Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has added another milestone to his remarkable international career. On Friday, the music maestro unveiled the soundtrack of Baab, the critically acclaimed psychological fantasy-thriller directed by Emirati filmmaker Nayla Al Khaja. Released through Rahman’s label KM Musiq in association with global distributor Divo, the album is now available across major streaming platforms worldwide.
A New Chapter In Rahman’s Global Journey
While Rahman’s music has resonated with audiences across continents for more than three decades, Baab holds special significance. The film marks his first-ever venture into Arabic cinema, opening a fresh creative chapter for a composer whose work has continually transcended linguistic and geographical boundaries.
The soundtrack comprises ten original compositions that mirror the film’s mysterious and emotionally charged atmosphere. Blending orchestral textures, haunting melodies and immersive sound design, the album explores themes of grief, trauma, memory and the supernatural. As with many of Rahman’s most celebrated works, the music does not merely accompany the narrative but becomes an essential part of its emotional fabric.
Speaking about the project, Rahman said, “What drew me to Baab was its emotional complexity and the unique world Nayla had created. To stay authentic to the film, we explored a different soundscape, and it was a rewarding creative journey and a meaningful first step into Arabic cinema for me.”
For Rahman, whose career has included everything from Roja and Bombay to Slumdog Millionaire and 127 Hours, the project represents yet another example of his willingness to embrace new artistic challenges.
A Story Of Grief, Mystery And Self-Discovery
Directed by Nayla Al Khaja, widely regarded as one of the pioneering voices in Emirati cinema, Baab has already generated considerable acclaim for its atmospheric storytelling and psychological depth. The film follows Wahida, played by Shaimaa El Fadul, a woman struggling to come to terms with the death of her twin sister.
Consumed by grief and haunted by memories of her loss, Wahida embarks on a deeply personal journey through the rugged mountains of Ras Al Khaimah. As reality begins to blur with the supernatural, the film unfolds as both a psychological thriller and an exploration of emotional healing.
Rahman’s score serves as a vital bridge between these worlds, amplifying the tension, sorrow and mystery that define Wahida’s journey. The music reflects the film’s layered emotional landscape, moving seamlessly between intimate moments of vulnerability and larger, more ethereal passages.
The collaboration also arrives at a time when Middle Eastern cinema is gaining increased visibility on the global stage. By joining forces with Nayla Al Khaja, Rahman brings his internationally recognised musical sensibilities to a regional story rooted in local culture and mythology.
Over the years, Rahman has built a reputation for adapting his sound to diverse cinematic traditions without losing his distinctive identity. From Indian classics to Hollywood productions such as Slumdog Millionaire, Couples Retreat, Pelé: Birth of a Legend and Warriors of Heaven and Earth, his work has consistently crossed borders. Baab now joins that growing international repertoire, standing out as a landmark project that expands both his artistic reach and cultural footprint.
For fans of the composer, the album offers a chance to hear Rahman navigate an entirely new sonic terrain. For audiences discovering Baab, it promises an evocative musical companion to one of the UAE’s most talked-about films in recent years.
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