Gautham’s covert parallel project

On track and on time, Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Vinnai Thaandi Varuvayo is 70% over according to the industry buzz. Touted to be a romantic tale, VTV has Silambarasan and Trisha playing the lead with Rahman’s score. The movie also signifies the end of Gautham’s relationship with Harris Jayaraj, after the latter went official about the split.

Surprisingly, Gautham is also said to be working on a parallel project, a thriller. The as-yet-untitled flick will have his assistant Karthik donning the lead role and Sameera Reddy in a pivotal character. This is speculated to be inspired by a Hollywood flick. Last heard, the cast and crew are flying to Spain for the shoot schedules.


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

The Hindi Boys and Rahman!

Banking on the success of Rahman’s Oscars and Genilia’s newfound stardom in Bollywood, the Shankar directed Boys is being dubbed in Hindi. Producer A M Ratnam, however, believes that Boys will create a ripple in Hindi too and that the chartbuster music will ensure the movie’s success.

Genilia’s success with Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Naa has also served as a drive for Boys dubbing, in which she played the college-going Harini and was wooed by Munna, played by Siddharth.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

AR RAHMAN SET TO RECORD WITH FE-NIX

AR Rahman is all set to record with British girl band FE-NIX later this year.

The multi-million selling composer, who has won countless awards for his work on Slumdog Millionaire and Lord Of The Rings, is currently riding high in the charts with 'Jai Ho', a collaboration with The Pussycat Dolls. He reckons that Fe-Nix are Britain's answer to Nicole and co.

Record executives plan to break the girls into the Asian market as well as the UK, and news of AR's collaboration is sure to create a huge buzz across the globe.

He has already given the Pussycat Dolls one of their biggest hits to date. A spokesman for Fe-Nix added, "The girls are thrilled - they are all huge fans of his work."

"They already have endorsements with Apple Bottom Jeans and Lipsy, before their first single has even been released! We're confident they are going to be Britain's biggest breakthrough act of 2009."

AR Rahman joins legend Michael Jackson in support of Fe-Nix - the King Of Pop sent the girls a bouquet of flowers last month.

Fe-Nix release their debut single 'Lady Baby' on May 4th. The track has already hit number 1 in the club charts with spins on Radio 1, Capital and Choice.


