Govinda experiments with seriousness in 'Raavan'

You have spent more than 25 years in the industry. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being here?

I’m actually a second-generation actor, so for my family it’s been a total of 58 years. My dad was a hero in the ’40s and mom was a classical vocalist. There aren’t any disadvantages since it always gets the best out of you.

You are currently working on as many as five movies.

I’m shooting four movies; after all of the experience, it’s just another day at work for me. I don’t need to manage time or need extra energy. I’m shooting for Naughty @ 40 now. My other movies are Run Bhola Run, Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai, Chai Garam and Raavan.

Tell us about the much awaited film Raavan and your role in it.

My role is very different from the movies which I generally do. The film is inspired by the Ramayana. The characters in the movie have traits similar to that of the people in the epic. I was offered a cameo but after looking at my work Mani Ratnam offered me an elaborate role.

You play Hanuman. How different or similar is your character from the mythological character?

This being commercial cinema you shouldn’t compare it to the Ramayana. Even though certain characters are based on the epic, it isn’t a mythological film. The character in the movie has certain traits of Hanuman but it’s a modern-day movie.

Working with Mani Ratnam must have been an experience.

Mani Ratnam is one of the best directors the industry has seen. I hope this is the beginning of a great association.

But you have never been associated with the Mani Ratnam kind of cinema?

I have done all kind of roles but this is a new experience for me.

You continue to be paired opposite younger heroines. How do you still manage to do so?

I have been on a very balanced exercise and diet regime since the past couple of years.

David Dhawan and you have been an inseparable team. When do we see Partner 2?

David and I are very good friends but it’s not like we are inseparable professionally. We’ve both worked with different people. But we have been very lucky for each other. Whenever the team is ready everyone will know.

Do you want to do more issue-based cinema or are you happy entertaining the masses?

I’m not political when it comes to movies so I do roles which suit my personality, appeals to the audience and where I can deliver my best performance.

When is your daughter getting into movies? Do you have any plans of launching her?

She will get into movies when she gets a good subject. We will see how things turn out to be but my support and blessings will always be with her.

Courtesy:expressindia.com

Rahman decides to go ahead

AR Rahman has decided to go ahead with his concert in Sydney despite attacks on Indians there. Speaking at the press conference, the Oscar winning musician said that he hoped his concert will help pave way to bring in peace and harmony in the country.

The concert is scheduled to be held on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at the Parramatta Park in Sydney.

He was quoted as saying, “"First of all we need more responsible media. Media is a great tool, but grossly misused and can provoke people. Just one comment can kill a thousand people - that has happened in the past.”

Rahman requested the media to be more responsible while reporting the recent killings. He also appealed to the Indians living in Australia to be safe by not venturing out alone in the nights and to places that are frequented by drug addicts and alcoholics.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya: Vintage Rahman

