The much awaited Jodha Akbar

From Ashutosh Gowariker, the director of the Oscar nominee Lagaan and the critically acclaimed Swades, comes this big-budget extravaganza Jodha Akbar. This mammoth production of the epic love story, between the Mughal Emperor Jallaludin Akbar and the Rajput Princess Jodha, has been one of Bollywood's much-awaited movies.

Hrithik Roshan plays Akbar while Aishwarya Rai plays Jodha in this film with music by none other than A R Rahman. The movie was slated for an October 12, EID weekend release but was later postponed to January 25 due to delay in post production and visual effects.All those present at the Sathyam Cinemas on October 12th were in for a surprise as they got to see its trailer. The trailer received accolades from all quarters, and has managed to generate enough buzz about the movie - even to those who weren't aware of it. Those who saw the trailer were all awe about the scale of production and the Marhaba song played in the background. Guess Bollywood has mastered the art of making great trailers; let's hope the movie lives up to its expectations Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

ATM audio release

Vijay fans now have a reason to rejoice as their Ilaya Thalapathy’s much-awaited Azhagiya Tamizh Magan is going to hit the screens on Diwali. The film happens to have generated enough curiosity as it marks the coming together of A R Rahman and Vijay. Though the pair had worked together earlier for Udhaya, it did not create an impact due to its delayed release.

ATM on the other hand has been announced with much fanfare as Vijay pairs up with Shriya for the first time. And this is her first release after Sivaji, which has gone as per schedule. The final cut is being readied and theatres have also been blocked. The movie’s brisk pace is evident from the audio release date, which was announced recently. Rahman who has scored all the tunes and the audio is to hit the stores on 15th October. They have got their timing right! With just three weeks ahead of its release in theatres, it is just about enough time for Rahman’s tunes to grow on its listeners. The movie has five songs and sources say Vijay has crooned a number for this movie; the release of the CD’s should put an end to all this guessing!"

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman’s Golden age has come

Not long ago, we heard that Rahman was composing songs for Shekar Kapur’s Elizabeth-the Golden Age. The movie was screened at the recently concluded Toronto International Film Festival, and is said to have received rave reviews. Elizabeth-the Golden Age released yesterday, received accolades from the critics, and some went on to say it is one the finest epic films in recent times.

The battle sequences were stunning, and according to some critics its visuals appear like a painting coming alive. What is heart warming is the fact that A R Rahman’s musical score has come in for a special mention. “A musical score by Craig Armstrong and A R Rahman is virtually a character in itself, huffing and puffing through nearly every scene, provoking tension and calling characters to action,” says the Hollywood Reporter. Chennaiites will have to wait a while before they can be witness to all the grandeur, as the movie is not going to hit the screens any time soon, for the restless souls there are trailers available on the net.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Chinese plagiarism hurts Rahman

Gone are the days when Indian musicians composed music albums drawing inspiration from other sources. It's time now for us to share the limelight. Not so long ago, lovers of international music would come up with the name of the original version as soon as they heard an Indian film song; and this is not confined to Tamil songs alone. Now it is the other way round.

With the advent of the internet and the likes of Rahman at the helm of Indian music, it has been ensured that their tunes reach far and wide. This deserves special mention as it has not only spread our music across the continents but has even created awareness about Indian music in general. On the flip side, it has also ended up as 'inspiration' for other music composers. This is true in China where popular Taiwanese singer Kelly Poon has recorded Rahman's 'Shakalaka Baby' in her latest album, in Mandarin. Yao Chien, the composer and producer of the album claims his company, Ursa Major, has sought permission from Universal music, which takes care of the copyrights for Rahman's works. Kelly Poon on the other hand had stated that if she were to take the legal route to obtain the rights for the tune, it would have been tough to release the album. She added: "As it is a popular Indian song, I am just adapting the song and introducing it in China." Kelly might have her intentions right; just that the law happens to take a different view. Kelly Poon was a Project Superstar Champion 2005, a reality competition for singers across China, which is similar to the Indian TV show, Super Singer. This number especially has catapulted her to the status of singing sensation among the Chinese. So much for what was not hers! As for Rahman, he wasn't available for any comments. Guess success comes with its share of problems.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Jodhaa Akbar, a preview

There was a buzz in the air.

And this time it was neither Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om nor Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya causing the stir.

Rather, it was Ashutosh Gowarikar's Jodhaa Akbar, which was about the epic love story between Emperor Akbar and a certain Rajput princess, that was causing a stir at the Adlabs theatre in Mumbai's Film City.

The occasion? The director was hosting the first ever preview of his huge film, starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Jodhaa Akbar is scheduled for release on January 25.

Judging from the preview, the film holds a lot of promise. The promos sees Hrithik dressed in various avatars of the Emperor with A R Rahman's song, Marhaba, playing in the background. One scene sees him taming an elephant, while another sees meeting Ash for marriage.

Ash, on the other hand, doesn't speak much and is shown dressed in fine bridal wear, getting ready for her grand wedding.


Speaking about the film, Ashutosh said he did not focus completely on history though he has taken care not to hurt the religious sentiments of people.
"It is not history, but the epic romance of Jodhaa and Akbar," Ashutosh explains. Asked if the film would be in the league of the classic, Mughal-E-Azam, Ashutosh quipped, "This love story came first in history; then Mughal-E-Azam followed." He also brushed aside the fact that Hrithik hardly looked anything like Emperor Akbar; he simply looked like Hrithik Roshan "Hrithik looked like Hrithik in Krrish. In my film, he looks like Emperor Akbar," he said.




