Sun Nov 17 18:34:49 UTC 2024: ## A.R. Rahman Awarded for Innovative VR Film at IIT Madras

**Chennai, November 18, 2024** – Oscar-winning music composer A.R. Rahman received the XTIC Award 2024 for Innovation on Sunday at IIT Madras. The award, presented by Oculus co-inventors Professor Steven LaValle and Professor Anna LaValle, recognizes Rahman’s groundbreaking 37-minute virtual reality (VR) film, *Le Musk*.

*Le Musk*, directed and produced by Rahman, offers an immersive cinematic experience by integrating scent, motion, and music. Speaking at the award ceremony, Rahman highlighted the growing affordability of VR technology, citing the availability of Oculus headsets for around $300 and a comparable Indian option. He acknowledged current technical limitations, such as camera synchronization challenges, but emphasized the potential for VR to coexist with traditional cinema.

Rahman urged Indian students to pursue careers in VR and contribute to the development of future technologies within India. He expressed his belief that India has the potential to become a global leader in technological innovation, questioning why the next major technological breakthroughs aren’t originating from the country. He also noted the significant number of Indians working for major international tech companies, prompting his call for greater governmental support and investment in the field. Rahman chose to produce *Le Musk* in English to ensure its international reach.

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