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Music composer A R Rahman talks to CNN-IBN's Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand on life after winning two Oscars, his music and meeting Michael Jackson.
Rajeev Masand: There is a popular perception even among your greatest fans that Jai Ho and the music of Slumdog Millionaire isn't your best work?
A R Rahman: It's not that they gave me an Oscar for my life, they game the Oscar for the particular film and how different the music and theme was for the film. so, I'm really proud of Slumdog Millionaire's music and of Jai Ho. This stood apart from every other film that came out in its message, direction, scriptwriting and everything.
Rajeev Masand: You have always said that healthy arguments with your directors, lyricists has often resulted in the creation of some very good music. I'm guessing after the Oscars no one really argues, disputes your suggestions anymore?
A R Rahman: I don't know if it really works that way. In the interest of any big film, there are always arguments because there is a vision which is always the director's. If you are sensible you will go with the vision. You can't say that I've made a beautiful song so fit it in your movie.
Rajeev Masand: So do they argue with a two Oscar winner?
A R Rahman: No they don't out of respect, but we need to follow the dharma (philosophy) of the art.
Rajeev Masand: You met Michael Jackson shortly after the Oscars. You have said he has had an influence on you and Thriller was the first cassette you owned. Tell us what that meeting was like?
A R Rahman: Every musician would wait for a Michael Jackson album to come out. It comes once in five years. We get hooked on it so much that it stays with us for the rest of our lives. I was supposed to me Michael during a concert in 1999 for helping Africa. He had a mishap on that concert, so I couldn't meet him.
After nine years when I went to Los Angeles, my agent said I'm going to meet Randy - who manages Michael - so I asked if I could meet him? My agent mailed Randy asking if he wanted to meet me, three days before the Oscars we got an email saying Michael wants to meet me.
So I met him after the Oscars finished, won the Oscars and went to meet him. We thought the meeting would be five minutes, it lasted two hours. We just sat and he spoke about the chord progression of what I've written. I told him that India adores Michael Jackson. I told him how we all grew up on his music and he said 'you're very kind'. I met his children, he introduced me to them.
He called me three-four times when I was in Chennai. When I met him again he asked me to do a song on the lines of We are the world for him. He said I could conduct the whole thing. I was shocked. But before we could get into that he started going to the rehearsals. The next thing I get to hear is that he's dead. It was a real shocker.
Courtesy: IBN
I told Michael Jackson India adores him: Rahman
Jagjit Singh questions Rahman's talent
I feel very disturbed by such senior artists bashing out without proper reason. Does he feel jealous about our boss winning Golden Globe and nominations for OSCAR and not him???
But anyway our boss is not going to reply him back by words, but by his music. He is calm, versatile and humble that he will not seems to reply to such silly comments.
Watch the video:
I was terrified: AR Rahman-NDTV Interview
Music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to win a Golden Globe, was very nervous at the award ceremony as he did not want to let down a billion people back home in India.
YouTube Video embedded. If you are unable to view visit http://arrtheboss.blogspot.com/
The Cast of "Slumdog Millionaire" Does a Bollywood Dance! on Ellen's Show
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Exclusive interview with Times of India
The songs of Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na are distinctly different from what you’ve churned out recently. What’s the reason behind this? Well the idiom of the JTYJN is very different and that’s why I have also tried and used single notes of sounds and simple guitar tunes. Director Abbas Tyerwala has a lot of knowledge in music and knew what he wanted as far as the sound is concerned.
Among Bollywood composers, Pritam gives a lot of scope to young artistes. How much of space do you give to newcomers? Well, whenever I get a chance and I think a young and fresh voice would do perfect justice to my composition, I definitely like to give chance to a young artiste. In fact, in JTYJN a couple of songs like Aditi and Pappu Can’t Dance are sung by newcomers and I think they have done a brilliant job.
Among your contemporary composers, whose works do you find interesting? Well all the composers right now are really good, they all are capable of delivering good songs. For instance, Vishal and Shekhar, Pritam etc. are really good.