No other album has raised such high expectations or created quite this much frenzy among eager fans like Escape Artists' Motion Pictures' Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Will You Cross the Skies for Me?).
The Tamil movie has everything going for it namely Gautam Menon as its director, Academy Award winner A R Rahman as its composer, and lyricists like Thamarai, Kalyani Menon and Kaithapram.
With Simbhu and Trisha as the lead pair, VTV has been making headlines ever since it was launched as a touching love story with music set to blitzkrieg everyone's heart.
Add to that is the fact this is the composer's return to Tamil after his Oscar success. So, does the collection live up to the hype? Let's find out.
A guitar strums lazily, reminding you very faintly of the old Wild West, and then morphs into something that might be an ancient native Indian chant -- that's Aaromale, sung by Alphonse. The lyrics in Malayalam seem to form a neat accompaniment to the general structure of the song. There's a soothing, gentle feel to the number, an experience that lets you sink into it. The song proper starts some time later, with a faint strain of violins somewhere far off. Even as Alphonse's voice rises to higher octaves, the refrain hugs the original depths, supplying a many-layered experience. An intense number, this.
You sit blinking when you listen to Anbil Avan as you're transported straight to a church choir until you realize that the song, rendered by Devan Ekambaram and Chinmayi, is actually a conglomerate that describes two kinds of religious weddings. The lyrics are all about eternal bonding, unending love and essentially the basics of wedding vows. It's got a peppy feel, full of happy anticipation, an eagerness to seek out the next heady experience, supplemented by synthesized instrumental arrangements. It seems a little like the Ibiza number -- but you're too carried away by its zeal to notice that until the end.
On a half romantic, half mournful note, with a flute interlude begins possibly the most publicized number of the album: Hosanna by Blaaze, Vijay Prakash and Suzanne. The musical arrangement somehow takes you right back to the early days of ARR until you realize which number the refrain, Hosanna, bears a striking resemblance to: Only Time, by Enya. The rap segment closely follows the tune as well; the lyrics celebrate the lover pining away for his beloved until his world shrinks to just her. There's no denying that it's romantic what with church bells pealing, complicated violin arrangements and a chorus which all reach a crescendo in the finale. It's a pleasant listen but still seems "inspired."
The violin rendition in the first few seconds of Kannukkul Kannai is enticing and the number itself, rendered by Naresh Iyer in a fast- and almost breathless manner that aims to bring the heady feeling of being in love. Aside from the violin segment, though, you feel like this is a musical arrangement you've heard often in Rahman's earlier albums, and faithfully mimicked by others following in his footsteps. In terms of ARR numbers, it's pretty run-of-the-mill.
Shreya Goshal's melodious voice begins Mannippaya with anguish, and it morphs gradually into a more gentle melody. Remorse and forgiveness are the prevalent themes of this number, and the soothing tones suit the sentiment, with ARR himself providing the accompaniment. Appealing, yes, but the lyrics have precedence in this song and the tune seems to have been composed to accommodate it. Even the flute segment reminds you of the signature tune of Titanic. Thekural couplets that suddenly appear take you by surprise. They're a pleasant listen -- and then it's back to the meandering tune.
Kalyani Menon and Benny Dhayal begin Omanappenne, which seems like a fusion between western and classical music with a violin suddenly launching into a classical melody at certain points. And that's the essence of the whole song: a gentle composition which attempts to crossover from one genre to another, while a nadaswaram makes a not unwelcome appearance to add a different flavour to the proceedings. Having said that, we've heard many such numbers from ARR himself, and with more variation.
Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, accompanied by guitar strings and rendered by Karthik, comes in a different fashion altogether. It's slow, introspective, and the general tone doesn't seem to care much whether it hits the highs and lows of notes in an approved manner, which is actually a plus. The tune moves from contemplative to contentment to interrogative, and that seems to be the essence of the number itself: all the different emotions encompassed in one question.
It isn't possible to toss an opinion of an A R Rahman album based on just one listen. This composer has a talent for coming up with numbers that grow on you.
Lyricist Thamarai stands out, as well. Having said that, it doesn't look like VTV is one of her best efforts.
Blame the post-Oscar hype or the burden of too many projects but aside from a few moments of brilliant heights, ARR pretty much sticks to his proven template.
In this collection, he's gone more for the western crowd, it seems and there's little space for experimentation. A discerning music-lover might be left yearning for something more. For diehard ARR fans though, it's a musical treat.
Rediff Rating:

Courtesy:rediff.com

Harris made me responsible: Rahman

Mozart of Madras A R Rahman was in his hometown Tuesday to launch the music album of his first post-Oscar film 'Vinnaithandi Varuvaya', directed by Goutham Vasudev Menon.

"There was great responsibility on my shoulders top deliver a hit album as in the past Harris Jayaraj and Goutham combo has delivered chartbusters," Rahman said in his short speech.

A group of singers including Karthik, Sreenivas, Benny Dayal, Chinmayi and Alphonse sang the numbers live on stage. Three songs were also screened on the occasion, for which Kamal Haasan was the special guest.

Speaking about his experiences working with Rahman, Goutham said, "It is my eighth film and first with Rahman. It was a great experience working with him".

"VTV is a romantic entertainer with Silambarasan and Trisha in lead roles. It is a feel-good film sure to enthrall audience," he added.


Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Gautham's change in mind

Although it was a gangster story, Gautham scripted for Ajith, looks like he had a change in mind now - or so it is speculated. In effect, the Gautham Menon – Ajith flick will not be a gangster story since the former has completely readied a fresh script. This will be a cop tale and Ajith’s latest looks (that he sported during the Asal audio launch) corroborates this.

The change seems to have happened since Ajith’s Asal is touted to be a gangster flick and two movies of the same genre back to back might make the fans lose interest. The actual storyline, however, will be known only when Gautham himself confirms it.