Haider Ali (actor in the popular television serial, Nukkad) was the one who came to me with the script of Jodhaa Akbar, after Lagaan," Ashutosh continued. "I loved it and wanted to do it but didn't have the time then. So I did Swades first."
But making Jodhaa was easier said than done for Ashutosh as he had to take the requisite permissions, and also do a lot of legwork before the film shoot. "I had to do a lot of homework," he said. "I met some historians like Irfan Habib of Aligarh Muslim University and also attended seminars to know more about the subject before I decided to make the film." The film, which will portray 15 years of the life of the emperor, has five songs. The music will be released on November 27.
Courtesy: Rediff.com

Great news for Surya's fans

All of Surya's fans are waiting in bated breath for his upcoming Diwali release Vel. It's been more than a year since they have had glimpses of their favorite hero. This comes as a pleasant surprise as his fans were all disappointed with the delay of Goutham Menon's magnum Opus Vaaranam Aayiram.

But there is good news, Goutham who recently decided to shoot a quickie "Chennaiyil Oru Mazhaikaalam", during the time Surya was not available for VA, is done with its first schedule. The entire schedule was completed in Ramoji Rao film city in Hyderabad. Now with Vel being wrapped and Surya available, he has decided to switch to VA from Chennayil'. Goutham plans to work on both the projects simultaneously with Chennayil being expected to be completed sooner. Goutham's fans too are waiting to see his next release, as both have big names associated with them, Goutham-Rahman combo with Trisha in the lead on one side and the successful trio of Goutham-Surya-Harris on the other. Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman – what’s next after Azhagiya Tamil Magan

It seems like a long time since Sivaji songs were released, however, they still generate frenzy among the music lovers. Pronouncing a comeback of sorts in Tamil movies, Rahman proved why he is still sought after with those songs. The maestro is busy these days scoring tunes for the upcoming Vijay-Shriya starrer ATM. Inside sources state that Rahman’s rip-roaring music for ATM is sure to become a rage as soon as they are released.

Besides ATM, as it seems, there is an impressive line up of movies that require the genius’ rendition. Of the only other two projects Rahman seems to be working on in Tamil so far, producer Dhanu’s Sakkarakatti is progressing. Rahman seems to have been bowled over by the plot and bought additional time to spend on the score. Which means, soon enough, yet another chartbuster is on the cards. Gowtham’s mascot Harris is being replaced by Rahman for his next venture titled Chennayil Oru Mazhaikkalam. Touted to be a musical entertainer, this movie focuses on the life and times of an IT professional, which means both stylish and very contemporary.

That apart, down South, if reliable sources are to be believed, Rahman will score for the Pavan Kalyan starrer Puli directed by S.J. Surya. Puli is also associated with some of the bigwigs of the industry including Camera by renowned cinematographer Ravi K Chandran. Rahman’s major Hindi projects include the Aamir Khan – Asin starrer Gajini directed by Murugadoss. He is also associated with the epic movie Jodhaa Akbar, directed and produced by Ashutosh Gowariker that stars Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. Rahman’s music for Jodhaa has raised the bar among his fans and critics alike for the story revolves around the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and his Hindu wife Jodhabai

On the cards is also Delhi 6, directed by Rakeysh Mehra whose previous successful venture with Rahman include Rang De Basanti that was also nominated for the Oscars. Besides, Rahman is also talked to be scoring Yuvraaj produced by Anil Kapoor and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na directed by Abbas Tyrewala and produced by Aamir Khan Productions and PVR Cinema. On the whole, fans are in for a big treat the latter part of this year, Rahman style.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Inside story on the Rajini, Kamal and Mani Meet

These days, the top talk in Kollywood seems to be the meeting of the most powerful triumvirate of Tamil cinema, viz. Rajini, Kamal and Mani Ratnam. This meeting has already been rendered different shades by the media, but reliable sources have confirmed that a discussion on an upcoming project had indeed taken place.

The proposed Rajinikanth starrer is touted to be funded by Ulaga Nayagan Kamal Haasan perhaps under Raj Kamal banner which may be co-produced by his guru and mentor K Balachander. Mani Ratnam is expected to direct this venture. The eminent director seems to have accepted the conditions, on request that he should be given the liberty of going in with his style of film making. Music is slated to be handled by none other than Mani's protégé, A.R.Rahman. Kamal Haasan may have a guest role in the film.
The story has not yet been finalized but is expected to take up shape soon. There are whispers that the film may be loosely based on the life history of Rajini and Kamal just like the biographical film Iruvar directed by Mani Ratnam himself.
Whatever it is, the news of these three legends coming together has in itself increased the hormone levels among Tamil Cinema fans. And if it does happen, it will be nothing short of a gargantuan carnival.
Fingers crossed!

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

A.R.Rahman makes India proud yet again

A.R.Rahman has again made India and especially Chennai proud. CNN, in a special program, listed the world’s best music directors and amidst the big names of "Ennio Morricone" & "Hans Zimmer” Rahman managed to find a place. CNN called Rahman the “Maestro of Madras” who has sold albums more than the Beatles.

