Rahman makes it to Billboard Hot 100 singles

When the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman [Images], took home two Oscars [Images] at last month's 81st Academy Awards ceremony, it put an exclamation point on an exceptionally successful Hollywood awards season for India's favourite composer.
Amid the shower of awards and accolades, a clear verdict emerged: Tinsel Town has ackowledged and accepted Rahman's prodigious musical talents. In short, they understand why Rahman's name is magical for a billion-odd Indians.
But what about the common American? What does he know of Mr Rahman?
Quite a bit, actually.
In fact, Rahman has become the first Indian -- and by Indian, we mean born in India, raised in India and based in India -- to make it to the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Yep, that's right: The release of the Pussycat Dolls version of his Oscar-winning song Jai Ho has quickly moved the single from number 100 to number 15 on the charts, with no sign of slowing [sales of both the original version of the song and the PCD's version are being combined by Billboard].
Of course, his current status as 'The Next Big Thing in Music' has made Rahman one of Hollywood's most wanted men. He andSlumdog Millionaire [Images] director Danny Bolye are reportedly being flooded with offers to collaborate again on celluloid.
And of all such rumours, there's none more juicy than this: Speculation in some insider circles has it that Boyle was recently asked to direct the 23rd James Bond [Images] film. And, given the tremendous success of Slumdog's soundtrack, it only makes sense to see Rahman and Boyle as part of the same package.
Wouldn't that be something?
Jai ho!


Courtesy: rediff.com