Growing demand for Rahman’s tunes

The tunes of AR Rahman has been relished by music lovers from ‘Roja’, ‘Mumbai’, ‘Gentleman’, ‘Donga Donga’, ‘Rangeela’, ‘Indian’, ‘Prema Desam’, ‘Jeans’, ‘Taal’, ‘Sakhiya’, ‘Lagaan’, ‘Amrutha’, ‘Naani’, ‘Jodhaa Akbar’, ‘Yuvraaj’ to ‘Ghajini’ and the endless list goes on..

Rahman’s double Oscar glory is surging in the country and the demand for his albums in the market is now raging high with patrons thronging towards the stores.

Within this past two weeks, the sales have gone up by more than thirty percent. Store dealers have ordered extra copies of the albums ‘Bombay Dreams’, ‘Signature Collections’, ‘Vandematharam’, ‘Live in Dubai’ and ‘Between Heaven and Earth’. 

The signature tune of Airtel is on air all over India depicting Rahman’s stature and sale records are in a never-seen-before consign in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. Along with movie albums, patriotic and international albums are emptying the stocks, as said by retailers.

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

A R Rahman Get 10 cr For Endhiran!

Music maestro A R Rahman, now busy composing tunes for Shankar’s `Robot’, has charged the producer of the film a fee of Rs 10 Crore!

`Robot’, with Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai in the lead, is all set to hit the floors soon. Currently, Shankar is on a global location hunt, while Rajni is getting ready for Shankar’s “most ambitious project till date”.

Teaming up with the best has always been the Shankar norm. Who else but Rahman, who has revolutionised Indian film music industry, would fit the bill?

Rahman is learnt to be straining his every nerve to ensure that the music would be something to remember and cherish.

Shankar had set India to the foot-tapping numbers of Rahman, with ‘Gentleman’ (1992). Who can forget the impact that “chik puk chik puk raile” and “Ottakathe kettikko” had on the Indian music lover? The stunner-of-a-music-score had instantly raised Rahman to iconic status. In no time, the humble wizard from Chennai became the toast of the Indian music world.

All the films, which Shankar later directed, except for ‘Annyan’, had Rahman’s lilting numbers as their hallmark.
‘Kathalan’, ‘Jeans’, ‘Muthalvan’, ‘Nayak’ (Hindi), ‘Boys’- all these Shankar-ARR albums went on to become chartbusters.

It was rumoured that after ‘Boys’ the duo fell out on some “silly misunderstanding”.

Anyway, bereft of each other’s company, each of them went about their jobs and reaped success.

They joined hands once again with the superhit ‘Sivaji- The Boss’, and all the five numbers became chartbusters. The first edition of ‘Sivaji’ was sold out in three days after the audio release in South India.

Now, it is time for another superhit from the infallible duo.

Courtesy: zimbio.com

Aish speaks on ‘Robot’ & Rajini

Aishwarya Rai, who keeps details about her film close to her heart, has opened out on her Tamil venture ‘Robot’ opposite Rajinikanth.

When asked about ‘Robot’, Aishwarya said, 'I want to work with Rajinikanth. He is phenomenal. Everyone speaks of this experience. I'll actually go through the experience. It's very important for me to come away with something from my films since I give so much.'

The film is directed by Shankar, who gave Aishwarya her first break in ‘Jeans’.

'It's a total Rajini-Shankar styled entertainer. There's no logic as to why I agreed to do it beyond the urge to work with Rajinikanth. Shankar and Rajini have approached me for so many films, it's embarrassing.'

'Ever since we did ‘Jeans’ together Shankar has approached me for all his films except ‘Boys’.

'Rajinikanth, being the senior that he is, has shown no egoistic traits in approaching me for his last four-five films. And my refusal to do his films was never misconstrued by him. I admire him for that. It speaks volumes for his seniority and his caliber as a human being to never take offence to my no', she said.

Aishwarya Rai said, 'technically the movie it will take cinema to another level. I can only say I'll come away enriched.'

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

'Jodhaa Akbar is the story of married love'

It's not every day that you get to work in a film like Jodhaa Akbar, says Aishwarya Rai.

A well-written part, which is very feminine and delicate, and a director (Ashutosh Gowarikar) with focus and clarity do not often come together, she tells Arthur J Pais, in an exclusive interview.

Ash plays a Rajput princess in the film, who becomes a reluctant bride to the Mughal king Akbar when she discovers that the marriage is a political move.



Read on as the 34-year old discusses her joy in working with co-star Hrithik Roshan, her admiration for Gowarikar and music composer A R Rahman, and what she expects from Robot, a sci-film she has just signed with Tamil superstar Rajnikanth.

What attracted you to Jodhaa Akbar?

When I heard that I could be playing Jodha, I was immediately intrigued. And anything that Ashutosh Gowarikar offers has to be substantial. The subject also intrigued me.

As I was going through the script, it became clear that the film is about a love story that has not been told before. In other films dealing with the Mughals, the relationship between Akbar and Jodha was taken for granted.

How is the love story of Jodha and Akbar different from the standard love stories?

This is the story of married love. It is pure and innocent. It is the discovery of true love only after marriage. Their love for each other grows despite some initial complications and political adversities. And the way Ashutosh Gowarikar has narrated it is both engaging and thrilling.

Were you worried about the film being a historical? Some people in the film industry may worry that a historical film may not be able to draw a large number of viewers?

I knew from the start that Jodhaa Akbar was not going to offer history lessons. I had watched Ashutosh's films, and wondered if we would work together some day. I trust him completely. I knew he was making a historical but history is just a background for an intriguing love story between two powerful people. I also thought the film has a contemporary edge to it.

