Their next movie together was ‘Iruvar’ which was Aishwarya Rai’s first film. The movie featured the lovely composition, ‘Narumugaye’. Dil Se which released in 1998 was another spectacular hit of the duo. The movie had a compelling story line and Rahman’s music went along with it perfectly. ‘Dil Se’ was originally Hindi and was also dubbed into Tamil and Telugu.

It was in 2002, India saw the greatest movie ever to be created, ‘Alaipayuthe’. The beautiful movie appealed to all the romantics within us. Alaipayuthe was an epitome of simplicity and elegance. The movie had a unique freshness in it and attracted everyone with its magic. Songs like ‘Pachai Nirame’, ‘Snehithane’ and ‘Kadhal Sadugudu’ drew us all in.

Since then the road was pure success. Their rawness within them. Kannathil Muthamital released in 2002 was one such example. “Other directors tell me to add something when I offer a simple tune. With Mani, I can do what I like. ‘Vellai Pookal’, with just a guitar and a voice, is one example,” said Rahman in an interview.

Movies like Ayutha Ezhuthu, Guru, Raavanan and Kadal came in the following years. They all held the same Rahman-Ratnam spark in them. Every single minute of the movies and every single song they had was a treat. They had a strong visual appeal and were filled with entrancing songs.