Courtesy: bollyspice.com

Review: A R Rahman - a world of music

Music label: Sony Music
Rating - 3.5/5
With the multiplex strike still on and no new music releasing in the market; retail stores are stocking their shelves with compilations and non-film music.
Labels are also promoting their compilations and non film albums as there is a dearth of film music in the market. Explains Sony Music Marketing Director Sanujeet Bhujabal, “Owing to the lull in the entertainment sector, people will listen to music either from their favourite movies or their favourite artistes in these times. The time is perfect as we feel there is a vacuum of new content and there is an opportunity to create more such thematic compilations.”
Sony Music’s comprehensive compilation- ‘A R Rahman-a world of music’ (launched before the maestro won his Oscar) is an attempt by the music label to cash in on Rahman's moment of triumph.
The 5 CD + 1 DVD pack is reasonably priced at Rs 399 and boasts of some of Rahman's remarkable hits. Apart from this, Sony Music has also launched smartly priced compilations in different price brackets for Rahman music lovers.  “We have released the product in various price categories/formats. The idea of this compilation is to present A R Rahman’s greatest works done by the legend himself in a delectable pack which is comprehensive and is value for money to the buyer.” The price categories include a cassette for Rs 50, a 3 CD for Rs 199 and a 5 CD set for Rs 399. This will ensure that we get all kinds of consumers in different price brackets.”
The 5 CD set tracks Rahman’s journey from an entrant in the industry to being the top musician in the music industry. The compilation opens with one of Rahman’s all time hits- Dil se, Chitra’s and Hema Sardesai’s refreshing rendentions in Kehna Hi Kya and Awara Bhanwara and has a mix of his compositions from Rang de basanti, Guru, Lagaan, Meenaxi, Zubeida. The surprise element in the first CD is the track, ‘Gurus of peace’ rendered by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for Rahman’s album ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Ae Nazneen Suno’ from Dil Hi Dil Mein.
The second album comprises Tamil tracks by Rahman including Hey Goodbye, the Tamil version of Yuva’s ‘Aye khudahafiz’ from Ayithe Ezuthu and ‘Taxi Taxi’ launched by Sony Music in 2008 and ‘Ye ye enna achu’ from Kaadhal Virus delivered in a power packed manner by Vasundhara Das, in a way only she can. The other tracks in the album include the evergreen, ‘Vande Mataram’, ‘Shakalaka baby’ from Bombay Dreams and the surprise piece - Sadhana Sargam’s ‘Warriors in Peace’.
Apart from the great compositions, Rahman’s albums are also known for their instrumentals and the third CD has eight of his best versions. The first one, Bombay theme, is a well orchestrated music using violins and flute. It is followed by Lagaan’s theme music which starts with humming by Anuradha Sriram followed by grand orchestration with vocal harmony, violin and percussions. The track which stands out in this CD is the ‘Rangeela theme’ composed by Rahman in 1995. Rangeela was Rahman’s first Hindi movie with an original score, as the previous ones were dubbed from his Tamil scores. Merely listening to this theme reminds of the energetic dance performance by Urmila Matondkar on the big screen. The other CDs also have great numbers from Bombay, Rangeela, Sapnay, Dil se, among others.
The DVD is a visual treat as it pictures some of the best Rahman numbers like Vande Mataram, Rang De Basanti, Barso re, Chinamma Chilakama etc and also Rahman performing live at ‘Guru’ Music launch.
Although the compilation doesn’t have the latest Rahman titles like Ghajini, Slumdog Millionaire, Jodha Akbar, Jaane tu ya jaane na and older ones like Pukar, Taal, Swades, Yuva, the compilation tracks Rahman’s journey from a newcomer in the industry to being one of the highest paid music composer today with many international projects to his credit.
Sony Music is expecting to sell about 100,000 units of this title over a period of time and are in continuous dialogue with various production houses where A R Rahman is composing for acquiring the rights of his music.

Courtesy: radioandmusic.com

Rahman’s dream

Musician AR Rahman thinks that Indians should stop talking about their traditions and start contributing to its greatness. In an interview with CNN-IBN, he talked about his music conservatory, where he will groom the next breed of composers.

“We only celebrate what is tradition which is great, which is fantastic. But what have you contributed?” demanded Rahman. Rahman founded the K M Conservatory to churn out students with musical excellence matching International standards.

"Composers from here like me and Ilayaraja sir, anybody, who wants to work with an orchestra with full symphony orchestra - we had to go abroad and spend thousands of dollars," explained Rahman. However, today students from India and abroad can come to the K M Conservatory and learn both Indian and Western classical music, including a range of musical instruments from the cello to the drums.

There is a preparatory course for beginners, a foundation one for serious pursuers, apart from this there is also a three year degree course in collaboration with the Middlesex University. Most importantly, the conservatory also aims at reviving dying musical traditions.

"Though we want to concentrate on instruments that are dying like violin and brass and woodwinds and everything, people are more interested in piano and composition and voice and all that stuff. We are also looking at areas where we don't have players like brass and woodwinds and so many instruments for which we used to have players before, in the older generation but not anymore," he said.



Courtesy: planetradiocity.com

A.R. Rahman and Mick Jagger team up

A.R. Rahman is planning to meet up with The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger during his visit to the US, according to reports.
Rahman agreed to get in the studio with the Grammy Award-winning artist after the duo first met at the Oscars last month.
A source close to the musician told The Times of India: "When Rahman met Jagger, they discovered that they could do some good music together. It was then that they decided that A.R. Rahman would visit the US again and they would have another jamming session."
The latest collaboration comes on the back of the Bollywood composer's teaming up with The Pussycat Dolls for an English remix of his Oscar-winning hit 'Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)'.
Rahman began producing the score to Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-Love last week during a brief visit to Mumbai.



Courtesy: digitalspy.co.uk

Rahman Got A Japanese Tie-Up

The ace Indian Music composer AR Rahman will join hands with the Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi for the music of film which is an Indo-Japanese venture. The film stars Indian actors like Kamal Haasan and Asin as well as Japanese actor Tadanobo Asano. The film shows that martial arts are originated from India and not from Japan, as the myth around the world is.

