AR Rahman has revealed his dedication to his craft often comes at the expense of maintaining close friendships. In a recent interview with News18, the acclaimed music composer shared that he prioritizes refining his musical pieces over fostering personal relationships. He admitted to often losing track of time as he immerses himself in his work, constantly pushing himself to improve and explore new musical territories.

Rahman explained, "I did have friends, but I'm always behind. Even if I have a lot of time, I go even deeper and more intensely into work. If I know that making a song will take eight hours, I don't stop at that. I keep pushing myself beyond that. My mantra is: more time, better work and better satisfaction. It's not like I do less work just so that I can have more friends.” He likened his dedication to a form of intoxication, a relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation in his music.

Despite the communication gaps that may arise from his work-intensive lifestyle, Rahman expressed gratitude for the support he received from his colleagues and industry friends. He mentioned that during his recent hospitalization in Chennai, he was touched by the outpouring of concern and well-wishes from singers and directors who reached out to him.

On the professional front, AR Rahman is currently involved in composing the music for Mani Ratnam's upcoming film, Thug Life. The film, starring Kamal Haasan, is scheduled for release on June 5, 2025.