With Ajith free of Asal’s commitments and Gautham of VTV, the new project is expected to go on floors anytime soon.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

VTV - on what Gautham did to Silambarasan!

Rest assured Gautham is poised to make a romantic blockbuster in 2010 with his upcoming Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa. If the footages shown at the audio launch held today at Satyam cinemas are anything to go by, Gautham has created a visual treat – both pleasing and tantalizing. Silambarasan looks fresh and Trisha is in her usual somber self.

VTV, by all means, could become a career breakthrough for Silambarasan for he’s portrayed in a never seen before role. He oozes refinement and is blissfully devoid of all his usual flamboyance. Besides, everything from his dialogue delivery, body language and voice modulation is attuned to suit the movie’s tone - a complete makeover of sorts.

Three beautifully shot songs; Kannukkul Kannai, Hosanna and Omana Penne were shown during the event all of which received standing ovation at the auditorium. Of this, Omana Penne song could well become the chartbuster right away and stand testimony for the unspoken and often pent-up love between lovers.

All the songs from the album were performed live on stage and the first copy of the album was released by A R Rahman and received by Kamal. Kamal lauded Silambarasan for his efforts and expressed his desire to watch the movie very soon. Rahman, who spoke at the event, mentioned that he’s leaving it to the fans to decide on the music. Trailer of the movie was also screened at the event.

Silambarasan plays an Asssistant Director who falls for a Malayali Christian gal played by Trisha. A leaf out of Gautham’s real life? We really have no clue. But he did agree that Vaaranam Aayiram was indeed semi-autobiographical though.

VTV is all set to hit the screens on Valentine’s Day in 2010.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

Vaaliban Silambarasan - Nayan love story?

Silambarasan has completed Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya and is moving on to Ko, as announced earlier. However, there is buzz in the tinsel town that his proposed directorial venture Vaaliban is based on his brief fling with Nayanthara in real life.

Reacting to this, the actor has said that he was disturbed about reports that Vaaliban is inspired from his love life. He says that while the world knows about the love he shared with Nayan and the subsequent rift, Vaaliban is all about one-side love. So where is the similarity, asks Silambarasan.

He reveals that the heroine in the film will never love the hero, so the question of touting the film as a real life love story does not arise.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Shankar trying to match AR Rahman's work

Shankar and expensive sets have always been synonymous. We have seen it before in Anniyan and Sivaji. So, will Endhiran be left out? No! Endhiran team is planning to create an extravagant set to shoot a song. What is so special about this song is that director Shankar and art director Thotta Tharani have made extra efforts. The Shankar - Thotta Tharani combo has worked exceptionally well and Thotta Tharani is also behind the the fascinating, dream-like set created for the song 'va ji va ji' for Sivaji. Rumor also has it that AR Rahman has plans to rope in about eight top Bollywood singers to croon for his music. So the set will be a complement to the song, we hear.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Rahman-Shankar for Tamil Conference

Musical Storm A R Rahman who did the fabulous musical album ‘Vante Mataram’ to celebrate the 50th year of Indian Independence has been roped in to do similar theme songs for the World Classical Tamil Conference. Chief Minister Karunanidhi who liked the suggestion of bringing in A R Rahman into the promotional plans immediately sanctioned all the requirements to get the best for the conference.

The song will also be visualized for videos and it is none other than director Shankar who would be doing them. The musicals will be seen in all the media during the conference period.

When two giants join for a cause it is fireworks time.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Rahman scorches the 'Screen'

Honours faithfully follow Rahman wherever he goes. Or even if he doesn't go. On Saturday, the Best Music at the 16th Annual Star Screen Awards in Mumbai was bagged by Rahman for 'Dilli 6'.

Junior Bachchan Abishekh received the award with all smiles on behalf of the Oscar-winning musician. The show stealers however were '3 Idiots' and R Balki’s 'Paa', which won trophies for best performances.

‘Paa’ got the adman turned filmmaker a nomination for the Best Director. Amitabh Bachchan won the award for Best Actor (Male) for his portrayal of Auro, who has a degenerative disease, progeria.

