‘Hindustani Way’: AR Rahman, Ananya Birla’s Cheer Song For Indian Olympics Contingent Features At Times Square

Ananya Birla, a singer-songwriter, teamed with Academy Award-winning composer AR Rahman on the song "Hindustani Way," which has been designated as the official cheer song for the Indian Olympic team in Tokyo 2020. Rahman won the Academy Award for Slumdog Millionaire's Jai Ho in 2008. He is a master at producing inspiring and adrenaline-pumping tunes.The song JAI HO was the inspiration for the Hindustani Way composition, according to Ananya.

“I believe Jai Ho is iconic and unrivalled. It will never be. That shouldn't be. In fact, while putting out Hindustani Way, Jai Ho inspired me greatly,” Ananya added. When questioned about her experience working with Rahman, she said she was overjoyed when she learned about the opportunity.”

“I was jumping on my bed,” Ananya Birla explained. I am incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to work with someone who has been regarded as a stalwart by so many generations. Every singer in the world, I believe, aspires to have that one single with AR Rahman's name on it. It's certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to cross something off my bucket list.”

“I am in awe of everything what Rehman sir has accomplished. There is no one I would prefer have collaborated with on something as important as a song to support and cheer for our Olympians.”

She also said, “We were both extremely concerned with getting the track just right and expressing that patriotic spirit in honour of our incredible athletes.”
Also Read: ‘Who is AR Rahman?’: Nandamuri Balakrishna's controversial comment; feud between Tamil and Telugu fans

The song Hindustani Way is also featured on the Times Square building in New York.

After seeing the song's poster on the Times Square building in New York, Ananya was overjoyed. She posted a few photos to Instagram and thanked all of her fans and followers for their support throughout the song's journey.

She wrote, “The Hindustani Way made it to Times Square!!!! Thank you soo much for all your love. Also a big thank you to the Sports Ministry of India! #cheer4india @arrahman @weareteamindia.” The first one to drop her love in the comment box was her mother. She wrote, “So proud to see you Soaring High!.” Ananya thanked her mother and wrote, “ Ananya Birla @neerja_birla pranam mom.” Vj Anusha also wrote on the same in the comment section and wrote, “Ughhhhhh whaaaaaat!!! Sorry, my bestie is on Times Square I’m busy! Bye! GET IT Nanu!!!.” Anaya replied to the love and wrote, “@vjanusha LOVE YOU BOOSHI.” 

About Olympic contingents she said that we were all motivated to create something that showed our countrymen's love and the spirit of these incredible athletes competing in this year's Olympics. That was all we had in mind, and that was plenty of motivation. Some of our 126 athletes have overcome enormous obstacles to get to where they are now, and each of them has put in a tremendous amount of effort, and we should all be proud of them.”

Also Read: Writer Taslima Nasreen feels suffocated on seeing AR Rahman's daughter

She also remembered how she blown away by boxer Marry Kom. She said “I first met Mary Kom in 2019 when she appeared in the video for my song Unstoppable, and when she informed me about her training routine, I was completely awestruck and admired her. They're all incredible, and I can't wait to see them in action and see our country shine.”

The song Hindustani Way included Olympic archival footage from Atlanta (1996), Athens (2004), Beijing (2002, 2008), Rio (2016), London (2012), and exclusive training footage of 2021 India’s olympic contingents.