One source revealed, “Rahman, Bharat Bala (director) and some people from Disney (producer of the film) met Joe Hisaishi in Tokyo on April 6 to discuss the film.”

“Kamal was very keen to work with a Japanese actor after he met Jackie Chan during the music release of Dasavtaram. This is a $50 million project by Bharat Bala who will also be directing the film. Research work on the martial art form is currently on,” added the source.

Rahman and Bharat Bala are currently in Tokyo.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

CM to felicitate A R Rahman

Oscar winner music director A R Rahman will be felicitated by the government of Kerala on May 3, 2009.

The Mozart of Madras will conduct a musical show at Kozhikode for children affected with AIDS on May 3 and the felicitation function will take place at Kozhikode the same morning.

The Chief Minister of Kerala, V S Achuthanandan will take part in the function stated the minister, Mr. Elamaram Kareem.


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Vikram’s turn after Suriya

Director K.V. Anand is savouring the success of his recent release Ayan. The film, which has Suriya and Tammanna in the lead roles, has turned out to be a smash hit at the box office. Industry sources say that Anand has dealt with the subject very well and this is the main reason for its success. The latest buzz in Kollywood is that Anand has plans to direct Vikram in his next venture. The actor is currently busy with Mani Ratnam’s Ravan. However,

discussions between the director and the actor are said to be on. Vikram will probably give his dates for Anand’s venture after Ravan is safely out of his way.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rajini’s film to be released in July

Sultan – The Warrior, the animation flick that has Rajinikanth in the main role is expected to hit the screens in July. There were reports earlier that the film would be released on Chithirai Thirunal (April 14th, 2009). Enquiries revealed that the Superstar’s busy schedule with the Shankar-directed Endhiran and Soundarya Rajinikanth’s commitment with Goa was the reason for Sultan – The Warrior’s delay. There are few important scenes and songs that still

need to be shot for this animation film, say sources in Kollywood. The film has Vijayalakshmi, in animated form, starring opposite Rajinikanth.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com 

Kamal to teach Asin Martial arts

In what can be considered as a big step towards international recognition for Indian film artistes and technicians, Walt Disney will be producing The 19th Step, which will consist of many Indians behind and on the screen. Indian cinema’s fastest rising star Asin will be paired with Japanese superstar Tadanobu Asanno, an internationally acclaimed actor. She will be playing a princess in the movie. What makes the cast even more exciting is the presence of Kamal Haasan. He will be seen as Asin’s martial arts mentor in a high impact cameo.

What more! The film will be directed by Bharathbala known for his stirring picturization of song videos, especially Rahman’s Vande Mataram. Speaking of Rahman, he has been given the responsibility of scoring the music for the movie. And, India’s other Oscar winner Resul Pookutty will be present in the sound engineering department. So, it is one heavily loaded Indian line up that will be making its presence felt in an international project. We saw what appropriate international exposure can get us when Slumdog Millionaire brought home two Oscars. This time round, we have the legendary Kamal as Indian cinema’s ambassador. Wishing all success to the team of The 19th Step. Neil Armstrong once said ‘a small step for a man, but a giant leap for mankind’. Let’s hope that the following thought turns out true, ‘The 19th Step for Walt Disney, a giant leap for Indian cinema’.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

First show after the Oscar

A.R. Rahman’s first stage show after winning the Oscar Award happens to be for a good cause. The ace musician will take up his music baton to collect money for the treatment of children afflicted with the AIDS disease. The money collected will go to Keraliam, the organization that works for AIDS affected children in Kerala. The organizers say that Rahman is doing the show free of cost. The ticket sales for this event was kick started

yesterday by actor Suresh Gopi and the first ticket was received by NIMS director Faizal Khan. The show will take place on May 3rd at the Jawarharlal Stadium in Kozhikode. About 108 musicians and singers are participating in this event.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

