*Rahman makes it to Billboard Hot 100 singles* When the Mozart of Madras, AR Rahman [Images<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=ar rahman> ], took home two Oscars [Images<http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=oscars> ] at last month's 81st Academy Awards ceremony, it put an exclamation point on an exceptionally successful Hollywood awards season for India's favourite composer.
Amid the shower of awards and accolades, a clear verdict emerged: Tinsel Town has ackowledged and accepted Rahman's prodigious musical talents. In short, they understand why Rahman's name is magical for a billion-odd Indians. But what about the common American? What does he know of Mr Rahman? Quite a bit, actually. In fact, Rahman has become the first Indian -- and by Indian, we mean born in India, raised in India and based in India -- to make it to the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Yep, that's right: The release of the Pussycat Dolls version of his Oscar-winning song *Jai Ho* has quickly moved the single from number 100 to number 15 on the charts, with no sign of slowing [sales of both the original version of the song and the PCD's version are being combined by Billboard]. Of course, his current status as 'The Next Big Thing in Music' has made Rahman one of Hollywood's most wanted men. He and *Slumdog Millionaire [ Images <http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=slumdog millionaire> ]* director Danny Bolye are reportedly being flooded with offers to collaborate again on celluloid. And of all such rumours, there's none more juicy than this: Speculation in some insider circles has it that Boyle was recently asked to direct the 23rd James Bond [Images <http://search.rediff.com/imgsrch/default.php?MT=james bond>] film. And, given the tremendous success of *Slumdog*'s soundtrack, it only makes sense to see Rahman and Boyle as part of the same package. Wouldn't that be something? Jai ho! http://inhome.rediff.com/movies/2009/mar/09rahman-makes-it-to-billboard-hot-100-singles.htm -- regards, Vithur