The show also discussed his popular rendition for the “Lord of the rings” stage drama. There was also mention about his first international movie, Elizabeth 2, directed by Shekar kapur. If the very fact of gaining mention in an international program is big, then being compared with the likes of Ennio Marricone and Hans Zimmer is nothing short of a Wow. Behindwoods.com salutes Rahman for taking India to the world. Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Count down for ATM begins

Azhagiya Tamil Magan is one of the most anticipated movies this year which will be a Diwali Dhamaka. Vijay fans are upbeat about this project and a thunderous opening is expected this November. Here is Behindwoods exclusive information for you. ATM is nearing completion except for a song sequence which will be shot in a magnificent set in Binny Mills.

‘Valayapatti thavil’ is the opening lines of this peppy number which features Shriya and Vijay in an exuberant mood dancing to the tunes of A R Rahman. The slim seductress will raise the blood pressures of all her fans when she will be gyrating atop a lorry. The post production will commence once this song is completed.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Will A.R. Rahman get an Oscar?

The Indian maestro A.R. Rahman has just completed a new English movie, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, directed by Shekar Kapur - an Indian as well. It is a sequel of Shekar’s very popular - Oscar winner and multiple Oscar nominee - Elizabeth. Big names like Kate Blanchett, Oscar nominee Clive Owen and Geoffrey Rush are involved in this project.

The first movie was made at a budget of $25 million and garnered more than $60 million all over the world, and also bagged an Oscar for the best make up. Apart from this, it was also nominated for the Best Actress in a Leading Role award, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration award, Best Cinematography award, Best Costume Design, including Best Picture award and not to forget the Best Music - Original Dramatic Score by David Hirschfelder. David will also work in this colossal project along with A.R. Rahman. The sequel of Elizabeth is getting much bigger with much higher budget. Also, chances are high for A.R. Rahman to be nominated for an Oscar. Shekar Kapur, one of the finest directors that India has ever produced is very optimistic about this movie. It will be released in the US this October and Indian audience can catch this movie in the theatres only by next year. Hope we get good news by January and better news by March. Behindwoods has only one thing to say to Rahman: “We will pray for you brother”. Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

A.R.Rahman given clean chit

The controversy surrounding the Jana Gana Mana album by A.R.Rahman came to an end today, with the Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Jyothimani dismissing the petition to ban the album. According to the petitioner, Mohanraj, General Secretary of Jebamani Janata Party, the music director’s intention to release the album was to cash in on the national anthem.

Moreover, he alleged that the national anthem should be sung within stipulated seconds but Rahman has sung it for over seven minutes.
The judges, while dismissing the petition on both counts, said that it is the right of the citizens to sing the national anthem and it cannot be deemed as an act of disrespect. Also they gave the verdict that there is no such rule as to the stipulated time.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

A.R. Rahman may get three years imprisonment

A.R. Rahman – the proud Indian he has always been, had released Vande Mataram on the occasion of the 50th year of independence and in the 60th year he came up with an album "Jana Gana Mana". Even though the intentions were good, he seems to have forgotten that there is a law that the national anthem should be sung in a specific way and should be finished within the stipulated seconds.

And if done otherwise it is deemed as disrespect to the national anthem and could attract a sentence of a maximum of three years imprisonment. And now many people are ready to sue Rahman for this action. "Do good, there will be none to support; do good, there will be hundreds to find fault". How true is this statement! Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman exclusive interview in Vikatan.com

Courtesy: Vikatan.com

A R RAHMAN Jana Gana Mana album 60th Independence Day

"A.R. Rahman’s gift for the 60th Independence Day By Behindwoods News Bureau. August 13, 2007 Music director A.R. Rahman has recently launched the Jana Gana Mana album to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India’s independence. Readers may be aware that the maestro, for the golden jubilee Independence Day celebrations, had released a similar album “Vande Mataram”. A.R.Rahman A.R. Rahman, while speaking at the function organised by the Times Music, which is releasing the album, said that some of the best voices in India have been roped in to sing for this album. They are, Bhimsen Jhoshi, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and the maestro himself. About 80 music instruments have been used for this song. This is probably the first time that so many instruments have been used for a single song. According to Rahman: “the music album emphasises on the economic development of our country and stresses on the need for tolerance among the citizens.”"

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman releases 'Jana Gana Mana'

CHENNAI: A decade after he sang "Vande Mataram" to reflect of the mood of the nation when it turned 50, A R Rahman released "Jana Gana Mana", his version of the
national anthem here on Saturday.

The album -- which features some of the biggest names of the Indian music industry, ranging from D K Pattammal to S P Balasubramanium and Balamuralikrishna to Lata Mangeshkar -- is another venture from the Bharatbala-Rahman duo that was behind
"Vande Mataram" in 1997.

Speaking at the packed Music World store at Spencer Plaza here, Rahman said it was of great value to score music for the national anthem.

Responding to a query, he said he could not single out any particular singer from a collection of 35 soundtracks as his favourite. "Everybody is so impressive," he said.

The man, who is now tasting success in the international arena, has not performed any solo number on the album and declined to say why this was so.

Bharatbala, the producer of "Jana Gana Mana", appreciated Rahman's support for the venture.