What is contemporary about it?

The film is about the courageous decision a Rajput princess makes in marrying the enemy of her people. It needed incredible strength and courage for Jodha to make the decision in the interest of her people. Later, she worked very hard to make sure the relationship succeeded.

In India, despite the concept of love marriages we have in urban centres, arranged marriages take place everyday. I would think 90 percent of all marriages in India are arranged in one way or the other. My parents and my brother also had arranged marriages. Many of these people have to work hard and use their emotional resources to make their marriages work.

You look at Jodha and Akbar in the film and start thinking: they came together not under the happiest circumstances and yet, their marriage worked.

The film offers insights into relationships that are relevant today. Jodha and Akbar took great risks in their relationship. This film shows what might have gone in their minds and how they might have negotiated their life's journey.

This is your second film with Hrithik Roshan after the superhit, Dhoom: 2.

We have a similar approach towards acting and we enjoy diverse kind of films. We became good friends while working on Dhoom: 2.

We're fortunate to be working together in two films that are at the two ends of the spectrum. While Dhoom: 2 was an outrageous entertainment, Jodhaa Akbar explores an intense relationship between two dynamic people.

Gowarikar says seeing your work in the film makes him feel you are Jodha personified.

When a director says something like that, it goes to show his sensitivity and appreciation.

I have worked with some of the most seasoned filmmakers (including Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Devdas, Subash Ghai in Taal). But working with Gowarikar was quite an experience.

The script is detailed and focused. He has immense clarity and knows precisely where the film is going. He is very generous with the artists. He gets the best out of you.

More than anything else, I have come to respect him as a human being. I have watched him deal with everyone, from junior artists to stars with respect and consideration. The film required a lot of stamina and there were long spells of shooting. But because of Gowarikar's nature and Hrithik's presence, one never felt the stress.

This is one of the more complex roles you have taken up in your career. Did you wonder if you could do full justice to it?

I never approach a film with fear, rather I do it with excitement. That has been my work philosophy right from the start.

I was always there for a director, no matter how big or small the film. In the case of Jodhaa Akbar, I felt excited the moment Gowarikar mentioned the project. I knew immediately I was doing something extraordinary.

What is it like working in a film that had music by A R Rahman?

Like many of his films, the music in Jodhaa Akbar will take some time getting used to. But once it gets into your heart and soul, you won't be able to get it out. The way Gowarikar has used Rahman's music in Jodhaa Akbar will make you want to listen to it as soon as the film is over.

I have worked in many films where Rahman has done the music, starting from my very first film, Iruvar, which Mani Sir (Ratnam) directed over a decade ago.

Then, there was the song Barso Re in Guru which was picturised on me. Originally, Rahman had composed a nice tune which was supposed to be picturised on me riding a bicycle. But I fell off the bike and hurt myself. So a new situation for the song had to be created and Rahman came up with Barso Re.

Any new projects?

I'm doing Robot in Tamil with Rajni Sir (Rajnikanth), which I guess will be dubbed in many languages including Hindi and Telugu. Rahman will be composing the music for Robot.

I would also be working with director Shankar Sir again, after Jeans.

Courtesy: Rediff.com

"Saying no to Shankar & Rajini can be a problem"

Aishwarya Rai opened up to the media first time on her upcoming Tamil project – 'Robot' to be directed by the renowned craftsman Shankar. She would star against Superstar Rajinikanth. Readers might remember that most of the heroine roles in Rajini's last few projects starting from Nilambari in 'Padayappa' were offered to Aishwarya Rai, only to be turned down owing to the date issues of the actress.

Talking on Shankar and Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai expressed, "They are super entertainers, independently and together; it can be a problem saying no to them. I did get an enquiry last year when I was away on Pink Panther. This time I am happy that we could work out our schedule."

On heroines getting sidelined in a Rajini movie, Aishwarya was quick to refute the claim, "I don't think it's a fair statement. You can't but be fascinated by this phenomenon called Rajini sir. He is so super fascinating and intriguing to his audience. I don't think it's a deliberate attempt by any director to sideline any actor / character working along with him."

She went on to add, "Rajini Sir is such a wonderful human being. He has been so close to the family too. I am glad and honored to be working with him"

With Shankar finally managing to rope in Aishwarya Rai into his dream project, the expectations on 'Robot' would now touch sky high. The project to be produced by Ayngaran and Eros International has A.R.Rahman for music and will be the second film for Aishwarya Rai under Shankar's direction after 'Jeans'.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Aishwarya to star opposite Rajnikanth

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan disclosed that she would be doing the lead role opposite Rajnikanth in Shankar's mega venture Robot. "They (Rajnikanth and Shankar) are pure creative people, saying no can be such an issue....", Aishwarya said in a TV interview.

Ash, who plays 'Jodha' in her soon-to-be released period flick Jodha Akbar, said that Robot's director Shankar narrated her the script and she made it a point to "work out" the entire proposal.

The Bachchan bahu will play the lead role in Robot opposite superstar Rajnikanth, whose last film Sivaji is a running hit. Ash gestured with a salute and said "hats off" to the skill and creativity of Rajnikanth.

"They (Rajnikanth and Shankar) are super entertainers, independently and together", she said as she recounted her association with Shankar, who directed her in the 1998 Tamil film Jeans. Expressing surprise about the news of her being the highest paid actor in a Rajnikanth flick, Aishwarya said, "It's not that as much as speculated."

Talking about her family's announcement of an Aishwarya Rai Girls’ School in Barabanki of Uttar Pradesh, she said she felt "very humbled and privileged" on the commitment that her family has made.

Courtesy: Newindpress.com