AR Rahman Honored with XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation in Virtual Reality Film Le Musk

Famed music composer AR Rahman was recently honored with the XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation by IIT Madras, acknowledging his pioneering efforts in the virtual reality film Le Musk.This prestigious honor was presented by the eXperiential Technology Innovation Centre (XTIC), a leading institute dedicated to the advancement of Virtual Reality and related technologies.

In his speech, Rahman expressed immense pride in being recognized by such a prestigious institution like IIT Madras. He shared, "I feel truly honored to see an institution like IIT in Chennai, which has been the birthplace of countless success stories. I first visited this campus at the age of 13. Le Musk represents my attempt to explore global experiences from India. While I was recognized in Hollywood, being awarded in my hometown adds a unique and personal value to this achievement."

The XTIC Award was presented by Professor Steven LaValle and Professor Anna Lavalle, co-inventors of Oculus and visiting faculty members at IIT Madras, highlighting Rahman's significant contribution to immersive storytelling. During his acceptance speech, Rahman stressed the need for innovation in technology, stating, "Creating this film required cutting-edge cameras and equipment. When I visit tech giants like Microsoft and Intel, I wonder why India hasn’t yet produced companies like Apple or Nvidia. The government must play a key role in fostering such innovation. Personally, I have invested a great deal of time and resources into this passion project, and I believe that VR technology can serve multiple purposes, such as virtual temple visits and weddings."