Courtesy: DnaIndia.com

Rahman, Gulzar release album on `Jana Gana Mana`

Mumbai, Aug 11: As India is all set to celebrate 60 years of independence, musical genius A R Rahman, film maker and lyricist Gulzar and Bharatbala released an exclusive collection of renderings of the national anthem by musical maestroes of India. The music for the album has been given by A R Rahman. In a firstof its kind creation, the legends lending their voices include Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, D K Pattamal, Lata Mangeshkar, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Bhupen Hazarika, Asha Bhonsle, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ustad Sultan Khan, Amaan And Ayaan Ali Bangash, Rahul Sharma, Vikku Vinayakram, Uma Shankar, Kadri Gopalnath, Ravikiran, E Gayathri,Pandit Kartick Kumar, Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy and many more. This collectors edition which is available in a set of a special booklet, a DVD and an audio CD is set across the vast landscape ofIndia. The set also includes the national anthem picturised on theIndian army. The album has been shot at 21,000 feet in the icy glacier of Siachin. Speaking to reporters yesterday A R Rahman said, ``the greatness of this concept is the humbleness it reflects, the legends praising their motherland in their unique way is an experience in itself andI enjoyed every moment of being associated with it.`` Speaking on the occasion Gulzar said, ``Bharatbala has a habit ofdoing beautiful and unique things and from the genius Rahman we cannext expect a fresh new version of `Sare Jahan Se Acha`.`` Bharatbala productions is a film production house led by Bharatbala and Kanika Myer who have made more than 500 television commercials for indian and international brands in the past fifteen years. Their well-known projects are `Vandemataram` which was the finalist at the prestigious Cannes and New York film festivals.Bharatbala productions have also conceptualised and filmed the`Incredible India` campaign.

Courtesy: Zeenews.com

Freedom gets a voice!

A R Rahman: A proud Indian (TOI Photo) Rahman uses 80 instruments to give Bharatbala a symphonic version of Jana Gana Mana. He’s the voice, brains, soul and the music behind some of the most memorable tunes of our time. And when A R Rahman isn’t spinning out songs that have propelled him to the rarefied ranks of the world’s top 25 selling artistes, in between flicks of the scrollwheel on his P990 smartphone (BT caught him en route to an album launch at a suburban mall), he talks about freedom. Think Jana Gana Mana , and think India in all her avatars, and that’s what inspired the Bharatbala-Rahman combine to create audio and visual renderings of the National Anthem, originally penned by Rabindranath Tagore. This album, released on Times Music, is a tribute to the feeling of pride and unity evoked by the anthem. “India’s progressing very well economically but there should be more tolerance. People need to have balance in whatever they do,” Rahman muses. True to his musical versatility, he’s also done a symphonic version of the National Anthem. “I used around 80 instruments for this one. It took a while for us to put it all together.” Four years, to be precise. And it’s not just Rahman who’s added his prodigious talents to this project. That singular emotion of patriotism has been rendered by the likes of Pt Bhimsen Joshi, Lata Mageshkar, Pt Jasraj, Asha Bhonsle, Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt Shivkumar Sharma and Jagjit Singh, to name a few. Speaking about the kind of treatment they visualised for the songs, Kanika Myer, of the production house, adds, “We wanted to re-render it keeping the original tunes in mind. We didn’t want it to sound like something you have to listen to but rather like something you’d want to listen to.” And indeed, there’s no song which thrills the heartbeat of a nation as successfully as our anthem. “It is important to give people what they love,” says the maestro. A perfectionist to the core, he adds, “I spend a lot of time on whatever I do. The older you become, the more you like melody and soothing music. There’s so much of chaos out there in the world, I feel like doing something which calms the mind.” And what does he listen to when he wants peace? “Sometimes, it’s just pure classical like Andrea Bocelli,” he says. Courtesy: TimesofIndia.com

Rahman releases new patriotic album

Music maestro A R Rahman and M C Maryko at a launch function in New Delhi.

Noted composer AR Rahman Saturday released a new album based on the national anthem here.

The album was released just ahead of India's Independence Day at the Chennai Music World store in Spencer Plaza.

The DVD album was produced by BharatBala Productions, makers of the feature film Hari Om for the BBC, and the "Incredible India" advertising campaign.

The new album has 35 soundtracks, including tracks from Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Balamuralikrishna, noted Carnatic singer D.K Pattammal and S.P. Balasubramanium.

Rahman had earlier done an album on 'Vande Mataram', another patriotic song.

Courtesy: Hindustantimes.com

A.R. Rahman promotes new album

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‘Jana Gana Mana’ is

a unique collection of national anthems by musical maestros

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— Photo: R. Ragu

One of a kind: Music director A.R. Rahman with producer Bharatbala at the launch of the album in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: There was no place to move. Hardly any to breathe. Bodies jostled against one another, racks of music trembled and security guards shouted themselves hoarse trying to bring order to the situation.

The usually well-disciplined crowd at Music World in Spencer Plaza, though, was not going to be decorous today. Not when A.R. Rahman was on the premises.

Fans, music lovers and shoppers crowded the store as the renowned music director arrived here on Saturday to promote his new album ‘Jana Gana Mana.’

Around 300 people stood on their toes, peered over shoulders and waved camera cell-phones yelling excitedly to Rahman. “This is a very rare album. I really enjoyed doing it,” the famed composer-director-singer said.

“The album is a unique collection of national anthems by musical maestros,” said Bharatbala, one of the producers. The album, by Bharatbala Productions, was launched to coincide with the country’s 60th year of independence.

It consists of 25 films of renditions of the national anthem set in various parts of India including the Siachen glacier, in the DVD version. In the audio CD version there are 35 tracks of the anthem rendered by artists including Lata Mangeshkar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Hariharan, S.P. Balasubramanium, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Amaan Ali Bangash and Uma Shankar among others. The music has been composed by A.R. Rahman.