You are always accused of keeping the best song of each film you compose music of for yourself ? (Laughs) No. It’s the producers and directors who like the way I sing and want me to sing for their films. For JTYJN, it was the other way round. I thought I would have liked to sing the title track. But Abbas was dead against it. It was only when he heard it that he actually fell in love with it.
Your and Aamir’s association has always given out some really good songs. Do you think you too will recreate the same magic of Lagaan and Rangeela? It is a happy coincidence that we’ve both been on projects where music has played an important role. Our relationships in these films were of an actor and a music director where the interaction is almost minimum. On JTYJN, though, he was playing a producer. Our interaction has been minimum. In fact, when Abbas and I wouldn’t budge on certain issues, it was Aamir who played the role of peacemaker. My relationship with Aamir is very personal and we are friends.
Didn’t you fear that people would compare your title track with the original number?
I really like the title track of the film. I was a bit apprehensive since it was a very popular yesteryear number. To give music to such a number always brings along the fear of comparison. However, I have treated it as the music for today’s generation who may have not heard the original song.
Since film music is so popular in India, do you think we’ve reached a stage where parents would encourage if their children wanted to earn a living by composing. Or do they still want composing to be left as a part-time job? Of course, I think film music is gaining a lot of popularity. So, many music reality shows are coming up and the turnover for such shows is massive. There is so much of competition in here. Music composition has become very challenging and thus should be taken seriously and not as a part-time job. As far as parents go, they should encourage their children because if they have the knack for composing, they can definitely go a long way. I think hard work always gets paid.
You have an official website. Do you intend to start blogging someday? And if you do so, are you going to address key issues plaguing the Indian music industry through your blog? I am not sure if I’ll start blogging but if I do at any point of time, I’ll definitely try to bring up issues plaguing the Indian music industry and other issues as well.
Listen to the peppy song from Janne Tu Ya Jaane Na - From the promo
When one learns that AR Rahman is giving music for a particular song/film, the expectation grows. Do you feel the pressure on yourself? No. It inspires me to give better music. I work for myself and want to give good music.
Old and rare interview of A R Rahman in Doordharsan
Interview of AR Rahman (When he was almost unknown) in Surabhi in Doordharshan
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Blaaze speaks about PFMB, ARR
Blaaze speaks about Pray For Me Brother and A R Rahman.
This video is from DVD accompanied with Pray For Me Brother...
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AR Rahman Asianet Interview
May 3, 2008
Voice Over: The music Rahman has been composing ever since Roja has captured the hearts of millions across the world.
"Do you pick up music from your sorroundings, and may be subconsciously perhaps?
Subconsciously I like to see what is happening in the area, like I was very pretty surprised when I went to Jeddah, and find the seal of Lebanon and Beirut, making a different kind of music. And Dubai ofcourse is another big creative place where I have been to. I have not followed that much because I have been involved in something else like Lord of the Rings and Elizabeth and my own projects which were K M Music. But I think it evolved in it, like Arabic music. There is a quality production at the same time maintaining the tradition of the Makkah..
"Do you obviously try to bring in the new element, let's say, like if it's Arabic or Sufi that now that affects you, do you try to subconsciously bring them to the songs that you do? Or is it really technical…
I…it's that it's mostly dependent on the Director. If something is good I tell them that you wanna hear this and he hears it and if they like it they embrace it, if they don't then I keep it as it.
Since you mentioned Lord of the Rings, you just completed album with that Warriors of Heaven and Earth, the Chinese movie… I mean you are really going international. Is it something that you really aspired for? What does it mean to you, this international reputation?
…For me I think music is…when I do music for a Tamil movie it is as respectful as when I do it for a Hollywood film. I don't think "oh it is a Tamil movie, let me do it all shoddy…give more finished work…(blurring )…hopefully I treat them all equally, whether it's American audience or Indian audience. And that's other one of the reasons why it transcends the audience.
When you work with the western orchestra, what is one similarity or one difference that you find compared to the Indian team with which you work?
I…here, I think once you work with musicians you know, you just have to say, we have to begin something and they will end that for you, they can take it further. But when you work with musicians you don't know, especially cast and orchestra, you need to write everything, you need to show them all, so you can't have it in mind and think that you can pull it off. You need to…there's a full process of orchestrating and copying down the stuff to the orchestra…
So it is more challenging?