For 'Paa', Vidya Balan bagged her first Best Actor (Female) trophy for the role of Auro’s single mother. Arundhati Nag, who played Auro’s grandmother (called Bum, by Auro in the film), was awarded Best Supporting Actor (Female).

'3 Idiots' won the following awards: Best Film, Best Director (Rajkumar Hirani), Best Editor (Rajkumar Hirani), Best Screenplay (Rajkumar Hirani, Abhijat Joshi, Vidhu Vinod Chopra), Best Choreographer (Bosco Ceaser), Best Dialogue (Abhijat Joshi), Best Newcomer – Male (Omi Vaidya), Best Actor in a Comic Role – Male (Omi Vaidya), Best Actor in a Negative Role (Boman Irani), Popular Choice Award for Best Actor – Female (Kareena Kapoor).

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Preview of VTV songs from Amazon.com

	Song Title	Artist	Time	Price
	1. Omana Penne	Benny Dayal;Kalyani Menon	5:32	Not Available
	2. Anbil Avan	Devan Ekhambaram;Chinmayi	4:12	Not Available
	3. Vinnathaandi Varuvaayaa	Karthik	3:12	Not Available
	4. Hosanna	Vijay Prakash;Suzanne;Blaaze	5:30	Not Available
	5. Kannukkul Kannai	Naresh Iyer	3:52	Not Available
	6. Mannipaaya	A.R. Rahman;Shreya Ghoshal	6:56	Not Available
	7. Aaromale	Alphonse

Courtesy: amazon.com

Ghajini's new distinction

the fifth Apsara Film and TV Producers Guild Awards were presented recently amidst much fanfare at the Chitrakoot Grounds at Andheri. The Best Actor award went to Shah Rukh Khan for starring in the film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and the Best Actress award was bagged by Priyanka Chopra for the film Kaminey.

The director of Ghajini was adjudged the Best Director. The film’s screenplay also went on to win the Best Screenplay award.

Amitabh Bachchan was awarded with the Best Lifetime Achievement award.

Courtesy: behindwoods.com

How Soundarya selected her man?

“Soundarya Rajinikanth will marry Ashwin, son of Chennai based business tycoon Ram Kumar.” Before this news hit the media on Thursday morning, a lot had happened in the background, say sources in the know.

“Ashwin is a good friend of Soundarya. In fact, she had even introduced him to her father Rajinikanth once. The Superstar was happy about her daughter entering film production and planning some big movies.”

“However, the filing of a case against Soundarya’s firm Ocher Picture Productions in the Madras High Court recently made the Superstar to worry a lot. He did not like his daughter waging legal battles and wanted her to settle in life peacefully.”

“It was then the idea of marriage struck him. When Rajini, along with wife Latha, asked Soundarya to think about her marriage, she named Ashwin as her choice. Following this, a lot of consultations and enquiries were made after which Rajini happily gave consent to the marriage,” sources maintain.

On Ashwin, they say, “An engineering graduate, he did his higher studies in the United States. He is currently looking after his father’s construction business.”

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Spielberg wants to work with Rahman

In a recent interview to a popular daily, noted film maker Steven Spielberg was questioned about AR Rahman and his winning the coveted Oscars. The director-producer said that he would prefer to work with him some time soon and has heard some of his compositions.

He was quoted as saying, “I have heard interesting compositions of Rahman and would love to work with him in the near future though my all-time favorite is John Williams.”

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Who is Trisha?

Trisha is playing Jessie, a Mallu Christian in Goutham Vasudev Menon’s ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’. Her co-star Silambarasan is doing an aspiring filmmaker, who wants to make it big in cinema, say sources.

Claiming that the movie would be as breezy as Goutham Menon’s maiden venture ‘Minnale’, sources say the knot of ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ was conceived from one of the real life experiences of the director.

“Even ‘Minnale’ and ‘Varanam Aayiram’ too were inspired by Goutham’s life. ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ would be a trend setting movie in love genre. Get ready for a different experience,” they say with all hope and optimism.

Echoing them, Silambarasan says, “Though I have already done many action films, I always wanted to do something like ‘Minnale’. ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’ happened thankfully. It is going to be one of the important movies in my career.”

Even Trisha too says the same. ““It is a soft romantic story. It is close to reality and hence, it is so close to my heart. I am happy to work with Silambarasan, my good friend, and Goutham Menon.”

