A R Rahman Vikatan interview - after Oscars

இந்திய திரைப்படக் கலைஞர்கள் பலரும் ஆஸ்கர் விருதுகளைக் குவிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே தனது விருப்பம் என்று இசையமைப்பாளர் ஏ.ஆர்.ரஹ்மான் கூறினார்.
இரண்டு ஆஸ்கர் விருதுகளை வென்று இந்தியாவுக்கும், தமிழகத்துக்கும் பெருமை சேர்த்துள்ள இசையமைப்பாளர் ஏ.ஆர்.ரஹ்மான் இன்று பிற்பகல் சென்னையில் செய்தியாளர்கள் கூட்டத்தில் கூறியதாவது:
ஸ்லம்டாக் மில்லியனர் படம் மூலம் இரண்டு ஆஸ்கர் விருதுகளை வென்றிருப்பது மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சியைஅளிக்கிறது. ஆஸ்கர் விருது வழங்கும் விழாவில் 'எல்லாப் புகழும் இறைவனுக்கே' என்று தமிழில் பேசினேன். நான் எந்த ஒரு நிகழ்ச்சியிலும் சொல்லும் விஷயத்தையே தமிழில் அப்போதும் கூறினேன்.
ஹாலிவுட் படங்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் மிக உயரிய ஆஸ்கர் விருதை இத்தாலி, ஜெர்மெனி போன்ற நாடுகளைச் சேர்ந்த இசைக் கலைஞர்கள் வென்றுள்ளனர்.
இந்த நிலையில், இந்திய இசைக்கலைஞர்களின் பிரதிநிதியாக நான் ஆஸ்கர் வென்றிருப்பது பெருமிதம் தருகிறது.
நான் மட்டுமின்றி, இனி வரும் காலங்களில் இந்திய, தமிழ் திரைப்பட கலைஞர்கள் பலரும் ஆஸ்கர் விருதுகளை குவிக்க வேண்டும் என்பதே எனது ஆசை.
ஸ்லம்டாக் மில்லியனர் படம் மிகச் சிறப்பாக அமைந்ததால் இசைக்கும் ஆஸ்கர் விருது கிடைத்துள்ளது. ஹாலிவுட் விரும்பும் வகையில் அப்படத்தில் இசை இருந்தன் காரணமாகவே இந்த அங்கீகாரம் கிடைத்தது.
வேறு இந்திய படங்களுக்கான இசைக்கு ஆஸ்கர் கிடைக்கவில்லையே என்று கருதுவது தவறு. ஆஸ்கர் என்பது ஹாலிவுட் படங்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் விருது. இந்திய படங்களுக்கு ஆஸ்கர் விருது கிடைக்க வேண்டும் என்று எதிர்பார்க்க முடியாது.
அதேநேரத்தில், வெளிநாட்டு படங்களுக்கு வழங்கப்படும் ஆஸ்கர் விருது, 'லகான்' படத்துக்கு கிடைக்காதது வருத்தமே.
ஒருவேளை ஸ்லம்டாக் படத்தை இந்திய இயக்குனர் இயக்கி, அது சிறப்பாக இருந்து, அந்தத் திரைப்படம்
ஹாலிவுட் வினியோகஸ்தர்களால் தயாரிக்கப்பட்டிருந்தாலும் ஆஸ்கர் கிடைக்கும்.
நான் இசையமைத்ததில், என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரையில் எல்லா பாடல்களுமே சிறந்த பாடல்கள்தான். மேற்கத்திய மக்களுக்கு ஸ்லம்டாக் படத்தில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ள பாடல்கள் பிடித்தமானதாக இருக்கிறது அவ்வளவே.
'ஜெய் ஹோ' பாடல் ஆஸ்கர் வென்றதில் பாடலாசிரியர் குல்ஸாருக்கும் பெரும் பங்கு உண்டு. உயிரே படத்தின் தையா தயா பாடலில் இருந்து இருவரும் இணைந்து பணிபுரிகிறோம். படத்தின் கதைக்கு ஏற்ற அற்புதமான, அனைவரையும் வசீகரிக்கும் வகையில் ஜெய் ஹோ பாடலை எழுதினார்.
இந்திய இசையையும், தமிழக இசையையும் அடுத்தக் கட்டத்துக்கு கொண்டு செல்வதற்கான முயற்சிகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருகிறேன்.