It's not challenging, it's just the step towards that. I can't now wake up in the afternoon and say "call the orchestra, let me do a song." I can do that in Chennai. But I can't do that else. I need to have an orchestra booked three months in advance, I want to finish the scoring and then on the day of the recording they play. So it can't be done overnight. Everybody is preoccupied.
People complain that Indian musicians lack the dedication that classical musicians feel the rest have. What do you think about it?
I don't agree the generalization of dedicated/non-dedicated people. I think those who are dedicated are dedicated in a different way. You can't compare with them, they are unique in their own way, and they are unique in their own way. Because the infrastructure is built in such a way that it is organized, in the West. But here due to various different thing...lack of unity…may be it suffered a bit. But now hopefully things will get better.
Will K M Music Conservatory be one step towards that?
True music conservatory is definitely a step towards that because we have it all in us and it just needs that one step of organizing, or, helping to give infrastructure where they can play any kind of music and they can, in one step, jump to go to international arena.
And focusing on bringing more Western song music to Indian music through this institution?
No, it's not that why it works actually. It's acquiring more perception, and…generating more jobs, generating more passion, generating more shows and…so many other things. I think once it happen I'll also be more convinced than at this stage…
You also have a school of musical tradition as part of the conservatory. So are you actually encouraging people to learn the instruments that are fairly old? Considering that you have been accused of bringing in technology to music, you know, is it sort of repentance for that?
It is not a repentance. It is the way of life now. Because if somebody knows only one way, one little thing and they don't know the other thing, they cannot complain that this came in, like the video came and the radio starved (smiles). Let there be both and let them have a choice. If given an opportunity I'd have learned, that time, I would have gone to conservatory and all. But we all came up the hard way, so I think if they provided with the right sort of education, we can see much more music. We are only accusing "oh music is not like that those days", but nobody has ever thought of giving that to the people to educate them in the right way. Well, if somebody wants to get educated, the rich could go to Europe or America and learn, the poor could go nowhere.
Right
So..
So is it a paying back to the society today?
Also, it is also a selfish reason.
What is the selfish reason?
Selfish reason is that I'll be listening to the orchestra for five years and I'd be having an orchestra of our own, in five years or three years, or ten years, but the seed had to be sown, and it had to be done now.
How do you respond to that allegation you are clinging on, you are depending too much on technology? Do you feel…
I don't think it is an allegation, it's just…sometimes ignorance, sometimes lack of understanding of what they say. If you say, now that you are carrying a camera, (pointing at the camera), if I say you should use a machine old camera…you are using the technology to capture me. So that is not a…that's a progress. So certain things are progress, certain things are… If I make good music with whatever it is, then it is… it's a progress for me. If I deteriorate from that, if I'm making noise, so you are going to technology and making something irritating which I shouldn't like
But doesn't that happen now too often in modern music? Don't you feel, see, hear…
There is, there's good and there's bad. And we have to filter it, I think. That happens in every era I think. Mediocrity is in every era. That shortcut to creativity always happens.
Voice Over: Other than music, Rahman is involved in many humanitarian actions too. Rahman founded the A R Rahman Foundation with the aim of wiping out poverty from the face of the earth. Rahman was appointed as the Global Ambassador of Stop TB Partnership of WHO in April 2004. Albums like Pray For Me Brother, Indian Ocean etc depict Rahman's interest in humanitarian endeavours.
Is mediocrity what irritates you the most?
Definitely, all of us. And that is the reason for K M Music Conservatory. I feel, if we build up musicians, we muster them for melody and harmony, and they will never do that. Because they can never allow their conscience to go against what they have learnt. They'd give that, you know, beautiful format. They would take it further what good people have left.
You have once said that, you know, what Indian music now lacks is perhaps is a powerful, overwhelming male voice. Do you still stick to that?
(eh)…well, there was a time when people used to love this kara kara(rough) voice, which is not there now. The last I'dthink was Jesudas having that, probably Jagjit Singh and all..
But then you hardly use him these days, is it like you are giving a chance to newcomers?
