Tamil film Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1, which had become a blockbuster in 2022.
This is Rahman’s seventh National Award, the highest any music director could have bagged.
Tamil Musical legend Isaignani Ilaiyraaja shares an edge with Rahman, having won five National Awards for music. Ilaiyraaja’s last Nation award was for the Tamil film Tharai Thappattai back in 2015. Hindi music director Vishal Baradwaj stands third in this list with four and Jaidev with three.
Rahman’s illustrious career as a music director can be traced back to 1992 when he partnered with the iconic South film director Mani Ratnam for his blockbuster hit Roja. Roja’s music direction earned him his first National Award for best music direction. Following which there was no turning back for Rahman as he went on to achieve his second National Award for Minsara Kanavu in 1996, and his third for Lagaan in 2001. Mani Ratnam’s Kannathil Muthamittal in 2002 fetched him his fourth award.
After a hiatus of more than a decade, in 2017, Rahman added another National Award to his collection, this time it was for Mani Ratnam’s Kaatru Veliyidai and the Hindi film Mom starring Sridevi.
Not be forgotten Rahman’s first Oscar for his Best Original Score and Best Original Song (for Jai Ho) at the 81st Academy Awards.