A.R. Rahman inaugurates

A.R. Rahman inaugurated a children’s block at the Adyar Cancer Institute on April 14th, 2009. This block was built in memory of musician Mahesh, who had scored the music for the Kamal Haasan starrer Nammavar. The late musician, it may be recalled, succumbed to cancer. It was Mahesh’s vision and death wish that a Trust should be created to help the children suffering from cancer. Ajith, Arvind Samy, Mani Rathnam among other participated in the event. Mahesh’s wife Chithra Mahesh, the head of the trust, spoke about the trust’s vision and disclosed that the hospital was built using funds collected from various shows and event. The building cost about 3.5 crores, she said.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Silambarasan’s “V” sentiment

Silambarasan’s next film after Vinnaithandi Varuvaya has been finalized. It is worth mentioning here that VV is being directed by Gautham Menon and has Trisha playing Silamabarasan’s arm candy. His next project is named Varusanadu and will be directed by debutant Pandian. Sources close to Silambarasan says that Pandian had been requesting an appointment with the actor for quite some time to narrate the storyline When the.

actor finally decided to give it a hearing, he found the story apt for him. Silambarasan immediately agreed to star in the project. Most probably, Varusanadu will be produced by Silambarasan’s home production. The cast and crew are being finalized.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

A.R. Rahman’s vacation

The double Oscar winner A.R. Rahman is on a vacation cum business trip to the UK and the US. Apparently, the Mozart of Madras is accompanied by his wife. Sources have it that his schedule is packed with several meetings with film makers andbusiness acquaintances. Rahman’s new agent in the US, through whom he had bagged an international offer, is also making arrangements for the Oscar winner to meet some of the well known film makers. With this we can expect Rahman to return home with several big international offers.

In the home front, Rahman has five major films to which he is already committed including Mani Rathnam’s Ravan and Rajini-starrer, Shankar-directed Endhiran.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

I'd just like to retreat in my cave for a while: A R Rahman

Tired of the relentless attention during the last few months A R Rahman has a sincere request for all those who want a piece of his action -- let him be.

Alas, earlier commitments have forced Rahman to return to Chennai from Bangalore where he was holed up last month.
Says a source very close to Rahman, "The workload is getting heavier. Rahman is inundated with work from both home and abroad. He has taken on one new Bollywood project, Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-Love, and he needs to finish Anthony D'Souza's Blue whose background score and the Kylie Minogue item are yet to be completed. On top of that Rahman has to deal with false stories about his global conquests. Like the one that said he had replaced David Beckham in a cell phone ad for a staggering free."
Such stories are making Rahman extremely wary of the future. Friends feel he's being put under tremendous performance anxiety and this may reflect on the quality of his work."
Says the friend, "Rahman has decided to stay completely away from the public glare for some time. He is currently spending time on the music of Abbas Tyrewala's film. Then he has called Anthony D'Souza to Chennai to complete the music of Blue. After that he will quietly leave for London and the US. Under no circumstance will he allow himself to be put under the microscope."When contacted Rahman had only one thing to say, "I'd just like to retreat in my cave for a while."


Courtesy: sify.com

Another ‘first’ for Rahman

Muhammad Shahal has done for A.R. Rahman what no one else had ever done for the music maestro. Shahal did an oil painting of Rahman and presented it to him in Kochi, when the Oscar winner was there to announce his live show in Kozhikode to collect funds for AIDS-affected children.

 “When I presented the painting, he looked at it for a while and smiled his sweet silent smile. And then he looked up and told me it was the first time that someone had painted him, as if he couldn’t believe this,’’ Shahal said.

 The painting was presented at the end of a news conference held at Le Meridien in Kochi. “He said he would like to talk about the painting later,’’ Shahal said.

 Shahal is the creative director of Limax Advertising in the city. It was Limax that had won the pitch to do the creatives for the A.R.  Rahman Live organised by the Global Kerala Initiative - Keraleeyam.

 “While we were planning the creatives, I thought of making an oil painting. There was a recent picture of Rahman I liked. In the picture, he sits in a park-like place with a yellow background, playing a guitar. I liked the peaceful look on his face. Except for that dreamy sublime look, I changed everything else,’’ Shahal said.

 The painter took off the guitar Rahman had in his hands and made him sit with his hands on his chin. “I thought it gave him a regal bearing,’’ he said.

 The colour tone was changed to turquoise. And then Shahal tampered with the close-cropped school-boyish hairstyle that Rahman now sports.