அன்பே அவசியம்!

அன்புக்கு முக்கியத்துவம் கொடுக்க வெண்டும் என்று ஒவ்வொரு முறையும் வலியுறுத்தி வருகிறேன். இதையே ஆஸ்கர் விருது வழங்கும் விழாவிலும் எடுத்துரைத்தேன். இதை இசையின் மூலமாக மக்களுக்கு எடுத்துச் செல்லும் முயற்சிகளிலும் ஈடுபட்டு வருகிறேன்.
உலகில் சாதி, மத, மொழி, இன வேறுபாடுகளைக் களைந்து, அமைதியான வாழ்க்கைக்கு அன்பு மட்டுமே வழிவகை செய்கிறது.
என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரை தமிழ், தெலுங்கு, இந்தி என எந்த மொழிகள் பேதமின்றி செயலாற்றி வருகிறேன். ஹாலிவுட்டில் இருந்து இப்போது இரண்டு வாய்ப்புகள் வந்துள்ளது. அதுதொடர்பான பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடந்து வருகிறது. இறுதி செய்யப்பட்டபின், அதுபற்றிய அறிவிப்பை வெளியிடுவேன்.

சிறந்த படங்களுக்கே முன்னுரிமை!

ஹாலிவுட், பாலிவுட், தமிழ், தெலுங்கு, இந்தி என எவ்வித வேறுபாடுமின்றி இசையமைப்பதே எனது எண்ணம். நல்ல கதையம்சம் கொண்ட படம் எந்த மொழிகளாக இருந்தாலும், சிறந்த படங்களுக்கு இசையமைக்க எப்போதும்போல் தயாராகவே இருக்கிறேன்.
இசைக்கு மொழி கிடையாது. எனவே, எந்த மொழிகளுக்கும் என்னால் இசையமைக்க முடிகிறது. எனது தாய்மொழி தமிழாக இருப்பதால், தமிழ் படங்களுக்கு இசையமைக்கும் போது இலகுத்தன்மையை உணர்கிறேன்.

திருக்குறளுக்கு இசை!

திருக்குறள் மற்றும் குனங்குடி மஸ்தான் சாகிபு பாடல்கள் ஆகியவற்றுக்கு இசை வடிவம் கொடுப்பதற்கான பணிகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருகிறேன்.
கவிஞர் வைரமுத்து புதிய தமிழ்த்தாய் வாழ்த்துப் பாடலை எழுதிய பிறகு, அதற்கு இசையமைப்பதற்கான பணிகளை மேற்கொள்வேன்.
ஆஸ்கரில் இந்தியர்களின் புகழ் ஒலித்ததில் மட்டற்ற மகிழ்ச்சி. குறிப்பாக, ஸ்லம்டாக் மில்லியனர் படத்தில் நடித்த சிறுவர்கள் ஆஸ்கர் சிவப்பு கம்பளத்தில் வலம் வந்தததும், அதை ஊடகங்கள் மிகச் சிறப்பான முக்கியத்துவம் அளித்ததும் அளவற்ற மகிழ்ச்சியை அளித்தது.

இளையராஜா மகிழ்ச்சி!

இந்தியத் தலைவர்கள், திரைப்பட கலைஞர்கள், இந்திய மக்கள் அனைவரின் பாராட்டுதல்களையும் வெகுவாகப் பெற்றதில் மகிழ்ச்சி கொள்கிறேன். அனைவருக்கும் நன்றியைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
ஆஸ்கர் பெற்றவுடன் யுவன் ஷங்கர் ராஜாவிடம் இருந்து மின்னஞ்சல் வந்தது. அதில், தந்தை இளையராஜா மிகுந்த மகிழ்ச்சி கொண்டதாக குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தார்.