No. What I have been doing is, I am doing very experimental stuff. I have never done the very straight stuff. In my understanding I am a rebel in my own way. I'd like do all the movies. I'd say "Give me all the movies, I'll do all of them". Then I'm responsible for that. I want to do things which excite me, which take me more, excite me, and take me to another spectrum of the music which has not been explored.
That makes you a rebel with a cause. What would be your cause?
(Laughing)…My cause is to give people something interesting. Because when you have something interesting…I want something interesting to listen to, I want to make something interesting to listen to. …of course…
Obviously there is something more in it. Anyone..a lot of people make music, which is interesting…I am sure you have something more spiritual, perhaps, than that.
Well, I think, definitely. Without any blessing I would be nothing. I believe that making peace out of chaos, making
What personal was perhaps the experience doing Pray For Me Brother? Was it a personal…Did it haunt you personally?
Pray For Me Brother…it did haunt me, because that is the only one thing which we always say to people, when friends meet they say oh brother I'm so pray for me, or I'd say to somebody, so that, whatever it is connotating, it is the only thing that we exchange. So I thought that is a good outline to have as a song. It's not about giving money, it's about wishing someone good.
It was thought provoking. I think that music must have helped in some way. Do you believe that these things actually make a difference?
At least the people have noticed, people have in a corner of their heart it's laid a seat. And lots have thought twice before spending money for unnecessary reason. This one could have done for that. So I just want that to be an inspiration. Not a solution. So in that way I think it did.
Do you go back to your pre-ghazal (that's what it sounded to me)days, when you are struggling, you are working. Do you do that ever?
I don't. (both laughs). Not that I have to, I think of the future always. Because the past sometimes is bad. It only brings the venom and brings the bad memories. And that's what is happening in the whole country, perhaps, the whole world. "You have done this to me long back, let me do it again now". It's just pointless. Good experience…definitely I'm grateful and have my gratitude towards them, but bad things I keep forgetting and thank you very much.
Sorry, but I have to take you to the past and considering that you have spend some part of your life in Kerala. What memories of Kerala you have
Kerala, I think…very laid back people, very honest…well…I…my first recording…actually Kerala was in my house. When I used to come out of my house I used to see musicians, producers, and directors, all waiting for my father, assistants and singers…so the whole of Kerala was in Tamil Nadu. You know, the whole industry was there. And it was like a family, a family of Malayalam and Telugu and Kannada men. My father was involved in so many different, he was assistant to so many different music composers. He was probably like a nucleus for everyone, and that's a reason he died, he go overworked. The lesson I learnt from him was not to overwork and worn out yourselves, because you need something for yourself.
Is it possible for you to follow that?
Ya, I tried it, and that is why I did one movie in six days
You keep visiting Kerala, on and off regularly on personal trip. Did you go to your father's place?
I did go to Kerala recently. I went for Muthu, I went for Padayappa , for an ad for Worldspace…
But you have never done a movie in Malayalam after Yodha. Has it been deliberate?
It's no deliberate. Just that I need something exciting. There were some movies which were very close to execution, but then it fell out, because of various reasons.
Can I give a suggestion perhaps. Considering that you bring in a lot of different world sounds, from different parts of the world, how about doing a song only with Kerala musical instruments?
Good Idea. In fact one of the bands gave me all the percussion instruments after an award I gave. They were so moved they gave me all the instruments they played, still I have that, I don't know what to do with it.
Why don't you consider doing something, perhaps for Asianet?
Asianet…
For your own reason…but something…
Well, there will be something, you never know. When it'll come.
Where does it, when does the spark come in, when do you realize that I am going to work on this and not on that?
I don't know, because there are some albums which I have done, Dakshinamoorthy Swami has composed it…(some part missing)
Do you think you are perhaps handicapped if you weren't too well versed in Carnatic or Hindustani music?
No I don't think so, because if I was fully into one music, I wouldn't have embraced the other kind of music, but the idea of going something, having the object of look on musical landscapes, the landscapes are different. There are extraordinary geniuses in Carnatic music, and Hindustani and every…But I felt that because my understanding is more from a distant point of view I can get away with certain kinds of things which I can't if I had known too much of nuances.
