*OSCAR HERO A.R.RAHMAN'S SPECIAL INTERVIEW IN KUNGUMAM TAMIL MAGAZINE *
*" Slumdog Music was finished in two weeks" * We have the ceiling fan in the reachable distance from us. But for A.R.Rahman, Oscar is at the same reachable distance. The Oscars appears to be like a dream for World Renowned Artistes, and a unreachable one for Indian artistes. But the same may be decorating Rahman's reception by next month same time. While the Music of Slumdog Millionaire had just coveted the prestirgous Golden Globe Awards, before the excitement is over, his name has been nominated under three categories for the Oscar Awards, he has raised India amongst Other foreign nations in the World of Music. The Doors of the Godfather of music, who has been converting nights into days has been knocked by Kollywood, Bollywood and now Hollywood.. Amidst such a busy schedule, he devoted time for us, and replied to us in his usual soft style with so much of peace and with his typical smile in between. " The Golden Globe Award for Slumdog Millionaire appears to be a great matter here. But before the same international critics from New York, San Diego, London, Europe have given me 10 and more than 50 awards for the movie. But still, the Golden Globe and the Oscar Nomination are something which we didn't expect. When I was in Los Angeles, I got the news about the Oscar Nominations through my agents, and it was a big surprise. !!!. And that too, two songs from the same movie are competing with each other is something very surprising and unbelievable. I am heartened to see people having so much of love for this film. Indian music has got a lot of respects through this movie, and it's a good thing to cherish. I think that the story revolves around the Indian environment, which I feel is something to be proud of, and am proud of. * * 1. *What has been the experience composing for " Slumdog Millionaire" ? * The director who requested me to compose music Mr. Danny Boyle and myself were very busy and we couldn't meet up at all. Atlast when we met, I got a feeling that I must somehow accept this project, and I had a lot of faith in him. He is a man of good feelings and emotions and thus he became a good friend of mine. We experimented four types of music for this movie, and ended win a conclusion. Indian style of Music was needed, and at the same time it must be suiting International Standards. That was the thought and I tried composing in that manner. To tell the truth, I finished composing music for this movie in just two weeks. The time taken is very less compared to the time taken for doing Indian Films. As they had asked for the music even before the planned date, I kept aside other commitments, I gave a lot of immediate attention to this is the another reason. I did the music for this in London. I can firmly say that the music for this movie is something which I haven't done before. The reason is whenever I aspire to compose music differently for Indian movies, I would get the question if such a different type of music would be accepted here or not !?. And the same question would hinder in a different type of a new approach. But this movie was different, and I tried to do something independently. In India too, the music of this movie has been desired a lot. This would bring about a change in the future Indian movies that I am going to make, and would appear like a forerunner for the future. 1. *What are the **Hollywood** companies, which have approached you as of now ? * I am not in a state to accept anything. The Oscar Nominations have raised a lot of expectations in my music, and hence it requires a lot of care and attention. In India, the audience for Music has increased. In particular, the music taste and sense of the youth within the age group of 18 to 30 is outstanding. They also have to be satisfied. So, my present day commitment is to fulfill the work here. Shankar's " Yendhiran", Maniratnam's movie, Kadhir's " Maanavar Dhinam", Gowtham Menon's movie are the Tamil ones. In Hindi, " Blue" which is a completely underwater movie, A movie for Director Abbas Tyrewala, Rajeev Menon's Hindi movie are all lined up. Apart from these, I have my own individual albums which are waiting. All these would take 2 years to finish, and the rest are later…………………. 1. *What is the specialty in " Yendhiran" ? * I have finished three songs as of now. After I finish it fully, I would certainly tell you the specialities in the same. 1. *Has Slumdog arrived and covered the expectations about Hindi Ghajini ? * We cant tell like that. It has been accumulating more than Rs 200 crores. If we see the music aspect alone, it has only 5 songs. As the Tamil songs were a hit, the challenge would be to compete with it! 1. *How is your Music school continuing ? * Amidst busy work, it may be little slow, but it has been going on with proper care. 110 students are being developed there. A few among them are already ready to come to the Music World. But, we don't want them to come out so soon, and hence we have been developing on them slowly. It should not become like a feeling of "We also studied Music!!!!" and therefore, to make them excel in the World of Art, it is important that a formal education is imparted to them. 1. *You had said that you spent Sleepless nights before getting the Golden Globe Awards. Now, how is the situation for the Oscars ? * " Without any expectations, I want to go with an open mind". I may get, I may not get also ?? Am I right ? You will surely get it and you will bring home two Awards. -- regards, Vithur