Around 100 ‘Jana Gana Mana’ albums were sold at the store on Saturday alone.

Courtesy: Hindu.com

Will Robot have A.R.Rahman?

Shankar has always trusted Rahman in the music department and their combination has always managed to weave a magical spell on the listeners. Of course, Shankar did opt for Harris Jeyaraj for Anniyan, but yet the duo bounced back with the blockbuster Sivaji. Now Shankar is ready to take his second Hindi movie with the King Khan, tentatively titled Robot.

A.R.Rahman recently opted out of Shahrukh Khan’s production “Om Shanthi Om” due to misunderstanding. Rahman's demand for a share in the royalty for a song did not go well with Shahrukh which explained the reason for the former’s withdrawal from the project. Now that Robot is finalized and Shahrukh Khan will also be producing the film it has to be seen whether A.R.Rahman is still considered for the movie, Even though the maestro has denied any grudges against Shahrukh khan, let us wait for the news.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

A pat from Rahman

Acclaimed music composer A R Rahman has heaped laurels on young debutant director Kala Prabhu after seeing few rushes of Sakkarakatti.

The movie has songs set to tunes by Rahman and is produced by Kalapuli S Dhanu. Rahman has appreciated Kala Prabhu and said,” He reminds him of director Shankar in his early days”.

“The way in which the songs are canned by Kala Prabhu has surprised me. He has immense potential”, says Rahman.

The movie features Shanthanu, son of actor-director K Bhagyaraj is lead role. Pat from Rahman has certainly raised expectations for the movie.

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

A.R.Rahman commends G.V Prakash

G.V. Prakash’s music in Veyil, which also happens to be his maiden venture, elevated him to star status. This is evident from the fact that this talented music director’s two tracks of the same movie, Veyilodu Uravadi and Uruguthe Maruguthe, are still ruling the charts. Veyil, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in the non-competitive section, was also praised for its music.

Now his work in Kreedom is also receiving rave reviews and is acclaimed by all. This brilliant music director is the nephew of music maestro A.R.Rahman and has worked for some of the biggies like Anu Malik (Jaanemann) and Rahman (Mangal Pandey and Rang De Basanti). His Oram Po songs are quite a hit among the audience and are expected to reach a wider group once the movie is released. Prakash is all set to rule the roost with projects like Simbu’s Kalai, Prakash Raj’s Vellithirai and Dhanush’s Polladhavan in the offering. In a recent interview, G.V. Prakash’s Uncle A.R. Rahman commended his work in Veyil. A.R. Rahman said that he expects more from his nephew in future and hoped that he would be a trendsetter. Such good wishes from his uncle are sure to take Prakash to higher levels of achievement and bright future.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Gautham, Trisha and A.R.Rahman team up

Gautham, undoubtedly the most happening director in Kollywood, was rumored to be busy writing Vaaranam Aayiram script. But looks like he was simultaneously writing the script for another movie and is planning to set it rolling even before Vaaranam Aayiram's shooting commences.

This movie will be a female-oriented one and it seems Gautham has signed up Trisha for the lead role. Believed to be a musical, Gautham is planning to wrap up the shooting within three months. And the biggest of big surprises is, Gautham, instead of his favourite Harris Jeyaraj, has signed A.R.Rahman. This is sure to be interesting.

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman on Vikatan magazine cover

Are you with Rahman on his 'One Love'?

"Two more days to go and the New Seven Wonders List would be declared. The question on every Indian's lips is - Will Taj Mahal break into the Top-7?

In the meanwhile promotion of Rahman's anthem song 'One Love - Ek Mohabbat' that has been especially created for the initiative has intensified in a big way. The music video of the track is out on all leading music channels and the messaging is simply impeccable.

Rahman has not just composed the music for 'One Love - Ek Mohabbat' but even co-written the lyrics. Apparently he was quite tied up in his busy schedule but jumped on the offer to create the song and stretched himself to get it in the form as we see today.

Combining commerce with art, I Media Corp Ltd (IMCL), the company that has backed the music video, has given the momentum a good enough kick off that has ensured that the country is aware about the ongoing voting for Taj Mahal to be placed in the elite list.

Rahman did it for us. Will we do it for him by voting for Taj?"

Vote for Taj

Courtesy: Indiaglitz.com

London on The Lord of The Rings and Rahman

He is involved in the most expensive movie ever in India; he is also involved in the most expensive theater production ever in the world. More than 100 million copies of his albums have been sold around the world. He has worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber and many other big names.
A R Rahman
A British newspaper hailed him as the 'Mozart of Madras'. Those of you who are still wondering as to whom we have been describing in these few lines (you must be a very rare breed) better keep your ignorance to yourselves. We are talking about none other than Musical Wizard A.R.Rahman.

This must be the best phase of Rahman's career to date; we believe that even better days are ahead. The icing on the cake has been the London premiere of The Lord of the Rings musical. Rahman was accorded a red carpet welcome at the event. After the premiere it was the time for some of the most celebrated theater critics of the worlds to have their say. Well, you can say that the mandate was fractured with reviews ranging from highly appreciative to dismissive. But everyone was unanimous in their view that the music (composed by Rahman of course) was brilliant, blending seamlessly into the narrative without hanging loosely like a fractured appendage. Such reviews from one of the most educated and experienced audience certainly elevates Rahman to the level of one of the top musicians of the world (or was he already there much earlier).

