The recently released Main Vaapas Aaunga is holding well over the weekdays, with its Monday collections in the same range as Friday's. It also witnessed the expected jump on Tuesday. Yet, the collections are woefully low, and the film will have to trend exceptionally well over the next couple of weeks to post somewhat respectable numbers. Even then, recovering its high costs will be an uphill task. Several reasons can be attributed to its underwhelming opening, and one of the biggest is that the music simply didn't connect with the majority of the audience. In fact, Haunted: Echoes Of The Past, a much smaller film, opened to nearly double the collections of the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer. Had the songs clicked, this embarrassing situation could surely have been avoided.
Main Vaapas Aaunga's music has been composed by A R Rahman, who, without a shred of doubt, is one of the finest music composers our country has ever produced. However, the fact remains that for a very long time now, his songs have failed to connect with audiences and have done little to enhance a film's buzz. Shockingly, his last truly successful Hindi album was Tamasha (2015), which was released nearly 10½ years ago.
Since then, A R Rahman has composed music for Hindi films like Mohenjo Daro (2016), OK Jaanu (2017), Mom (2017), Shikara (2020), Dil Bechara (2020), Mimi (2021), Atrangi Re (2021), Heropanti 2 (2022), Mili (2022), Maidaan (2024), Chhaava (2025) and others. None of these albums is particularly memorable today, though OK Jaanu's (2017) 'Enna Sona' is an exception. Amar Singh Chamkila (2024)'s soundtrack was appreciated, but not in the way his classic albums once were.
Ask any common man on the street to list his or her favourite A R Rahman album or song. Chances are they won't mention any of his recent work. Instead, they'll talk about 'Chaiyya Chaiyya', 'Vande Mataram', 'Kun Faya Kun', 'O Humdum Suniyo Re' (currently enjoying a resurgence on Instagram) and several other timeless tracks.
The same trend is visible in his concerts. At 'The Wonderment Tour', held on May 3, 2025, in Navi Mumbai, A R Rahman and his team performed songs from Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Humse Hai Muqabala (1994), Guru (2007), Delhi-6 (2009), Taal (1999), Dil Se (1998), Bombay (1994), Rangeela (1995), Rockstar (2011) and more. From the post-Tamasha era, only 'Enna Sona' and 'Ishq Mitaaye' from Amar Singh Chamkila featured in the setlist. But the response generated by his older classics was on an entirely different level.
Despite this trend over the last decade, signing A R Rahman continues to be considered a matter of prestige for filmmakers. They proudly announce that the music maestro has come on board. Perhaps even the common man is impressed, considering that A R Rahman is now an icon, especially after his Oscar triumph. However, the same audience doesn't seem equally impressed by his songs when the film is finally released, and that's a worrying sign.
There's no doubt that A R Rahman is a pride of India, but he needs to once again create songs that stand the test of time, a quality that was once his greatest USP. There was a time when his music significantly enhanced the excitement surrounding a film, as seen with Rockstar, Dil Se, Taal, Rang De Basanti (2006), Guru (2007), Jodhaa Akbar (2008), Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (2008), Ghajini (2008), Delhi-6 and Raanjhanaa (2013). He needs to introspect and understand why that magic isn't happening anymore.
Producers and directors also need to keep their excitement in check and be honest if they feel the songs aren't working. Just as films are screened for focus groups before release, perhaps it's time to conduct focus listening sessions for unreleased soundtracks as well. Honest feedback from ordinary listeners could help filmmakers understand whether the music is truly connecting before it's too late.
A lot has changed in cinema, especially in the post-pandemic era. But one thing hasn't changed – songs continue to play a crucial role in drawing audiences to theatres. There are times when genuinely well-made films don't get the audience they deserve simply because the music fails to click with the common man. Main Vaapas Aaunga is a classic example. The film has been made with a lot of heart, and those who have watched it have been deeply moved by its content. Unfortunately, only a limited number of people have turned up, and the underwhelming music is undoubtedly one of the biggest reasons.
Hence, here’s hoping this serves as a wake-up call for everyone involved. A R Rahman remains one of India's greatest musical geniuses and nobody can erase what he has achieved. But legends, too, have to evolve and rediscover the spark that once made them unstoppable. Hindi cinema desperately needs chartbusters that become cultural phenomena once again. The day Rahman delivers another soundtrack that dominates playlists, weddings, Reels and theatres alike, there won't be anyone happier than the millions who grew up on his music.
More Pages: Main Vaapas Aaunga Box Office Collection , Main Vaapas Aaunga Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS - LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2026 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.