Jai Ho (song)

"Jai Ho" is a song composed by A. R. Rahman for the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire. When Danny Boyle, the director of Slumdog Millionaire, approached Rahman to compose its soundtrack, he included the song. "Jai Ho" accompanies a choreographed dance sequence at the end credits of the film (choreographed by Longinus Fernandes). Indian singer Tanvi Shah wrote and provided vocals for an English section of the song. "Jai Ho" is a phrase which can be roughly translated as "Let [the] victory prevail", "Let there be victory", or "May there always be victory".

"Jai Ho" was, at the time of its release, "the toast of the town in almost every part of the world".^[1] Covers and remixes of the song and performances of the "Jai Ho" dance were posted on YouTube. "Jai Ho" received widespread acclaim from music critics, who cited it as the best song on the Slumdog Millionaire soundtrack. The song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media. It was also the official campaign song of the Indian National Congress during the 2009 election. It was the only Indian song to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song until "Naatu Naatu" from RRR (2022).^[2]

American girl group the Pussycat Dolls recorded an English interpretation of "Jai Ho". Entitled "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)", and credited to 'A. R. Rahman and the Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger', the song appeared on the re-release of the group's second studio album Doll Domination (2008).