Mom sold all of my sister's jewels: AR Rahman

Oscar winner Rahman gets witty and candid about his life at the launch of his biography.

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.

Don't you feel too young for a biography?

No. I started working from the age of 11 and that's a long time back. The book explores the spirit of music, which is my being and I love to talk about it.

Considering your hectic schedule, how long did it take to complete the book?

Guess Munni got down to writing, like she says, about four years ago. But I don't keep an account of time. But yes, I had to give her a deadline. And only deadline makes you stop procrastinating.

Any special part in the book?

Everything related to my life is special to me. But yes, the most memorable part in my life was 1989, a turning point in life. I finally got my own studio, but the only problem was that it was empty. There was no equipment in it. I would be sad and often go and sit there wondering how I would fill it up. I needed Rs. 4 lakhs which is equivalent to Rs. 4 crore today. My mother came to my rescue. She sold of all the gold jewellery that she'd kept for my sisters wedding. And with that money I bought my first Fostex 16-track mixer/recorder. Life changed for me.

You returned that money?

Of course! So much more than that...

You have also ventured into the Hollywood market. How comfortable you are there?

I am comfortable in both the environment. When I was scoring `Couples Retreat' there, it was little difficult as I was trying to coordinate from India with the production team in LA. But now I have a home there, thank God! I have met some wonderful people in the West. And I am glad that I have experienced the best of both the worlds.

How do you deal with the pressures considering your hectic schedules?

I visit a Sufi dargaah, located near Mahabalipuram which is next to the sea. I derive my sanity from there. Just stepping inside is therapeutic for me. It removes all my stress.

Anything specific you indulge in other music?

Music is the only passion I shamelessly indulge in. However, for recreation I enjoy watching movies. ' Wizard of Oz ' was the first film I ever saw, followed by the ` Bond ' movies. I also watch a lot of World cinema through DVDs mostly brought by one of my best friend who's now based in Toronto. I also like catching up with my old friends, walking all by myself and being with the family.

You are also starting a film company?

Yes. And my vision through the production house is to provide a platform for new ideas and change the perception of music implementations in films in such a way that it can bring back the old charm. Beautiful film music can be made relevant to any period. I am keen that we produce family entertainment that enriches our lives. I am also hoping that my vision will change the status of musicians in India. A musician is a professional, whether he or she is successful or not. The profession itself must be regarded as a stable job.

ARR not lucky at the Oscars 2011

Two time Oscar winning music maestro A.R. Rahman did not win the Oscar for Best Song or Best Original Score at this year's Academy Awards held in Los Angeles Sunday night, but Hollywood still got to enjoy his performance of "If I Rise" from Danny Boyle's 127 Hours.

A.R. Rahman's song "If I Rise" was up against Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow's "Coming Home" from her film Country Strong, Mandy Moore's and Zachary Levi's "I See the Light" from Tangled, and Randy Newman's "We Belong Together" from Toy Story 3 that took home the trophy. All the nominees performed their numbers live on stage at the Kodak theater.

When A.R. Rahman and Danny Boyle worked together on the Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire, they made fans the world over, so it made sense for the two creative minds to join forces once again! Boyle and Rahman were a match made in heaven when they worked on Slumdog Millionaire. The score earned music maestro A.R. Rahman numerous awards, including Oscars, Grammys and a Golden Globe.

This time the award winning team took on the critically acclaimed film 127 Hours starring Hollywood hottie James Franco, who hosted the star-studded ceremony with Anne Hathaway. For the track "If I Rise," the famous music maker teamed up with none other than British songstress Dido who wrote the lyrics. And it all worked out as A.R. Rahman was nominated for Best Song and Best Original Score.

Our sources tell us A.R. Rahman enjoyed the support of two special guests from Bollywood; Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and her hubby Abhishek Bachchan who came to Hollywood to cheer for their favorite composer. Mallika Sherawat was also spotted in the audience rooting for the Mozart of Madras. Do you think A.R. Rahman should have won an Oscar tonight?

Nomination for the Oscars is itself a big statement: ARR

Awards and nominations are nothing new for A.R. Rahman, but his Academy Award nod this time is special. It's the first time the Indian composer has been nominated for his work on an American film.

Rahman and Dido were nominated for the song, 'If I Rise' from the film '127 Hours' by director Danny Boyle. The pair last worked on the 2008 Academy Award-winning film, 'Slumdog Millionaire.'

"For me, getting nominated again is a big statement, along with Dido, and with Danny Boyle and all the stuff. But I don't know whether I'm going to win or not. But I did enjoy working on the song and the whole movie. It's a cult movie. It's going to be a moment forever. So I'm proud of that," Rahman said.

While Rahman tends to favor heavy, complex scores with electronic instrumentation, he opted for a guitar-rich sound.

"Well, the two things that motivated me to use the guitar, which is the landscape and it's also about a young person who's very adventurous, who daring and stuff. The guitar spearheads the whole score. It's got acoustic guitars and electric guitars and all kinds of stuff," Rahman said.

Dido says she was ecstatic to work with Rahman and Boyle on the project.

"It's been amazing. It's been such a joy to work with A.R. He's just an incredibly inspiring musician to work with and to be involved with something Danny Boyle's directing," Dido said.

The singer said the collaboration marked a first time for her.

"A.R. is the first person - I never sung anyone's melody other my own," she said.

Rahman says he wasn't sure what he thought about the score until the first audience saw the film.

"It was Toronto," he said. "When I heard about what happened there, it was very encouraging. It had a similar kind of conversation like 'Slumdog (Millionaire).'