Sometimes… you picked up (some singers name) randomly pull out of audience and make them stars. What is it that make you feel that this star material, this is the guy who will make it work?
I never do that. They have it in them and that's what happens. I can never make a person star. What I can do is I can just try them out and if they have it in them, it shows, adrenalin comes in, the life comes out, and nobody can halt that.
Where does the role of a composer begin, and a singer begin? Where is that dichotomy? Is there a dichotomy at all? Or who needs to be credited for a song's success?
I think we are all instruments, we are all acting upon what we have to do. So nobody is in control, God is in control. And when Minmini just came and sang the track, so God wanted that to happen.
Are you treating it very spiritually this way?
I am in a way, actually, because things are put together, and because you believe in good things, I feel that things come together.. even if you want, sometimes you want a singer for a song for a concert and they don't come for ages and you call another singer, he sings the song and it becomes much better, and this happens everytime. And then you think that may be he was the person to sing this song.
But what is one song you would want to give in birth for?
I don't know.
Something which is very close to your heart?
I cannot …each person has one, no two people will say the same song. They are all beautiful. So I give respect to them ,and nothing to comment.
Thank you very much.
part 1http://youtube.com/watch?v=IpxH961k018
part 2http://youtube.com/watch?v=G5OspKHmYYg
part3http://youtube.com/watch?v=GElvy39Fctc
part4http://youtube.com/watch?v=mDN-x3xWQSY
Interview Courtesy: rahmaniyat dot blogspot dot com
I owe my career to AR Rahman
The words are from Sukwinder Sing(h) : as he likes to call. Read the interview with him which appeared in santabanta.com
How did Chaiyya Chaiyya happen?
After my number Mujhe Rang De clicked, Rahman asked me to write lyrics for Dil Se too, when I explained to him about Peer Baba Bhuleshah.
Immediately I reminded him that in the first place I had actually gone to him to sing for him and not write lyrics. Rahman asked me if I could sing too and I told him that I only wanted to sang since my name is Sukhwinder Sing (h) I told him that whenever I sang, I felt like I was also listening to my song.
Did he readily ask you to sing Chaiyya Chaiyya in Dil Se?
I had to narrate Chaiyya Chaiyya in English to him. While Rahman did not understand Hindi at all, I did not understand a word of English or Tamil.
In fact after I wrote the first draft, Mani Ratnam felt that the song did not work out the way he wanted and walked out. It was only after some one explained to him correctly that he okayed the song for the film.
Since I am not good in English, while explaining the lyrics I said I'd kill myself instead of saying I'd be dead, because I could not translate properly from Hindi to English to Mani sir.
What has been the contribution of Rahman to your career?
A.R. Rahman has contributed a lot to my career. I owe my career to him. It is he who had made me reach the nook and corner of the world with his songs. My career actually started in Chennai and hence I call myself Sukhwinder Singh Iyer and not just Sukhwinder Singh.
Despite being a pucca Punjabi, how do you manage to sing in Tamil?
It is always the performance that matters when you sing, not the language. In any case I thin k I can sing in any language other than English. Ricky Martin sings only in Spanish. I have sung in Tamil for music directors like Deva and Rajkumar too, besides Rahman.
Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein - What ARR has to say?
The last song to appear in Jodhaa Akbar, Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein, is one of the most haunting songs composed by A R Rahman.
But like many of his fabled compositions, this one will also take time to make a lasting impact. The song is used mostly in the background, as Jodhaa and Akbar make love for the first time.
The number is sung by Sonu Nigam, and Madhushree who, in recent years, has emerged as one of Rahman's favourites.
The composer says the song challenged him considerably.
"It comes in the climax of the film," he says. "It was very important to have the song right. If it is too slow, it will bring the whole energy down. If it is too fast, it won't do justice to the situation. The end of the film shows Jodhaa finally loving Akbar for the first time since their wedding."
He had to play 'a kind of dynamic composition where it starts on a soothing note, and then goes to the big chorus,' he says.
"It has a full journey in it," he adds. "I think it is very good."