Andrew Lloyd Webber who has earlier worked with Rahman for the Bombay Dreams musical too showered praise on the show. So Rahman is certainly on top of the world at the moment."

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

'Rahman is on a quest to get the best'

Hariharan (right) performs with A R Rahman (first left) during a concert. Composer extraordinaire A R Rahman has many fans, and one of them is fellow musician Hariharan The singer is devoted to Rahman for many reasons, chief among them being "his strength, and the way he designs sound." "He has revolutionised film music and is perpetually on a quest to get the best out of you and makes you feel at ease which is important. I have sung some of my best songs for him. I will drop everything to sing his compositions." The singer and composer -- who had just wound up an American tour that took him to more than 12 cities -- got a call from Rahman asking him to join half-a-dozen other singers in another concert tour. Hariharan did not think twice before consenting to return to America. "In my heart and career, I hold a very special corner for Rahman," he says. "He has given me some of his finest songs to sing in Tamil and Hindi." During his solo concert, one of the most appreciated Hariharan songs was from Guru. "It brought the house down every time I sang it," he says referring to Yeh Hairathe, which he sang with Alka Yagnik in the film. Hariharan says the haunting composition, lyrics and director Mani Ratnam are the three reasons why the song did so well. Hariharan says that though he made his film debut many years before Rahman came to him with Roja , it was his song in that film that gave his career a big boost. "It was like I was singing for a very vast audience for the first time," says Hariharan who sang for composer Jaidev in the 1977 film Gaman. His first song, Ajeeb saane he mujh par qarar, brought accolades and very soon his voice was heard in many offbeat films. But it was the song Thamizha thamizha from Mani Ratnam's Roja in 1992 that catapulted him to fame. Soon he reached another milestone with a song for Rahman in Mani Ratnam's Bombay. The song Uyire Uyire sung with K S Chitra became very popular in the four southern states. The Hindi version Tu Hi Re was even a bigger hit. Rahman, in turn, also has a soft corner for Hariharan and, like some of the best singers he has worked with, Rahman says Hariharan likes to push the envelope. "The more you demand from him, the more he gives. At times, Hariharan can even exhaust the most patient composer," Rahman says with a chuckle.

Rahman's laptop & compositions go missing!

Rahman is in London to attend the premier of the Lord of The Rings musical which is one of his most ambitious projects. But unfortunately his mind will certainly not be resting easy as his masterpiece unfolds before an elite audience. His mind will be fully occupied with conveyor belts, uniformed flight attendants and baggage of all sizes and colors; we sympathize with the Maestro for having to undergo such an ordeal. You might be wondering what all this is about.

Well, if you have ever experienced a Trans continental flight at the end of which you find that one of your bags is missing then you might be able to imagine what Rahman is going through. Worse still, if the bag contains not just a few shirts and your other travel necessities but the information worked out over a long period that needs to be presented to one of your very important clients the next day then you surely won't be able to sleep at night, even if you are staying at the most prestigious and luxurious hotel in one of the world's greatest cities. You might remember that we had reported about Rahman's Esquire 3 Dimensional tour of the United States where some of his best compositions were being showcased in a very unique manner on stage (we had brought out a slide show regarding it). It was in the midst of this tour that Rahman flew down to London to attend the Lord of the Rings premiere. But when he got off his flight at the London airport and collected his baggage he found out to the greatest of his horrors that one of his bags was missing. As it has been hinted earlier this was no ordinary bag. It contained a laptop which had and we hope still has all the information about the unique way in which the music has to be presented at the Esquire tour. Now we do not exactly know what type of information the laptop contains; only Rahman knows that. But going by his reaction (have you ever heard of Rahman losing his composure) the laptop certainly has some very crucial musical notes, let us assume. The airport authorities have assured Rahman that the luggage will be retrieved at the earliest. With his return to the United States scheduled later this week where he is supposed to complete the rest of the Esquire tour, time is really short for the airline crew for damage control. Otherwise Rahman can (he is unlikely to do it, going by his serene nature) easily sue the airlines for millions; his music is priceless. We hope that the laptop is recovered soon and all things go as planned. If it ends well, then all will be well. Else, this will not be the last that we hear about the airline and its crew. Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

'When Rahman calls, you go without asking questions'

AR Rahman at a New York concert

Though A R Rahman and Sukhvinder Singh have produced over a dozen melodious songs in such films as Taal [Images] and The Legend of Bhagat Singh, they have not been able to match the vibrant magic of their Chaiyya Chaiyya song in the flop film Dil Se.

They always look forward to working together, never mind how much pressure each is facing. "With Sukhvinder, I can compose a tune in less than an hour and record it even quicker," says Rahman, with a hearty chuckle. "We have a very good understanding, a rare kind of understanding."

The exuberant Chaiyya Chaiyya was the highlight of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-produced musical Bombay Dreams that ran for over a year and a half in London [Images] and for 8 months on Broadway, New York, a few years ago.

Last year, director Spike Lee used the original and remix version of the phenomenal hit at the opening and closing credits of his The Inside Man. About 30 million people saw the film worldwide.

The song has to be part of Rahman's stage repertoire. "I cannot think of a live show of mine without it," Rahman says. "Even if I don't include it in the show, I am sure the audiences will make sure that we include it."