சர்ச்சைக்கு விளக்கம்!

நம் நாட்டில் ஸ்லம்டாக் மில்லியனர் படத் தலைப்பு சர்ச்சையை ஏற்படுத்தியது. மேற்கத்திய நாட்டு மக்களை பொறுத்தவரையில் நாய்கள் செல்லப் பிராணிகள். செல்லமாகவும் பாசத்துடனும் அழைக்க 'டாக்' என்ற சொல்லைப் பயன்படுத்துவர். அந்த ஆரோக்கியமான விஷயத்தைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டுதான் படத்தலைப்பு வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
என்னுடைய அறக்கட்டளை மூலமாக, நமது நாட்டில் ஏழ்மையை ஒழிப்பதற்கான முயற்சிகளில் தீவிரமாக இயங்கி வருகிறேன். என் ஒருவனது வாழ்நாளில் மட்டுமே இதை சாதிப்பது என்பது சாத்தியமில்லாதது. என்னால் இயன்ற வரையில் அடித்தளம் அமைக்கிறேன்," என்றார் ஆஸ்கர் தமிழன் ஏ.ஆர்.ரஹ்மான்.

இலங்கையில் அமைதி நிலவ வேண்டும்!

உலகமே உங்களை கவனிக்கும் சூழலில் இலங்கையில் தமிழர்களுக்கு குரல் கொடுக்க வேண்டும் என்ற ஒரு தரப்பில் இருந்து கோரிக்கைகள் எழுகிறதே என செய்தியாளர்கள் கேட்டதற்கு, "ஆஸ்கர் விருது வழங்கும் விழாவானது சினிமாத்துறை சார்ந்தது. அங்கே அரசியல் பேச இடமில்லை.
அதேநேரத்தில், மனித உயிர்கள் அழிக்கப்படுவதை எவரும் ஏற்றுக் கொள்ள முடியாது. இதை வலியுறுத்தும் விதமாக 'கன்னத்தில் முத்தமிட்டால்' படத்தில் 'வெள்ளைப் பூக்கள் உலகம் எங்கும் மலரவே...' என்ற பாடலின் மூலம் பதிவு செய்திருக்கிறோம்," என்றார் ஏ.ஆர்.ரஹ்மான்


Courtesy: vikatan.com

What’s next for SM’s Indian team?

We take a look at what the Indian team of Slumdog Millionaire is doing after the film's Oscar wins.




A R Rahman: The only Indian to win two Oscars, Rahman’s upcoming Indian albums include Nagesh Kukunoor’s 8X10, Ashtvinayak’s Blue, Shankar’s Endhiran, Abbas Tyrewala’s 1-800-Love and Mani Ratnam’s Ravan. He also has an Indo-Japanese movie called Nair San starring Mohanlal and is in talks about composing for Steven Spielberg and Sam Mendes’ next films.




Dev Patel: He has bagged M Night Shyamalan’s flick The Airbender. His role of Prince Zuko of Fire Nation, based on a popular Nickelodeon TV series, will require him to learn martial arts. Filming begins next month in Philadelphia.




Freida Pinto: She has bagged a Woody Allen film alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Josh Brolin. Shooting for the as-yet-untitled film begins in July.




Resul Pookutty: India’s first Oscar-winning sound technician has Saurabh Shukla’s romantic comedy Raat Gayi Baat Gayi and Sanjay Gupta’s stylised action thriller Acid Factory as his upcoming projects. He is also working on a Rajat Kapoor film and an untitled Hollywood flick.