Interview Courtesy: Rediff.com
Dilse from Sukhwinder Singh
From Chaiyyan Chaiyyan in Dil Se to Dard-e-Disco in Om Shanti Om, Sukhwinder Singh has made a place for himself. Counted among the top most singers in the industry, Sukhwinder is happy scaling newer heights with each number he delivers.
Topping his list presently is Subhash Ghai’s Black & White where the singer is also composing music. In a heart-to-heart talk with KT, he tell us all.
How has your journey been from Karma (1986) to Dard-e-disco?
It’s been great. I’ve learnt a lot from the industry and I am still learning.
How’s the music of Black & White (B&W) different from your other songs?
The music of this film is totally sufiyana with a classical touch. Since the subject of the film is also quite different from the regular ones, Subhash Saab specially asked me to create different music for the film. In fact the song Mai chala in the film is purely a mix of folk and sufiyana style.
How’s it working with Subhash Ghai?
Subhash Ghai is like my Godfather. He was the one who gave me my break in the industry with Karma. Before B&W also, he gave me the chance to pen lyrics Iqbal. And this time I am composing music for the whole film.
From playback singing to writing lyrics to music direction. How has it been?
It’s not been that easy. I’ve worked day and night to take that leap from playback singing to writing lyrics. And once I gained confidence on that end, I took to composing music too. All the credit goes to God and the hard work I put in. To sustain the image I have in the industry, I have to labour.
Many films you composed music for didn’t do well at the BO. Does that bother you?
Films not doing well at the BO is not my problem and not my fault. That’s the audiences’ wish as to which movie they want to watch. I’m here to sing and compose music and as long as I’m doing that fine, I’m not bothered.
What kind of music pleases you personally?
It totally depends upon my mood. I may want to hear ghazals some day and then switch to Sufi and classical the next day.
Given your husky voice, which female singer do you think matches your voice the best while giving a duet?
My voice matches the best with Sunidhi Chauhan. Though it’s good with Shreya Ghoshal also.
There was news about AR Rahman declaring that he would not work with you after Dil Se?
(Laughs) Rahman saab aisa bol hi nahi sakte. In fact he has always told me “ Jab mai tere saath kaam karta hun toh alag hi mazaa aata hai kyunki tu dil se gaata hai.”
Your private album have been equally liked. Do we have any album coming up soon?
Nahi nahi abhi time lage ga. Abhi toh mai Black & White aur baaki films ke music mai busy hun, agar time mila too zaroor banaunga.
Among your own songs, which one’s closest to your heart?
Chal Chal mere sang sang from the film Astitva.
After making a presence onscreen in filmi songs, any plans to take up acting?
Why not agar woh offer Shah Rukh ne chor diya ho toh zaroor kaam karunga. (laughs)
Is it true you are working in Hollywood?
Yes I’m singing Chhaiya Chhaiya once more for Steven Spielberg’s Inside Man.
With new singers making a mark everyday, do you fear the rising competition?
Kis baat ka competition? I am what I am. The image that I have today, newcomers will take time to come close to that. I have already crossed my half way to touch the sky.
What’s next?
Currently, I am doing Yuvraaj with AR Rahman and Tashan with Vishal-Shekhar. I’m also doing Vishal Bhardwaj’s Julia.
Chat about Jodha Akbar on MTV
View the five series of videos posted by AishRay to youtube here exclusively:
The first part
The second part
The third part
The fourth part
The final/fifth part
Courtesy and Thanks to AishRay for the videos.
Chat about Jodha Akbar - 5
The chat show has been organized by MTV on its 70mm programme. The hosts are Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowraiker.
This is the last part of five.
Click here to see the fourth part
Want more on Jodha Akbar??? Check out the lyrics of all songs by visiting the links below:Azeem O Shaan
Jash E Baharaa
Khwaja mere khwaja
In Lamhon ke
Man Mohana Song
Chat about Jodha Akbar - 4
The chat show has been organized by MTV on its 70mm programme. The hosts are Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowraiker.
This is the fourth part of five.
Chat about Jodha Akbar - 3
The chat show has been organized by MTV on its 70mm programme. The hosts are Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowraiker.
This is the third part of five.
