There was an interview with Mani Ratnam on the show 'Being:' which was telecast on CNN-IBN and CNBC TV-18 several times last week. In the interview, Mani was asked what he thought of the use of Chaiyya Chaiyya in Inside Man. Mani narrated that, when they had to shoot the introductory sequence of Madhavan in Alai Payuthey, they originally thought of having him listen to a Backstreet Boys song on the walkman and approached the band for the rights. But the band quoted such an astronomical figure that they backed off and ARR composed Endrendrum Punnagai which went on to become a massive hit. When Spike Lee approached MR for the rights of Chaiyya Chaiyya, he apparently quoted a similar astronomical figure back to them but he was pleasantly surprised at his offer being accepted!
I live in the world's largest constitutional anarchy. Its called India.