Irrfan: The actor has another Indo-American venture, Hissss, starring Mallika Sherawat and Divya Dutta. The film is directed by Jennifer Lynch, David Lynch’s daughter. His other international project is New York, I Love You. Irrfan also has a summer release in the form of YRF’s New York, directed by Kabir Khan and starring John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif. Then, there is Sanjay Gupta’s action thriller Acid Factory and drama Alibaug, Ambika Hinduja’s Teen Patti and rom-com Kal Kisne Dekha, among others.




Anil Kapoor: Race was one of the biggest hits of 2008 and Anil Kapoor will be part of its sequel. He will also start work on the sequel to Mr India. His home production Shortkut - The Con Is On, starring Sanjay Dutt and Amrita Rao, will release later this year.




Gulzar: The legendary lyricist-writer-director will be working with Vishal Bhardwaj on songs for his romantic comedy Ishqiya starring Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi and Vidya Balan.


Courtesy: starboxoffice.com

Rahman's Oscar-favourite number originally for another film

A.R. Rahman's Hindi song from 'Slumdog Millionaire' is a now a hot favourite at the Oscars. What is not so well known is that the song, 'Aaja aaja shamiane ke taley', was originally written for another movie.

Song writer Gulzar had written the song for Subhash Ghai's latest release 'Yuvvraaj'.

"I wrote a song 'Aaja aaja shmiane ke taley/Zari wale neele aasman ke taley' for Subhash Ghai's 'Yuvvraaj'. But then for some reason Subhash felt he didn't need that song in the film," Gulzar said.

"So Rahman suggested that we use the track in 'Slumdog Millionaire' because it fits perfectly. We asked Subhash and he readily agreed. I must say it was very generous of him."

The number has now entered the Best Song category at the Academy Awards. It also fetched the Los Angeles Critics Choice Award for best score and has been nominated for the New York Critics Choice Award.

Brushing off the praise from Gulzar for allowing the song to be in another film, Ghai said: "Nothing generous about it. Give and take is an integral part of any creative field.

"Look at M.F. Husain Saab's generosity. He called me up all the way from Dubai to say he loved 'Yuvvraaj'. After the battering that it got his words came as balm to my soul, specially when Husain Saab said he saw the film twice and liked it even better the second time.

"I happily gave the 'Aaja aaja...' song to Rahman when he said it was needed for Danny Boyle's film. I felt the song was slightly too soft and subtle for the aggressive character (Zayed Khan in 'Yuvvraaj'). I'm glad they could use it."

Any regrets, now that the song is going places?

"None at all. Every film and every song has its own destiny. That song was meant to be in 'Slumdog Millionaire'. I'm just happy that a Hindi song is being noticed, heard and hummed in the US by non-NRI audiences," Ghai said.

Courtesy: hindu.com

Gulzar: YUVVRAAJ music is magnificient!

view YUVVRAAJ movie stills

Whenever music wizard A.R.Rahman and iconic lyricist Gulzaar have come together they have always weaved magic. Right from Shah Rukh Khan's "Chaiyyan Chaiyyan" (DIL SE) to Aishwarya–Abhishek's "Tere Bina" (GURU), the duo has successfully serenaded the audience with some superb and soulful compositions. And of course things can get only better as they are now coming together in YUVVRAAJ for ex–showman, Subhash Ghai, a director who is very passionate about music.

With the first teaser of Ghai's magnum opus, YUVVRAAJ, carrying the hauntingly beautiful signature piano tune, a trademark Rahman (out on every channel) the curiosity and expectancy levels have only increased.

The stamp of approval for YUVVRAAJ's musical score comes from none other than the great lyricist Gulzaar himself. As per Gulzaar Sahab, the songs of YUVVRAAJ are 'magnificent' but he is quick to add that he is not saying this because he is the lyricist of the film. He gives all the credit to the director, Subhash Ghai and the music director, A.R. Rahman.

