AR Rahman Celebrates Nephew GV Prakash Kumar’s National Award Win

Jyoti Rathi - Kolkata Bureau Jul 20, 2026 2,950 Views

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has publicly congratulated his nephew, GV Prakash Kumar, for winning his third National Film Award for the background score of Amaran. Rahman celebrated the achievement as a collective family milestone, noting that the duo and their family have now secured 10 National Awards in total.

Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman has hailed nephew GV Prakash Kumar’s third National Film Award win as a landmark milestone for their family.

CHENNAI — The Indian film fraternity is celebrating a significant achievement as music composer and actor GV Prakash Kumar secured his third National Film Award. The award for Best Music Direction (Background Score) was presented to Kumar for his work on the 2024 film Amaran at the 72nd National Film Awards.

The announcement drew widespread praise, with a particularly emotional tribute coming from his maternal uncle, the globally acclaimed composer AR Rahman. Taking to social media on July 19, 2026, Rahman expressed his pride in his nephew's continued success and the collective legacy of their musical family.

A Milestone for a Musical Family

In a congratulatory post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahman noted the significance of the achievement, highlighting that the family has now collectively garnered 10 National Awards.

"Congratulations, @gvprakash, on your 3rd National Award. A proud moment for our family as we celebrate our 10th National Award together. Your passion, sincerity, and dedication to music continue to inspire. Wishing you many more milestones ahead. God bless," Rahman wrote, concluding the post with his trademark salutation, "EPI" (Ella Pugazhum Iraivanukke, meaning "All Glory to God").

GV Prakash Kumar’s Musical Legacy

GV Prakash Kumar has cemented his status as one of Tamil cinema's most prominent composers with this third accolade. His previous National Award wins include:

Best Music Direction (Background Score) for the film Soorarai Pottru (2021).
Best Music Direction (Songs) for the film Vaathi (2023).

In his own statement following the win, Kumar expressed deep humility and gratitude. "Winning this prestigious honour for the third time is truly a blessing, and I accept it with a heart full of gratitude," he stated, while specifically thanking Amaran producer Kamal Haasan and director Rajkumar Periasamy for their support during the film's production.

Why It Matters

For fans and the industry, the exchange between Rahman and Kumar underscores the deep professional and personal bond shared by the two musicians. It also highlights the generational impact of the family, which began with their patriarch R.K. Shekhar and continues to shape Indian cinema's sonic landscape. The collective recognition of their work at the National Film Awards serves as a benchmark for excellence in Indian music composition.

Key Facts at a Glance

Award Recipient: GV Prakash Kumar.
Award Category: Best Music Direction (Background Score) for the film Amaran.
Career Milestone: This marks Kumar’s third National Film Award.
Family Achievement: AR Rahman noted that this win brings the family's total count of National Awards to 10.

FAQ

What film earned GV Prakash Kumar his latest National Award? Kumar won the award for his background score in the 2024 film Amaran.

How many National Awards has GV Prakash Kumar won? This latest award marks his third National Film Award.

What was AR Rahman’s reaction to the win? AR Rahman celebrated the win on social media, calling it a proud moment for their family and noting their collective achievement of 10 National Awards.

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