Sukhvinder has not only sung for Rahman but also composed a few songs, especially for Deepa Mehta's Oscar-nominated Water. Mehta says she is looking forward working with Rahman after 3 films, in her next venture, the big-budgeted Exclusion featuring Amitabh Bachchan [Images] and John Abraham [Images].

"I am convinced he is the most consummate composer that I know of in the world," she says. "And though some people may think of his work as ephemeral, many of his compositions are going to be around for a very long time. His music comes from the characters and is an extension of them. I think he is the best .He is the most brilliant film composer in India today and is in such demand that he has altered his normal working day to begin at six in the evening and go through the night, so that he can compose undisturbed by producers' calls. He finds the character's sur, raag, rhythm... Reggae, folk, classical, he's got it on his finger tips. He's so cinema-literate. He can discuss Ingmar Bergman's Autumn Sonata and Subhash Ghai's [Images] Taal, all in one breath."

Though Rahman works mostly at night, he does make concessions. "When I recorded the song with Bappi Lahiri for Guru, we got it done during the day," he says. "Bappi flew in from Kolkata in the morning, and a few hours later, he was ready to fly back home."

Singer Lata Mangeshkar [Images] worked with Rahman for the first time in Mani Ratnam's Dil Se and later in Pukar, Zubeidaa and Lagaan [Images].

'Rahman is known to record only during the night time,' she said in an interview 2 years ago. 'But he records with me during the daytime... when my voice is fresh. I don't like recording at night. He made an exception for me. When an artiste shows such consideration for another artiste, it feels good. Aur kaam bhi achha hota hai [Even the work done is good]. Rahman doesn't take long over his recordings. Jiya jale in Dil Se was recorded in 40 minutes."

Versatile drummer Sivamani who performed for Rahman at the June 16 concert in New York has known the 41-year-old singer and composer for about three decades.

'Our association began when we both were really young,' he recalled in an interview not long ago. 'We had this band called Roots. We just make very good music together. He is a master of lai [melody] and taal [beat]. The recognition that I enjoy today is because of Rahman. There are so many talented people behind a film music score. I played for Illayaraja for very long, but my name never figured on the screen or the cassette cover. Rahman changed it all. He gives credit to every single member of his team for whatever part they play, big or small. That makes him really special. People came to know about me only because of him. I thank him for that."

Sadhana Sargam, one of the singers Rahman respects most and who has sung haunting tunes for him in Water and Earth, has said: 'When Rahman calls, you go without asking questions because you know it's going to be worth it. He's a reserved person and talks very little but he makes you give your best. He keeps a cassette ready, wherein he has sung the song himself and listening to it makes your work so much easier, he allows any number of retakes. If you've sung half a line beautifully and haven't sustained that in the other half, he'll retain that half and make you work on the other half. The result is magnificent. And Rahman makes his pleasure very evident when he likes something you've done... then he won't even be shy.'

Chitra, who accompanies Rahman in the current concert tour along with Hariharan [Images], Sadhana Sargam, and Sukhvinder Singh, among other singers, says that when Rahman plays a composition to her, she listens very carefully.

"I have known since I sang my first song for him in Roja [Images], over a decade ago, there are layers and layers to his tune. Even a tune that may sound very catchy at the beginning has its own complex nature. And that makes working with him even more challenging. And what I love in him most is that he is very modern, but he also deeply respects tradition."

Courtesy: Rediff.com

Shankar and Rahman Watches Sivaji in Canada

June 15, 2007

Sivaji has finally arrived in style and is certain to enthrall Rajni’s fans all over the world. When the excitement here is on the rise continuously, director Shankar has decided to take a vacation with his family in Canada. After all the man must have been too busy for the last few months to be even available for his own family.

Meanwhile Sivaji is getting released in Canada today and it has been reported that Shankar would be watching the film there along with music director A.R.Rahman who will be joining him there. After a couple of weeks of vacationing, Shankar has planned to return to India."

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com

Rahman rocks New York

A R Rahman

As he returns to the Nassau Coliseum after four years, composer and signer A R Rahman has another challenge: To show that a composer and accompanying singers can pack the 11,000 seats in the auditorium at this, his Three Dimensional Tour, just the way he did the last time he was in New York for a concert. Normally, you expect a combination of stars, say Shah Rukh Khan [Images] and Preity Zinta [Images], supported by a raft of minor stars to pack the coliseum.

"Rahman has proved time and time again that his musical events are quite unlike those featuring other composers or singers," says Bharat Jotwani, whose Poojanka Entertainment is hosting the New York show, June 16. "His music has as much appeal as that of any big Bollywood star."

The year 2007 has been one of Rahman's busiest. Apart from working on the soundtrack of The Golden Age, his first British-American assignment, he has also added new music and songs to the $20-million musical, The Lord of the Rings, which opens in London [Images] in a few weeks. And then there is the much expected Jodhaa-Akbar, the historic love story, that brings Rahman and director Ashutosh Gowarikar (Swades, Lagaan) together for the third time.

"It has been a very busy year. Yet I thought of the concert tour for many reasons," the composer says. "There have a lot of interesting films in the last three years in Hindi and Tamil; and that means I can offer old and new hits."

He also loves being with his singers off the recording studio but doesn't get many opportunities to do so in India. "It is a different feeling when you work with them for a stage show," he explains. "The challenges are different, and we come alive even more than when we are in a recording studio. The friendship also grows."