In fact, Gulzaar recently saw the songs of the film and was of the view that this is one of Rahman's best works till date. He further added that Subhash Ghai has picturised the songs beautifully. And that is because he is so involved with the music that very few can match up to his level.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Katrina learns to play the cello

Katrina Kaif is leaving no stone unturned to realistically portray the role of a trained classical musician in Subhash Ghai’s forthcoming musical drama Yuvvraaj, a film that will highlight the arrogance and overconfidence of contemporary youth and how they learn from their mistakes.

Kat, who wanted to be perfect while delivering her expressions and actions on the screen, had got a cello instructor who will teach her to play the stringed instrument on the sets of the film that uses live orchestra for all the songs. Live orchestra is now rarely used in films as almost all artists and composers are into digital recording.

Katrina confirms, “We had a cello teacher on the sets and all songs were done with a real orchestra. It was fun shooting for the film and a completely different experience.”
Yuvvraaj stars Salman Khan as a hero and also has actors Zayed Khan and Anil Kapoor playing key characters. AR Rahman is the music composer for the film while Gulzar has written the lyrics. The film is expected to release on November 21, this year.
Our insider from the crew of the film revealed that appointing a cello teacher was on Ghai wish-list. “The film is about music and Subhashji wanted the actors to look like authentic musicians and deliver realistic performances. He wanted a cello teacher to be appointed for the film and also wanted that person to come to the sets daily and help out Katrina by fine tuning her skills with the instrument. She has rehearsed regularly and we guess that she can play the instrument now,” the source says.

Courtesy: dnaindia.com

Rahman, for 'Stand up and Take Action' campaign

AR Rahman is getting his lines right for a public announcement service campaign under filmmaker Meghna Gulzar's watchful eyes at Mumbai's Mehboob Studios.

This call from celebrities to 'Stand up and Take Action' is a campaign by the United Nations to remind people and the government about the progress made by the millennium development goals which has the year 2015 as the deadline.

“It addresses to the govt and to ourselves,” says AR Rehman

Other than Rahman the campaign also features quite a mix of celebrities like Gulzar, Yuvraj Singh, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Ranbir Kapoor, Narayan Murthy, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and others.

Though the government may turn a blind eye to the millennium development goals, this campaign with it's interesting mix of celebrities and news makers will definitely be eye-catching.

Courtesy: ibnlive.com

Vairamuthu’s remarks about Hindi!

Lyricist Vairamuthu is a busy man these days. He has his hands full with a number of projects including some prestigious projects like Robot, Marma Yogi, Soundarya Rajinikanths’ Sultan – The Warrior and Mani Ratnam’s yet-to-titled film. In fact Vairamuthu has already penned two songs for Robot and all the seven songs for Mani’s film.

Amazingly, he had completed all those seven songs in five days time! The buzz in the industry is that Vairmuthu’s lyrics for Mani Ratnam’s film are far too superior to Hindi lyricist Gulzar’s lyrics. Reacting to this comment, Vairamuthu said that though Gulzar is a great poet, Tamil is a finer language when compared to Hindi.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

T-series to release Yuvraaj music on October 1

Super Cassettes Industries Ltd. (T-Series) will release the music of Subhash Ghai Film Yuvraaj on October 1.

"It is a pleasure for us to make the announcement of the release date of the music," said a T Series spokesperson. "We are proud of our association with Showman Subhash Ghai for all Mukta Arts ventures. Since October 1 is an auspicious day, we decided to go in for the release on that day."

Yuvraaj is produced and directed by Subhash Ghai, starring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Katrina Kaif, Zayed Khan and Jawed Sheikh. A R Rahman has teamed with Gulzar Saab for the Music of the film. The film is Subhash Ghai's next much-awaited musical after the stupendous success of Taal in 1999.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Subhash Ghai's YUVRAAJ has the best crew

YUVRAAJ is undoubtedly one of the most keenly awaited movies of the year. To make sure that he makes the film a no-compromise affair, Subhash Ghai has ensured that the film has the best crew in place to take care of overall production of the film.

