All You Need To Know About ‘Secret Mountain’

AR Rahman, the Oscar-winning composer behind Slumdog Millionaire, has partnered with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to launch Secret Mountain; an immersive, AI-driven music and storytelling experience set in the metaverse. The project aims to showcase a cross-cultural musical universe enriched by artificial intelligence, while keeping human emotion and creativity at its core.

Rahman and Altman’s meeting, described by the composer as a “beautiful union of art and technology,” signals a leap into a new frontier where musicians, technologists and storytellers collaborate to push the boundaries of expression. 

“It was a pleasure meet @sama at his office … we discussed ‘Secret Mountain’, our virtual global band, and to empower and uplift Indian minds to use AI tools to address generational challenges and lead the way forward,” Rahman wrote on social media alongside a picture of the two smiling for the camera.

While the exact launch date of the platform has not yet been announced, the project is positioned as a subscription-based offering.

Strategic Pricing

One of the most surprising aspects of Secret Mountain is its pricing model. In a world where AI-led platforms are often high-end or niche, Rahman revealed that Secret Mountain will cost just Rs 49 a month.

This pricing is aimed at making the platform “accessible and affordable for all,” particularly for users in India. The initiative appears designed not only to attract younger audiences but also to ensure a democratised reach for music and storytelling in the metaverse.

Secret Mountain: Music, Myth, and AI Collide

Back in February, Rahman uploaded a five-minute video on YouTube titled Introducing the Secret Mountain.

Narrated by a character named Luna, the video teased an immersive AI-driven story about a young woman transported to a fantastical world where she meets diverse musical characters. “Like most of us, I have been wandering the jungle instead of gratification, dooms of scrolling,” Luna says, setting the tone for a surreal experience that merges animation, sound and cultural narrative.

Music Beyond Borders

Rahman’s creative philosophy continues to anchor this venture. Known for avoiding “muscle memory,” the composer once again underlines the value of originality. “I consciously avoid repetition,” Rahman explains. “AI can be a starting point,” he adds, “but the human element, the emotional depth and creativity, remains irreplaceable.”

With Secret Mountain, he is building what he calls a Meta Band; an ensemble of global voices from Ireland, China, Africa, and India; to show how music transcends borders. These musicians will not only perform but also mentor, creating a rich collaborative platform that breaks geographical and cultural silos.

Rahman’s Expanding Creative Universe

The composer’s vision doesn’t stop at AI or metaverse music. He is currently working with Hans Zimmer on the soundtrack for Ramayana, a two-part film adaptation directed by Nitesh Tiwari and starring Ranbir Kapoor.

Rahman, who won two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, continues to blend tradition with innovation, and Secret Mountain is yet another chapter in his genre-defying journey.

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