Monday, March 23, 2009

Slumdog boosts sale of Rahmans Cds

Slumdog Millionaire has had its moment of glory with it's eight Oscar sweeps. Everybody now wants a piece of the film, so it comes as no surprise that there has been an increased interest in the book from which the film's screenplay's been adapted - Q&A written by author and diplomat Vikas Swarup.

"Who could've imagined this book I wrote in my posting in London in 2003 would go on to become such a big international phenomenon," said Swarup.

Sales of the book have increased since the movie started creating a buzz last September. Oxford Bookstore and Crossword India confirmed to CNN-IBN.

And this sudden interest is not just limited to the book, the film's Oscar winning soundtrack by A R Rahman too has a whole new league of takers .
The book was re-released as Slumdog Millionaire just when the Oscar nominations were announced in January, hooking even more readers.

It's the inquisitiveness that has helped drive the sales of the British production Slumdog Millionaire. It's a film which India will be proud of for a long, long time.The Oscar nominations were announced on January 22 and since then nearly 2,400 audio CDs were sold all over India. And with the film being made tax free in states like Haryana, this Slumdog is all set to be a millionaire.

About Rahman, Resul Pookutty ( Oscar award Winner )

Rahman, Resul Jai Ho', 'Jai Ho Rehman, Resul', 'Resul, Rehman, Jai Ho', 'Jai Ho Resul, Rehman'... that's how the Slumdog Millionaire excitement looked in the headlines of dailies on Tuesday morning.
When Resul Pookutty became the fifth Indian and the first Malayali to win an Oscar, Vilakkupara, a village off Kollam, joined predictable datelines of Los Angeles, Mumbai and Chennai. Pookutty's family celebrated the moment at their ancestral house.
Rehman, too, was a homegrown boy. His father RK Sekhar had composed a number of songs for Malayalam movies, where he worked with legends like G Devarajan.
Though Gulzar, who wrote the academy award-winning song Jai Ho, gave all credit to Rehman, dailies gave him due acknowledgement. Manorama and Mathrubhumi had Gulzar on the front page.

"The unexpected words form Resul Pookutty eclipsed all announcements at the 81st Oscar. None of those who represented India at Oscar or other international fora has made such a declaration. Pookutty, who dedicated the award to the country, said he comes from a land which contributed a great sound to the world. When he said Om was that sound, the Keralite was referring to the secular Indian heritage."

A R Rahman arrives Chennai with Oscar Awards Welcome Reception Images




















Kylie Minogue Embrassed Working With A.R Rahman

Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue says she was thrilled to work with Oscar winning music director AR Rahman in Bollywood film Blue. The 40-year-old singer plays herself in the film, and also performs a set-piece song-and-dance routine in the underwater thriller starring Akshay Kumar , Sanjay Dutt and Katrina Kaif.
"It was an incredible experience (to work with AR Rahman),” the Sydney Morning Herald quoted her as saying. "I met AR Rahman at the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) awards (in London last month). I couldn't believe I was doing a song with him in Bollywood so soon after," she added.

Rahman Continues Alliance With Airtel Company

A.R.Rahman became Airtel’s brand ambassador in 2002. The brand campaign for Airtel in 2002 featuring AR Rahman was the first time he had appeared in a television commercial. When Rahman composed the tune, Airtel has two million customers. Today Airtel has over 90 million customers and the Airtel signature tune composed by A R Rahman is world’s most downloaded piece of mobile music in the world with over 60 million downloads.
Incidentally, this tune has made its appearance in several forms including car reverse music. A R Rahman also composed an exclusive soundtrack to commemorate the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon in 2008.

A.R Rahman Turns into Dr. A.R Rahman

Mumbai, Mar 04: More accolades are coming across music maestro AR Rahman’s way! Small wonder, as the magic musician has made the nation proud by bagging two Oscars for his melodious creations in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

The reticent, media shy, affable, and down-to-earth composer will be awarded an honorary doctorate by the prestigious Anna University, Chennai, in recognition of his exemplary achievements.

Apart from the composer, space scientist Mayilsamy Annadurai and Local Administration Minister M K Stalin will also be awarded the doctorates at the convocation. The special convocation is to be held towards March-end.

On return from the Oscars, Rahman had said, “It’s a starting point for a lot in my career.” We agree, and we hope that God keeps our favourite ‘Allah Rakha’ in his grace!

Aiswarya Rai : I am a Fan Of The great A.R Rahman

Bollywood actor and former beauty queen Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said that she has always been a fan of double-Oscar winner AR Rahman, and feels fortunate that maximum of her films featured maestro’s music.

“Working with Rahman has been an absolute pleasure. It's not just from Taal to Guru, but it''s from Iruvar till Ravana.

In fact, maximum of my films have enjoyed the music of Rahman and as a music lover and fan, I have always admired his music and he is a gifted musician,” Rai said, while addressing a press conference in Kolkata.

The Bollywood actress, who was in Kolkata for the shooting of her upcoming flick Ravana, said she was elated at Rahman’s double win at the Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire.

Rai added, though Rahman was very much celebrated in India but winning Oscar meant the global recognition, which was special.

Talking about Hollywood flick The Pink Panther 2, Rai said the experience of working with actor Steve Martin has been enriching.

“Working with Steve Martin was a good experience since he is the institution of comedy. We grew up watching his movies. So when it came to working with him and since he had already worked in Pink Panther before, so you know the kind of film you are going to be a part of. I am very happy that I got a chance to work with all these great actors because I feel experience is the greatest teacher of all,” the Bollywood star said.

Comparing her character in Ravana with the one in hardcore Hollywood flick, Pink Panther, the former Miss World said her characters in both the films were quite challenging.

“These are very different. One is Mani Ratnam and the other Pink Panther. So you can assume what the audience can expect. Those who watch English movie know about Pink Panther. Mani Ratnam is the kind of filmmaker we know he is, so he will present that kind of cinema only,” Rai opined.