Let's talk about music first. When A R Rahman and Gulzaar saab come together, one can't think of a better combination. It is this combination which sets the platform for YUVRAAJ, a musical featuring a formidable cast that includes Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Zayed Khan and Boman Irani. Shiamak Davar, the man who choreographed Ghai's TAAL as well, is expected to go all out in giving YUVRAAJ an opulent treatment.


Kabir Lal has lighted up the frames in a way only he can in films like PARDES, TAAL, KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI and THE HERO to name a few. The cinematographer is expected to deliver quality work with YUVRAAJ as well where the bare minimum requirement is to make everything look rich and glossy.

Last but not the least, with someone like Omang Kumar who has a classic like BLACK behind him to showcase his skills as an art director, YUVRAAJ looks all set to be on a right track.

Courtesy: Glamsham.com

YUVRAAJ locked for Diwali release

Subhash Ghai has made the first strike as far as picking up Diwali weekend is concerned. Though it is still beginning of the year, Subhash Ghai is looking at 24th October as the day when one of his most amibitious, prestigious and critical project releases. The film is YUVRAAJ.

YUVRAAJ boasts of a huge cast comprising of Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif along with Zayed Khan and Boman Irani. Crew of the film belongs to Class A category as well with music by none less than A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Gulzar cinematography by Kabir Lal and choreography by Shiamak Davar.

With Subhash Ghai making a huge comeback to larger than life cinema (BLACK & WHITE in comparison is more experimental and stays true to real life), YUVRAAJ (rightly) finds itself as being one of the most awaited projects of year 2008.

Courtesy: Glamsham.com

Star Screen Award for Best Music

Winner
A.R. Rahman
Guru
“Due to some urgent commitment, I could not make it for the function. I must thank Screen and also the Almighty Mani Ratnam. Gulzarsaab wrote some wonderful lyrics. As usual, we had recorded more songs, finally narrowing them down to what I guess turned out to be the best. The first song I recorded was Mayya mayya - I was coming back from my Haj when I heard some people say that word, as Mayya stands for water, and told Gulzarsaab that it was a nice phrase and he liked it too.”-A.R. Rahman

Courtesy:ScreenIndia.com

Top-10 anticipated soundtracks of 2008

Something about the two we need to know....
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Ghajini Remake (A.R. Rahman)

Ok, so no one knows till date about the eventual title of this film which is so far being referred to as 'Ghajini remake'. But naam mein kya rakha hai? Especially, when the project brings together professionals like Aamir Khan and A.R. Rahman. The original Tamil film 'Ghajini' had chartbuster tracks by Harris Jayaraj (who till date is known for his excellent score in Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein.) Though Rahman has stepped in for the Hindi version, no one has doubts around the eventual product that would be up for grabs this year.
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Yuvraaj (A.R. Rahman)

Mention of Yuvraaj may be coming at the very end due to alphabetical ordering but it sits right up there if one looks at anticipation quotient! Subhash Ghai and Rahman coming together is big enough news, especially since it will be after 9 long years that the two would be coming together after Taal (Kisna had Ismail Darbar sharing credits with Rahman). With the film's subject being musical, Gulzar saab writing lyrics, Shiamak Davar as the choreographer and actors like Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif coming together, Yuvraaj is going to be magnum opus of 2008!
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Courtesy: Indiafm.com

‘Music is expression, not competition’

Musician Sukhwinder Singh discusses composing for ‘Halla Bol’, his next project with AR Rahman and the indecency in reality shows with Shridevi Keshavan

He was brushed off by most music directors in Bollywood when Sukhwinder Singh approached them with the composition ‘Chaiyya chaiyya’, a Punjabi poem by Sufi poet Bulle Shah. He finally arrived at composer AR Rahman’s doorstep and it was the beginning of a bright future for the singer/ composer. Sukhwinder Singh, who weaves his rustic voice with melody, recollects the struggle he went through before he was appreciated.