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

VTV audio will be available online

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya’s audio was launched amidst much fanfare in London, last month. It is the first Tamil film for which AR Rahman had scored music after winning the coveted Oscar award. VTV audio rights have been lapped up by Sony Music India. The film stars Silambarasan and Trisha and has been directed by Gautham Menon. VTV is expected to hit the screens in February and the music will be available from January onwards.

According to the press release, “The music of VTV will be released physically on CDs & Cassettes across the world and via Amazon online retail store. Digitally VTV music will be available on iTunes, Nokia Store, and iPhone application on the first week of January… A user who downloads the songs on his iPhone or iPod will not be able transfer it to any other
unauthorized device.”

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

‘VTV’ songs from Jan 12

For Rahman fans, this year’s Pongal celebrations would start from January 12 itself. The reason is- audio CDs and cassettes of ‘Vinnaithandi Varuvaya’, the music composer’s first Tamil venture after winning the Oscars, will be available in stores from coming Tuesday.

The music album of the Silambarasan-Trisha starrer, directed by Goutham Vasudev Menon, was released in London recently. The function was attended by top musicians in the United Kingdom, besides select guests from Chennai.

‘VTV’ is the first film for Goutham and Rahman to work together. “I am happy that Rahman’s first film after the Oscar honour is directed by me. His music is one of the major highlights of the movie,” says the filmmaker.

Heaping praises on Rahman, the movie’s heroine Trisha says, “I am a great fan of Rahman since my school days. I was literally flying when I was told that he would compose music for ‘VTV’. I had the opportunity to interact with him. He was so simple and humble.”

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

The controversial director is back

Deepa Mehta will begin the shooting of her film, which is based on Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children. The book, incidentally, won the Booker Prize. Deepa is a critically acclaimed and controversial director who has directed films like Fire and Water.

As quoted by the IANS, Mehta said, “We’ve just finished the screenplay and we’re going to do the casting in the next couple of weeks. We hope to start filming in September.”

For the time being it looks like Nandita Das, Seema Biswas and Shabana Azmi will be cast in the film for sure. There are also reports that Rani Mukherjee could be signed up.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

‘Endhiran’ action on train

If an action sequence is filmed on top of a running train then that scene is sure to become one of the highlights of the movie. Movies like ‘Senthoorapove’ in which Vijayakanth and Ramki ran all over the train to fight the villains was one of the much talked action scenes of the nineties. Director Shankar later filmed a memorable train action sequence for his ‘Gentleman’.

Now Shankar is doing it again. And this time it is going to be bigger and better because it is for ‘Endhiran’. Film lovers would not have forgotten the hair rising train action scene in ‘Murattukalai’ in which the super star performed some scintillating actions. The train fight in ‘Murattukalai’ is by far the best action sequence on a moving train so far. The classic action deserves special status because it was done at a time when special effects were very rare and computer graphics was no where. Director SP Muthuraman has himself stated on many occasions that the super star performed most of the stunts with out a dupe for the sequence.

Now Shankar has just completed the shoot of an action scene on a train for his ‘Endhiran’. The location was Lonavala near Mumbai. As the location comes in the railway heritage corridor between Mumbai and Pune special permission was granted by the railway ministry at the behest of our Home Minister P. Chidambaram. Here too the Super Star has performed the action scenes without using body double under Peter Hein master.

When two greats in Shankar and Rajini are coming together for a similar scene you can expect it to be the mother of all actions.

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

‘Endhiran’ on the Web

We already know Director Bala has his own website to update his activities to his fans and well wishers. Now we learn that ace director Shankar also has reworked his website. Though the site is not updated periodically the site has enough reasons to make it more special than any.

What’s so special? Shankar’s site has the latest working stills and more of ‘Endhiran’ the film. Some of the Rajini pictures show Rajini at his prime youth and at most stylish. Surely a treat for his fans.

What is the reason for Shankar to refurbish his site? Media have been constantly complaining the non availability of ‘Endhiran’ material for publicity.

Shankar being a media friendly person always thinks of innovative ways to keep the media happy and he finally decided to renovate his website and uploaded the photos of ‘Endhiran’ for others to see and use.

Shankar has more online activities planned as the release date gets closer. Watch out fanatics!

Courtesy:indiaglitz.com

Shankar blogs about Endhiran!