 It was about the hair that Rahman asked when Shahal met him later in  his suite. “At which age have you placed me, he asked. I said your face had always been the same. He smiled. I told him I decided on his older hairstyle because it kind of resembled mine. I hope he enjoyed the joke,’’ Shahal said.

 The painter could not spend much time with the maestro. There were at least 200 people waiting to see him and he had to give way.


Courtesy: expressbuzz.com

Director Anthony D'Souza on his action bonanza Blue

First-time filmmaker Anthony D'Souza plumbs the depths of oceans off Bahamas for his action bonanza Blue.

Have you finally wrapped up Blue? When is it releasing?
We are nearly through with the shoot. I am headed for Bangkok with Lara Dutta for two days' work and then I need eight more days to shoot Katrina Kaif's song. Blue is scheduled to be released on August 13.

Where did you find this deep-sea adventure, for it certainly is an alien concept here in India? 
I have always been fascinated by water and then I wanted to make a "never-seen-before" film - so it had to be a film shot in the ocean. I had to find a fresh setting and what better than an action adventure with real sharks, sting-rays and eels to the menacing great whites?

Sounds scary! How did you protect your stellar cast from the oceanic wild life? 
Wild animals pose no danger by themselves, unless provoked. In our case, we took ample precautions to ensure the safety of the cast and crew. There have been no injuries or mishaps.

So which was the most spectacular and the most menacing of the oceanic beasts you shot with? 
I chose to shoot off Bahamas because the kind of sharks that I wanted are only found there. We have shot with real sharks - hammer-heads, reef sharks, great whites, manta rays and eels. While reef sharks are the gentlest and easiest to shoot with, the great whites that measure 15 to 18 feet are the most menacing and also the most spectacular.

Tipped to be the most expensive Indian film ever made with a whopping budget of Rs 100 crore, what has been the most expensive aspect of Blue? 
I still won't be able to give out the budget of the film as I am still shooting. The most expensive part of the film was the execution and implementation of action. We shot for 60 days in deep sea off Bahama Islands - of these, 15 days were for rehearsals and 45 days for the actual shoot. For the first time, the Indian audience will be treated to 25-30 minutes of underwater adventure.

Our underwater DOP Pete Zuccarini is the man who shot Pirates Of The Caribbean, so the filming is flawless and spectacular. I hope I have brought the audience entertainment worth their money.

How did you manage to find funding for this extravagant adventure as your first film? Also how did you convince Akshay Kumar and Sanjay Dutt to be a part of it?
I approached Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision Ltd. with my script and they liked it right from the outset. My ad-films and music videos on the resume also worked well, I guess.

I met Mr Dutt, Akshay and Zayed Khan, narrated them the script after which they were on. Really, I think that I am most fortunate. It must have something to do with my parents' blessings because I am not much of a religious guy.

Any particular reason for casting middle-aged heroes in this seemingly-youthful deep- sea adventure? Who's the best swimmer from the cast? 
Blue is about betrayal and a treasure-hunt. This is a film in which the characters are playing their age - Mr Dutt, Akshay, Zayed, Rahul Dev and Kabir Bedi in a guest appearance. Mr Dutt, who has a lung problem and is forbidden by the doctors to swim, insisted on doing each and every stunt himself. Akshay is ever-ready for any challenge and Zayed has been a swimmer ever since he can remember. Lara, on the other hand, trained for five months for the underwater action. But the best swimmer title goes hands down to Zayed Khan!

How did you handle the ego tussle of Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar? 
On the sets and off it, the two stars are like brothers. We used to read all those crappy reports in the media and laugh at those together.

Who's the heroine of the film - Lara or Katrina? Are you including an additional song in the film to assuage Katrina? 
Lara is the heroine of Blue and she plays Mr Dutt's girlfriend and the film is based on their love story. Katrina Kaif, paired opposite Zayed, has a guest appearance in the film. Katrina's song is a part of the script and is in the last portion of the film.

Alright, so why cast Kylie Minogue? Apart from the hype, how does she help the film? 
I have been a great fan of Kylie's. She has one song and some scenes in the film. She shot for eight days and she has some humorous and dramatic scenes with the entire cast. I found her to be very professional and down-to-earth. She's a director's actor.