The singer has scored for the yet to be released film ‘Halla Bol’. “I still remember some of the top music composers telling me that the poem ‘Chaiyya chaiyya’ was boring and poking fun at me (of course with no bad intentions); but that’s what they thought. Rahman is imaginative and was thoroughly impressed. In half an hour the song was finalised with the Hindi translation written by Gulzar,” says the musician.

As for Sukhwinder’s compositions in ‘Halla Bol’, apparently director Raj Kumar Santoshi was so impressed by the music that he hugged Sukhwinder. “It was a new experience but not difficult at all. It shouldn’t be difficult for a musician to compose and write lyrics. I have also done the background score,” he says adding that he has written the lyrics for a lot of films including Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water’.

After an unsuccessful attempt with his album ‘Nasha Hi Nasha Hai’, the singer is now working on an album with AR Rahman. The two are working closely on something experimental and are exploring various musical landscapes. “It’s just me and him and we will be trying out some new concepts,” says Sukhwinder who started his career with Rahman. “I used to write lyrics for him,” he adds.

Quiz him about the surge of reality shows and what he thinks of the budding talent that is entering the industry and he says, “It might be a platform but I don’t like the drama and the fights that are inserted to pump up the show. Besides, I have never believed in competitions when it comes to music; it should only apply to sports. Music is expression, not competition,” he sums up

Courtesy: Indianinfo.com 

A R Rahman's 10 best compositions

Recently, A R Rahman was asked, by The Hindustan Times, to shortlist his 10 best compositions. These are the films he chose:

Roja

The film starring Arvind Ramaswamy and Madhu made Rahman the darling of Bollywood. He was already a star in South India, but Roja marked his debut and led to a long-lasting impact on the Hindi film industry.


Rangeela

Urmila Matondkar redefined fashion for heroines with her gorgeous costumes in Rangeela. Aamir Khan was at his best, and Rahman's music was outstanding. Unfortunately, the film lost most awards that year to Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.


Bombay

Mani Ratnam and Rahman paired up once again after Roja. Unfortunately, this film was mired in controversy as it explored the relationship between a Hindu boy and Muslim girl. Sonali Bendre, despite her brief appearance, will always be remembered for her Humma Humma.

Dil Se

Lyricist Gulzar and Rahman teamed up for this, one of the best albums of the 90s. The train song, Chhaiya Chhaiya, rendered by Sukhwinder, established him as a singer overnight. Unfortunately, the film was a disaster at the box office despite the music and Shah Rukh Khan playing the lead role.

Taal

It was an association between a Bollywood showman and the Mozart of the East. Subhash Ghai was riding high on the success of Pardes and paired up with Rahman instead of Nadeem-Shravan, who had composed songs for the earlier hit. The songs were huge, but the film did average business.

Kandukonden Kandukonden

It was a marriage between Bollywood heroines and Kollywood. The film had Aishwarya Rai, Tabu, Ajith and Mammooty. It was directed by Rajiv Menon and the songs were outstanding.

Zubeidaa

Directed by Shyam Benegal, this film yielded actress Karishma Kapoor's best performance to date. It was soon forgotten by audiences, but the songs continue to mesmerise.

Lagaan

The only Indian film to be nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar in recent memory. Lyricist Javed Akhtar and Rahman gave it their best.

Rang De Basanti

Only a genius like Rahman, coming from Chennai, can make singer Daler Mehendi sound the way he did in Rang De Basanti. A slow track from Lata Mangeshkar, Lukka Chuppi Bahut Hui, was also soothing.

Guru

In November 2006, when Aishwarya did Umrao Jaan with Abhishek Bachchan, there was no obvious chemistry between them. Three months later, when Guru was released, the couple performed a miracle at the box office. Guru became the first big hit of 2007, and the song Tere Bina sung by Rahman went on and on during the Abhi-Ash wedding.

14 years after Roja, Rahman proved once again there was no one quite like him.

Courtesy: Rediff.com