Rahman had already thrilled listeners down South with his work in Thiruda Thiruda, but as soon as the master burst onto the scene with Mani Ratnam's Roja, the Indian soundtrack changed forever.

Rahman showed us sweeping soundscapes of passion, simple love ditties, and use of unconventional singers (Baba Sehgal sang Rukmani Rukmani) all with his very first go, and made sure our ears expected more from him forever. An absolutely Tendulkaresque debut, this.