Director Shankar’s blog will give you all the information you have been looking for, including his films, both directorial as well as production ventures. The director will answer all the queries that he receives as and when time permits.

Well, the latest news that all of us are eagerly waiting for is about Endhiran. According to the blog, about 90 per cent of the film’s shooting has been completed and the team had recently returned from Pune and Lonavala.

Check out the news about Endhiran and treat yourself to the film’s stills at http://www.directorshankaronline.com/!

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

International standards at Rahman's conservatory

A.R. Rahman’s brainchild, the KM Music Conservatory in Kodambakkam, Chennai now boasts of international faculty brought together from various parts of the world, all of them products of the most prestigious schools of music. The faculty consists of alumni of the Boston Conservatory, the University of California, the Trinity College, the Royal College of Music and many other such esteemed names. With such an imposing line up of musicians in the faculty, the quality of musical instruction available at the KM Music Conservatory is, beyond doubt, of an international standard.

The conservatory, of which Rahman himself is the principal, offers course programs affliated by the Middlesex University. The programs include a preparatory program (2-5 years), a foundation program (1-2 years), a degree program (three year) and a diploma program (2 years).

The conservatory envisions expanding the horizon of musicians in India by offering education in both Indian and Western music besides music technology and its mission is to provide students with a strong artistic, intellectual, and technical foundation. The KM Music conservatory can serve as a model for other similar institutions to be set up in India to enhance the quality of music and musicians produced by our country.

Courtesy:behindwoods.com

Endhiran - Latest Images

Courtesy:oneindia.in

Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaaya ~ Latest Images

Courtesy: vikatan.com

Hosanna... from VTV makes a splash!

Academy award winner AR Rahman’s first Tamil film album Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa (VTV) after he got the Oscars, is creating tsunami waves with fans even before the official release of the album!
A 30 second clip from VTV, “Hosanna..” sung by Blaze, Vijay Prakash and Suzanne has been released on youtube. It has created a stir among fans of ARR, who are still waiting eagerly for the official audio launch of the film by Sony Music in India in the first week of January 2010.
The clipping has been taken from AR Rahman interview in London on the BBC world news, talking about Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa music translated very romantically as “Will you cross the skies for me?”
VTV directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, a past master in song picturisation has Silambarasan and Trisha in the lead. The ‘Hosanna’ song simply rocks with superb choreography by Flexy Stu ( the guy who choreographed the “Adiye Kollathu..” in Vaaranam Aayiram) and picturised on Simbu and Trisha in Malta, by cameraman Manoj Paramahamsa.
Flexy Stu is Bollywood hunk Hrithik Roshan’s favourite choreographer and they have done hit commercials including the Hide-n-Seek biscuit. In his upcoming film, Kites, Hrithik Roshan and Kangana Ranaut learned the difficult dance steps from Flexy.

The views expressed in the article are the author's and not of Sify.com.



Courtesy:sify.com

I’m waiting for the Grammys: Rahman

They’re being held on January 31, at LA, and the Oscar-winning music composer has won two nominations for his soundtrack from Slumdog Millionaire. The song Jai Ho – which fetched Rahman two Academy awards and a Golden Globe – has been nominated for ‘Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media’ and also for ‘Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media’.

Rahman, naturally, is pleased. “The Grammy is as exciting as the Oscar. It’s the ultimate music award, isn’t it? Although it’s a nomination for a  film song, the Grammy is still another shot in the arm for Jai Ho. Any recognition is welcome.” Not strangely, he feels a huge sense of responsibility. “I hope I never let down my country, my people, my music, my family and myself,” said the music genius who has just returned home from Los Angeles.

Rahman, meanwhile, is unhappy with the outcome of his first Hollywood soundtrack. “The music of Couples Retreat got a good response. But I feel my music was not used properly. I guess you can’t expect music to have much of a place in a comedy. They were more into laughter than music,” he complained, adding, “The music has all been used. But not the way my fans would expect. I was prepared for the outcome when I entered this project.” So he’s not really disappointed by his first foray into Hollywood. “If I had waited for the perfect Hollywood vehicle, I might have had to wait endlessly. It’s not easy for an Asian to enter into Hollywood camps. It’s a new beginning for me. I got great reviews.”