Chat about Jodha Akbar - 2
The chat show has been organized by MTV on its 70mm programme. The hosts are Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowraiker.
This is the second part of five.
Click here to see the third part
Chat about Jodha Akbar - 1
The chat show has been organized by MTV on its 70mm programme. The hosts are Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Ashutosh Gowraiker.
This is the first part of five.
Click here to see the second part.
A R Rahmans favourite track in Jodha Akbar
“I like everything,” AR Rahman stated when I asked him to identify his favourite track from this week’s release, Jodhaa Akbar. India’s biggest and best music composer provides the music for the Aishwarya Rai-Hrithik Roshan historical romance. The shy musical genius was unable to name a specific number as his favourite when I insisted. After a thoughtful pause, Rahman replied again: “I like everything.”
The ‘Mozart from Madras’ was in London this week to launch the original cast recording CD of his latest international project, the West End musical, The Lord of the Rings. This is his second London West End project after the successful Andrew Lloyd Webber production, Bombay Dreams. How does Rahman feel about his global success? “It’s nice to be recognised from brand Bollywood to international composer.”
Matthew Warchus, director of the Rings musical, is clearly pleased with the Elizabeth composer. He told me at the reception that he would “happily work with Rahman on anything” as he has “an extraordinary musical voice.” Varttina, the co-composer of the music, was less knowledgeable when I asked him if he liked any of Rahman’s Tamil music. “That question is too specific for me,” the Finn admitted.
Fans new to Rahmans’ work should seek out the classic Hindi soundtracks of Roja, Bombay, and Dil Se and, of course, the melodic Jodhaa Akbar, now!
It’s not a historical
The wait is over! The aforementioned Jodhaa Akbar, the year’s most anticipated film, is here. The period romance tells the love story between the Moghul emperor Akbar and his Rajasthani Hindu princess bride, Jodhaa. Oscar nominated director Ashutosh ‘Lagaan’ Gowarikar is keen to deny that his latest film is a historical film. “Let it be clear that it is not a historical film. It is a good story told in an interesting manner. I’d say eighty percent is my imagination.” Is Gowarikar being defensive because recent Bollywood historicals like The Rising and Taj Mahal crashed at the box-office?
The air-miles king
Does Shah Rukh Khan ever stop flying? The self-admitted hyperactive workaholic was in Berlin last weekend to attend a special sold out screening of his blockbuster, Om Shanti Om. He then nipped back to Mumbai in order to recite some poetry for the soundtrack of his director friend Samar Khan’s film, Shouriya. The King Khan is now zooming back to his favourite city London where he will be the star attraction at this weekend’s annual Zee TV Carnival. What a jetsetter!
Beauty queen angels
The latest Hollywood flick to get the Bollywood makeover will be Charlie’s Angels. It’s a possible casting coup as two former Miss Universes and a former Miss World, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra are rumoured to be playing the action angels. Produced by the DVD rip-off kings Abbas-Mustan, the film will be directed by flop director Rohit Jugraj. “Yes, it’s a Charlie’s Angels styled girls action flick,” the James director confirmed. This is not the first time Bollywood has adapted Charlie’s Angels. Remember the Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi and Shabana Azmi potboiler Ashanti, from the 1980s?
A holy makeover
Sex kitten Mallika Sherawat is back in the news with claims of a new international project. After her blink and you will miss it role in the Jackie Chan starrer The Myth, which flopped in India and failed to get a UK release, Sherawat will be seen in The Aquarian Gospel. The historical film is based on the early life of Jesus and Sherawat plays Saraswati, one of his loyal friends he meets in his travels in India. Fans of the scantily clad actress will be disappointed: she is fully clothed in the film.
Triple delight
Congratulations to Om Shanti Om director Farah Khan who gave birth to triplets at Mumbai’s Jaslok hospital on Monday. Two girls and boy were delivered by caesarean section. The proud parents, who look like twins, are in bliss. Hubby Shirish Kunder beamed: “I am feeling on top of the world now!” Suggested names for the two girls include Karen and Leela, whilst the boy will obviously be called Rahul.
Interview Courtesy: Times Online UK