Coming with him are some of the singers such as Chitra and Hariharan, whose careers had begun a years before Rahman himself took off with the astounding success of Roja in 1992. They were part of the film's immensely popular score, along with S P Balasubramaniam. Then there many singers who either made their debut in a film with Rahman's score � such as Naresh Iyer (Rang De Basanti [Images]) -- or shot to prominence thanks to his tunes. Sukhvinder Singh (Dil Se), Madhushree (Tezaab, Guru), Sadhana Sargam (Water, Earth 1947), Blaaze (Rang De Basanti), and the multifaceted percussionist Sivamani, are among those in the latter category. There would also be several young, up-and-coming singers.

The New York event follows concerts in half-a-dozen cities, including Vancouver, San Francisco and Dallas. The one held in the tristate area will have the polished version after several tryouts in other cities. Never mind how well rehearsed the musicians, singers and dancers are, every show becomes finetuned as it goes from one city to the next.

Rahman's biggest challenge, however, is not assembling first-rate artists or having the best acoustics at each venue.
"There are fans who have long memories," he says. "And there are fans who love the recent songs. Now, I would have a good mix of the old and new. Even then it is not easy to choose one beautiful song over another."

Since his debut in Roja, the little film that became an instant hit, Rahman has scored music for over 100 films, including the Hindi-language hits Rangeela, Taal, and Meenaxi. Many are big-budget films, and some, like the M F Husain-directed Meenaxi, did not cost much.

"I take up a film even though I know its commercial prospects may not be very bright," he says. "You respect someone's arts and Husain is one of the people I have a lot of respect. I can never refuse to d film for him." He may have a song from the Hussain film at the New York event.

A few weeks ago, as he was preparing for the show in Chennai, he was certain there would be songs from his latest hits, such as Guru and last year's Rang De Basanti. He was also keen to include a number or two from his recent hits, Rajnikanth's [Images] Tamil film Sivaji. Rahman was also thinking of including a song from the Tamil hit Jillunu Oru Kadaal.

"I am keen to present at least one song from Deepa Mehta's Water," he had said. Many consider Water to be one of his best achievements. But the film, which ran into trouble from Hindu fundamentalists and had to be shot in Sri Lanka [Images] several years later in almost anonymity, had a very small run in India. Its music was not released.

"It is one of my few scores that was not well released," Rahman says. "The songs were well used in the film but they did not reach the listeners in significant numbers." The numbers were sung by Sukhvinder Singh (who also wrote couple of lyrics) and Sadhana Sargam among others.

"She is one of the few singers who has surprised me at every turn," Rahman says. "Many singers do a very good job of doing exactly what I tell them to do but she somehow goes beyond instructions. She takes a song to another level effortlessly, and she is so good at it that I am surprised every time I work with her."

To perform live with Rahman is a dream for any singer, you will hear the biggest names in Mumbai and Chennai say. Whether it is Sonu Nigam [Images] or Kailash Kher or Alka Yagnik, every one wants to be in a Rahman show. But there are other commitments, there are also problem of schedules, and some singers who dearly wanted to be in his concert this time are either travelling with other shows or are not well.

"I had already made a commitment to the Asha Bhosle show when I heard that Rahman wanted me to be part of his show," said Kailash Kher who sang several haunting Rahman songs in Mangal Pandey, including the title track. "I feel I have lost a great opportunity but I hope I don't have to wait for another four years for Rahman to offer a concert in America."

Courtesy: Rediff.com

Rahman Lights up Sivaji Fire in Chicago

For the first time in Chicago, the grand maestro and musical prodigy AR Rahman kicked off his three dimensional tour in North America to a jam packed audience over 8000 people of Indian Origin from the Midwest at the Sears Center in Chicago. The concert started at 9pm on Saturday night and ended at midnight. Towards his last song he had the entire Sears Center on its feet. The three hour concert had various numbers from both Hindi and Tamil hits of AR Rahman’s including 4 songs from his latest yet to be released Sivaji. The crowd was awe struck by the drums of Sivamani, and the rap capability of Blaaze. The music troupe included Hariharan, Sukhinder, Naresh, Vijay Jesudas, Chitra, Madhusree, Sadhana Sargam and Rahman’s sister Rehana. Rahman introduced a new key board called Continuum which is the first key board that has classical notes. He infused National Integration by starting songs in Hindu and ending the same song in Tamil that entertained the crowd. Courtesy: IndiaGlitz.com

Esquire Viva A.R. Rahman 3-Dimensional tour

A. R. Rahman has commenced his Esquire Viva’s 3-dimensional North American tour, with his A-list singers Sukhwinder Singh, Hariharan, Blaze, Naresh Iyer (Rang De Basanti fame) Chitra, Madhushree, Sadhana Sargam and many more.
Commencing June 2nd 2007 to June 24th 2007.

A.R.Rahman

JUN 8 HOUSTON
JUN 9 CHICAGO
JUN 10 TORONTO
JUN 15 DALLAS
JUN 16 NEW YORK
JUN 17 WASHINGTON
JUN 23 ATLANTA

It’s been long since A.R. Rahman gang has gone for a US and Canada tour so the expectations are gargantuan. The US is going to get a taste of some of his latest hits like Sivaji, Rang De Basanti, Guru and Sillunu Oru Kaadhal. The tour will rock the US and Canada, don’t worry Rahman, we will “Pray for you brother”."

Courtesy: Behindwoods.com