He’s got a lot of offers but also has a tough schedule this year to be able to give any more time to new commitments. And, contrary to rumours, acting is not one of Rahman’s forthcoming commitments. “That’s completely false news,” he said shocked. “I am not going into acting. I’m going to be speaking in a documentary on my friend, the  musician P J Mortan. We’ve known each other for some time. He collaborated with me for a track in Couples Retreat. That’s it. I’ve no aspirations to go into acting. God has given me one skill and I’m very happy with it.”


Courtesy:timesofindia.com

Oscar winner Rahman’s three albums being released in the near future

Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman’s (Slumdog Millionaire) three albums will be released in the near future, according to reports.

“Sivaji the boss” (Hindi version) has seven tracks and Rahman himself has sung one song “Aandhiki Tarha” in it with Sayonara on the lyrics of Raqueeb Alam. Directed by Shankar, its lyrics have been provided by Nitin Raikwar, Raqueeb Alam, and P.K. Mishra.

“Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa” (Tamil), on the Sony Music label, also has seven tracks, including theme track “Mannipaaya” sung by Rahman himself with Shreya Ghoshal. Lyrics for this film, which are in Tamil and Malayalam, have been provided by Thamarai, while it was directed by Goutham Vasudev Menon.

Adlabs produced animated “Sultan The Warrior” (Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, English) is directed by Soundarya Rajnikanth.

Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, commended multi-talented and innovative Rahman for bringing East and West closer through music and for making the world look at Indian film music more seriously. Diversity of his styles and themes was appealing to different sections of the society, Zed, who is chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, added.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras'' by Time magazine. Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”.

Copyright mediaforfreedom.com

Courtesy:mediaforfreedom.com

Sony bags Rahman's Tamil, Telugu projects

Sony Music has bagged the music rights of  A R Rahman's next project Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya. The music was launched earlier this week at the Bafta Awards with much fanfare.

Divulging the marketing plans for the project, Sony Music Southern Repertoire head Ashok Parwani says, "We intend to make Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya a crossover album as we believe A R Rahman as a brand and this music has the power to transcend language and regional barriers. We will service the song videos to all leading music channels – Tamil and National as AR Rahman has a universal reach. Apart from servicing of songs on the radio and the web, we have a lot of on-ground and retail level innovations planned out in the form of road shows, special contests with instant gratifications, meet and greet with the cast and crew. On the digital and mobile front, we have a lot of innovations planned including the iPhone application – which will be a global first for Sony Music India."

The music label has also bagged Rahman's next regional project. "We also have A R Rahman’s next Telugu blockbuster 'Puli' one of the most awaited movie of the year in the Telugu industry," Parwani adds. The movie stars Pawan Kalyan, Nikisha Patel and Manoj Bajpai and is directed by SJ Suryah.

Widening its regional portfolio Sony would also release the music of Rajnikanth starrer “Sivaji – The Boss” in Hindi. Talking about the Hindi projects whose audio rights Sony Music has bagged Sony Music marketing director Sanujeet Bhujabal says, "As far as the other Hindi projects are concerned, we have three big projects, but we will be announcing them in the next couple of months."

Courtesy:radioandmusic.com

Rahman voted Indian of the Year 2009 by India Today online poll

Music composer A.R. Rahman, who won 2 Oscars for his score in Slumdog Millionaire, was voted the Indian of the Year 2009 in an online poll conducted by www.indiatoday.in.

Rahman got 27 per cent of the votes polled by visitors to the website. The Mozart of Madras was followed at some distance by Congress general secretary and Amethi MP Rahul Gandhi at 17.42 per cent (also the highest ranking politician) and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar at 16.67 per cent.

The top performing industrialist was Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata who got 12.5 per cent of the votes. Among other politicians, former Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in September, scored 8.7 per cent of the votes followed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at 7.9 per cent, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi at 4.2 per cent and BJP parliamentary party chairman L.K. Advani at 2.7 per cent.

The only nominee not to get even a solitary vote was former Jharkhand CM Madhu Koda, who has been charged with massive corruption during his tenure.

The other contenders were Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Home Minister P. Chidambaram, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, item girl-turned-TV star Rakhi Sawant, killer opener Virender Sehwag, Unique ID card project chief Nandan Nilekani, badminton player Saina Nehwal, film actor Amitabh Bachchan and Team India skipper M.S. Dhoni.

Courtesy:intoday.in