A R Rahman's music is likely to be a big high for the film. What kind of music have you come up with?
We have seven songs in the film and A R Rahman's music this time is certainly not Indian, it's very Western. Abbas Tyrewala and Mayur Puri have penned the lyrics.

Is John Abraham a part of your next venture?
My next film is a three-hero action film, also for Shree Ashtavinayak Cine Vision. John Abraham is certainly a part of it and I am hoping to cast Sonal Chauhan opposite him. 


Courtesy: bollywoodhungama.com/

A.R. Rahman announces his world tour

Oscar winning music director A.R. Rahman has announced that he will undertake a world tour musical concert.
 The concert named 'Jai Ho' is organised by Global Kerala initiative and its proceedings would go towards rehabilitating HIV positive orphaned children.
 Rahman will start his world tour with a live concert premier in Kozhikode on May 3.



On being asked if the original singer of the award winning song "Jai Ho" Sukhwinder Singh will join the concert, Rahman said Sukhwinder will be part of the shows in Northern India.
 "It depends on the dates. The way we have figured out this concert is with completely new talent, so Sukhwinder will be the part of Northern India concerts. From Southern India, we have a selection of the extraordinary talent," said Rahman.
 'Jai Ho', the song composed by Rahman for the film "Slumdog Millionaire", was adjudged the best song at this year's Oscars.
 "Slumdog Millionaire", a rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller who goes on to win 20 million dollars in a quiz show, was adjudged the best film.



Courtesy: newstrackindia.com

Rahman to enthral music lovers in Kerala on May 3

Ace music composer and Oscar winner A R Rahman will be performing live at Kozhikode on May 3 to express solidarity with HIV Positive orphaned children.

The show titled'Jai Ho' is the'first mega music show' by Rahman after he won two Oscars for' Slumdog Millionaire'. Over50 well-known musicians, besides Rahman, will be participating in the event, which is being organised by the NGOGlobal Kerala initiative'Keraleeyam' for rehabilitating HIV positive orphaned children.

Rahman said he was happy to be associated with"the cause". He said he had been wanting to perform in Kerala for the last 15 years. Though he had cancelled at least seven shows, which were to be held this year in various parts of the country as he would be in the US for at least six months. He however, wanted the Kerala show to be held as it was"irresistible". Malayalam singers are gifted, dedicated and their foundation very strong, he said.

Rahman said his late father, R K Shekhar, who was composer and music conductor of Malayalam films, gave his soul to malayalam film music. Works of music directors like S Dakshinamoorthy, late Devarajan master, A T Ummer and his father, were the ones he liked.

"I also adore veteran singer K J Jesudas,"he added.


Courtesy: indopia.in

Mani commands… Ash disobeys…

Mani Ratnam is known as a director who is set on being a perfectionist. He shot to limelight for his perfectionism and professionalism. It is well known that the director is working on the bilingual Ravan, which stars Vikram, Aishwarya Rai, Priya Mani, Abishek Bachchan among others.  Reportedly, the director wanted Ash to wear no make up for the second half of the film. Sources have it that Mani wanted that makeup-less look to bring out the

emotions and sufferings of a wife separated from her husband. But Ash is in no mood to listen and was seen sneaking out when time permitted to get a basic make up done. However, the director who spotted the slightestchange in her looks promptly sent her back to have it removed.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Sultan’s whooping budget

Superstar Rajinikanth will be soon be seen in an animated film thanks to his multi-talented daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth. The film is being made under the banner of Soundarya’s Ocher Studios and the movie is rumored to have hi-end animation. The best part is the central character of the film Sultan who is an exact depiction of Rajini.

We all know that each shot in the film is actually shot with the superstar first and then the animation specialists work on it to bring a very satisfying natural look. Reports indicate that so much of money has gone into the making of ‘Sultan-The Warrior’, as much a grand 60 crore rupees!

Never imagined that animation films would be so costly!

The film has another high light in the sense it is a multilingual film and is being made in eighteen languages. This is a new record that is being made by the superstar’s super daughter. Grapevine also has it that Vijayalakshmi will be lending her personality to this animated movie as the superstar’s heroine.

Soundarya Rajinikanth, a chip off the old block we should say!

