Director Mani Ratnam is like my brother:A.R Rahman

It started little late but the launch of AR Rahman’s book in a Juhu hotel was worth the wait. Rahman’s mother Kareema, wife Saira, sister Raihanah and bro-in-law flew down for the occasion - release of a biography by Nasreen Munni Kabir and published by Om Publishing House.

Others who came to wish the two time Oscar winner were Rahman’s mentor Mani Ratnam, showman Subhash Ghai, Ram Gopal Varma, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Imtiaz Ali, Govind Nihalani, Shyam Benegal, Javed Akhtar and Shivamani to name a few.

Mani Ratnam opened the lovely evening recalling his association with a `shy young’ child called Rahman who invited him to his so-called studio - a small shed with a swing outside it.

"The music he made me hear that day is as good as his music is today.

I am his big fan, but I am a greater admirer of him as a humble human being", declared Mani Sir. We briefly chatted up with Rahman post the event. In place of the shy and reserved music maestro is a suave and confident person who’s beaming with positivity.

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AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe

Oscar winning Indian musician AR Rahman is in the race to win his second Golden Globe after being nominated in the Best Original Score category for his music in the Danny Boyle directed film ‘127 Hours’ today.
The 44-year-old singer-composer had won his first Golden Globe in 2009 in the same category for ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, the Mumbai based potboiler which was again directed by British filmmaker Boyle.
Rahman’s music in the film, starring James Franco as real-life mountain climber Aron Ralston, who cut off his arm to escape from beneath a boulder after being trapped for more than five days, had received good reviews for it’s “haunting tracks” and “wonderful crescendos.” The soundtrack includes ‘If I Rise’, a collaboration between Rahman and American popstar Dido.
The nominations to the coveted award were announced here today and Rahman’s competition includes Alexandre Desplat who was nominated for ‘The King’s Speech’, Danny Elfman who was nominated for ‘Alice in Wonderland’, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross who were jointly nominated for ‘The Social Network’ and Hans Zimmer who won a nod for his score in ‘Inception’.
The musician, known as the ‘Mozart of Madras’ had won two Oscars for his score in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ at the 2009 Oscars, taking the film’s total haul to eight.

His song ‘Na Na’ from his Hollywood debut venture ‘Couple’s Retreat’, was longlisted in the ‘Best Original Song’ category at the 2010 Oscars but failed to win a nomination.

Rahman, who was honoured with a Padma Bhushan this year, had enjoyed a golden run at the 52nd Grammy Awards, where he had again bagged two gramophones for his music in the ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

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AR Rahman rocked in South Africa

AR Rahman rocked South Africa with his mesmerising tunes on November 20 at the Sun City Superbowl.

The music maestro’s performance was part of the 150th anniversary celebration of Indian presence in the country. Rahman was performing in SA for the first time and he was given a great welcome by the people.

It is also reported that Rahman would be performing at the 17th Annual Nobel Peace Prize Concert on December 11 in Oslo, Norway. This would be another feather in the cap of the musical genius. He would be joined on the stage by tgreat musicians such as Barry Manilow, Jamiroquai, India.Arie, Florence + The Machine, Herbie Hancock, Robyn, Elvis Costello and Colbie Caillat.

Rahman had won Oscars and Grammy for his score in Danny Boyle’s ’Slumdog Millionaire’. Now, his score for Boyle’s ’127 Hours’ is the talk of the music world.

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