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Chinese go gaga over AR Rahman's Jai Ho

Slumdog Millionaire, which has won as much as eight Oscar Awards this year, has the communist nation China going gaga over it. The song, Jai Ho, set to tune by A.R. Rahman has become a huge hit in China. Though the audiences are not able to grasp the meaning of the lyrics they simply love the tune and are heard humming it. The audiences are also amazed that a show like Kaun Banega Crorepati was hosted in India,

especially with such a huge amount involved. It is worth mentioning here that Slumdog Millionaire was dubbed in Chinese to attract the audience.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rahman to retreat for awhile

The Mozart of madras, who won a double whammy at the academy awards back to back is overwhelmed by the global attention that he is garnering, he wants to be left alone now. The music director’s call sheet is on a never before high because of the offers pouring in from the homeland as well as abroad.

Rahman yet has a couple of projects to complete. One is 'Blue’, directed by Anthony D’Souza, where a song featuring Kylie Minogue is yet to be done. The song will reportedly have Kylie and Sonu Nigam crooning together and the other is a project from Abbas Tyrewalla.

Now apart from the immense workload that Rahman has to carry apart for the tours that he has to concentrate on, there have also been disturbing rumors circulating on the composer which have thoroughly disturbed him. The recent one, which said he was to replace David Beckham in a mobile phone ad.

Rahman has decided to stay low profile in the coming days so he can concentrate on his work as well as have some quality time for himself.

ARR deserves it, after all the limelight he has been under so far.


Courtesy: behindwoods.com

'Rahman and Motorola, what rubbish!'

We're not being boorish in abusing people who've spread this story. Officials from Rahman's office themselves are poking fun at the media which has been floating highly unbelievable stories like Rahman endorsing Motorola. Agreed, brand AR Rahman sells. More today than ever before. And a few media houses and online websites have been using it to their advantage with stories like these. But such fakes are being rubbished by people close to the maestro himself, who IndiaGlitz spoke to.

The latest in the beeline of rumours about Rahman was about him endorsing Motorola for a record price. 'Then what about his dealings with Nokia already?' his officals ask in jest. That a person cannot endorse two brand of the same field is common sense, they think. And it was less than a few months ago that Rahman, in collaboration with Nokia, brought out his mobile album, Connections, as part of his deal with them. Rahman and Nokia have earlier collaborated for his album, Pray For Me Brother. Officials in Rahman's studio say there were not even talks about an agreement with Motorola and this was a complete baseless rumour.

Now, reports in various spurious sections of the media have announced that Rahman has inked a deal with Motorola for a record Rs 28 crore to take over as its youth icon and brand ambassador, instead of David Beckam. Websites and online sources mind find it interesting to publish such stories, but those who know the truth only call them 'imaginative'.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

The other side of the Endhiran’s Kettavan!

Danny Denzongpa is the new man to fight with the superstar Rajinikanth! Sources close to the Endhiran team say that the sequences where Rajini and Danny appear on screen will be a treat to the fans, especially the intense fights. Though Danny is new to Kollywood, he has 154 films to his credit including Hindi, Nepali and Sikkim. The most famous of his films include the internationally acclaimed 7 Years in Tibet. Danny may be an actor

but he says that he does not like watching movies especially the dance sequences. The last film that he saw was an Amitabh Bachchan starrer in the year 1992. The actor has starred with stalwarts like Big B and Shah Rukh Khan. The baddie on screen that he is, Danny is a totally different man when not facing the camera. Danny initially wanted to get into the military but could not do so due to various reasons. Having found cinema the best avocation, the actor also pursued several of his interests off the screen. He is a noted artist in his home state Sikkim. Apart from that he is good at sculpting and writing too. Well, the superstar sure does have a tough baddie with all the best qualities!

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Rahman global tour starts with ‘Jaye Ho’!

A.R. Rahman is gearing up for his first live performance after the double Oscar victory. He will perform on May 3rd at the Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode in Kerala. The show will be the first of a series of live performances across the globe which will help the Global Kerala Initiative-Keraleeyam raise awareness about HIV and help in the rehabilitation of HIV infected orphaned children. The concert has been named ‘Jaye Ho’ quite

appropriately after the song that brought home the Oscars. Other details about the show and its performers have not yet been revealed.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com