" Sultan is definitely not the usual, you should wait and see"

A few days back we got to know that Rajnikant was upset with Music composer AR Rehman over the delay he's causing in Rajni's daughter's directorial debut, we caught up with Rehman in an exclusive chat to get his side of the story.A R Rahman seldom makes news for wrong reasons but this time he did just that as he reportedly upset South superstar Rajnikanth by not completing the songs of his daughter Soundarya's film Sultan-the warrior on time. "The reality is, she is very busy, she was shooting in Bangkok for a couple of months, and when I was in london, she was in Chenai, but I think we have finishe all the songs, except for a few," Rahman said.And getting back tro what he does best mozart of Madras� is pretty busy himself with nine Bollywood releases this year apart from Kamal Hassan's Marma Yogi and Shankar's Robot looks like a packed schedule can only bring the best out of him, "It's been a very good year so far--Jodha Akbar, Jane Tu...and Yuraj coming now."Considering Rahman's track record certainly Rajnikanth and his daughter Saundarya can trade a little bit of time for some great work, "Its a definitely not the usual, you should wait and see..." said Rahman.(By Sriparna Mitra)

Rahman in the news again: Bollysite

Another news -

ARR is not giving music for Ashutosh's next movie - "Whats your Rashee" starring Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja due to time commitment. Ashutosh wanted Rahman to work for him at any cost but Rahman couldnt say yes because of lack of time and said he wont be able to deliever his best in short span of time. Meanwhile, ARR has been replaced by Shankar Ehsaan Loy.

Rahman's old interview (About Kisna) - also tells about his experience with Ghai

Rahman: I could not say no to Ghai

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Working with Subhash Ghai [Images] is always challenging, says Alla Rakha Rahman with a chuckle but could things be more assured?" he wonders.
Rahman has two songs, the theme score and several musical interludes in the new Ghai film, Kisna, leaving half a dozen numbers, including the title song, to composer Ismail Darbar (Devdas).
"From the time I began working with Ghai five years ago, there have always been surprises and changes," Rahman says, explaining he was not really expected to compose for Kisna. "Many years ago we began working on a film called Shikast. But he shelved it and we began afresh with Taal [Images]," Rahman continues. "Then I was to work on Yaadein [Images] but I could not find time for it because I was busy with Bombay Dreams (the stage musical)."
There were a few stories following the release of Taal, suggesting a clash between Ghai and Rahman, and that they would never work together.

But there was Ghai at the London [Images] premiere of Bombay Dreams about three years ago, sharing his pride with some Indian producers and reporters that some of the songs from Taal had been reworked for the Andrew Lloyd Webber produced musical.
Once Bombay Dreams opened in London, Rahman and Ghai began working on a film called Motherland. "I had composed five numbers for that film after many musical sittings with Ghai," Rahman reveals, "but that got shelved too."
Just as Rahman was getting busy with a new London musical, The Lord Of The Rings, and revising the music of the Broadway-bound Bombay Dreams, Ghai announced a project called Kisna. And, he wanted Rahman to compose the music for it.
"I had no time for the new project," Rahman says. "I don't like to do things halfway or half-heartedly. I needed to have long discussions with Ghai before I could compose the music. I want to sit with my directors before composing a tune and discuss the scene with them in depth."
When Ghai saw the time crunch Rahman was facing, he asked Rahman to compose the theme music at least.
"When he heard the theme music, he said he loved it and wanted me to have a vocal recorded," Rahman laughs. "I could not say no."
Since Rahman already had the tune, it took him to less than three hours to record the song in the voices of Udit Narayan and Madhusree. "I enjoy composing songs that are soft," Rahman says. "And this is one of those songs I love for that reason. Often producers put pressure on me to compose fast music whether the situation in the film demands or not. But with Ghai and a few other directors like him, I can compose the music I love."
Soon, Ghai was asking Rahman to compose melodies for the background score, and then he requested an English song.
"I am glad I somehow made time to compose the songs, especially the Pal number," Rahman says, adding that it has caught on fast, vindicating his faith in Madhusree.
"I am glad she is getting due recognition," he continues. "There are times things take their own time to click. There are many singers who got their break with me but for some reasons, the songs did not become popular and they had to wait for another break," he adds. "This has been the case with Madhusree, too."
Rahman recalled how Sukhwindra Singh sang his first song for him in a Tamil film. "People do not know it was a Tamil song that started Sukhwindra's career," he says. "Chaiyya Chaiyya was the next song we recorded."
Similarly, Sadhana Sargam has been singing for him in many films like Earth. "But she did not have a big hit till Saathiya [Images] became a hit," Rahman says. "She had a number of hits in Tamil films but in Hindi films, she had to wait for a long time."
She sang a haunting lullaby, Aahista, Aahista with Udit Narayan in Swades [Images] but the song was deleted from the film. Rahman concedes it wasn't easy for him to part with the number. "But then, the reality was different," he says. "The film was already long and the song was slowing down the film. We did not want people to walk out during the song. It would have been worse than cutting the song out. But the song will be there in video cassettes."
Like many of the new singers he had worked with, Madhusree came to him through his friend Brij Bhushan in Mumbai. "He sends me the tapes of promising singers from time to time," Rahman reveals, adding that he came to know singers like Mahalakshmi through Brij Bhushan. "And among those tapes, there was this mellow voice, and the singer was Sujata Bhattacharya," he adds. "I used her voice in Tehzeeb , but the music went largely unnoticed." She sang three numbers including Mujhpe Toofan Uthaye for the film.
Then the singer wanted to change her professional name. "I thought it was a good decision too," Rahman laughs again. "There are many Sujata's around�So I suggested her new name."
Madhusree also sang a lilting number Pal Pal Hai Bhari in Swades. "But quite a bit of my music in that film has not been appreciated," Rahman sighs. "With the more discriminating audiences the songs have clicked but with the listeners at large only a couple of songs such as Yunhi Chala Chal and Yeh Tara Woh Tara have become popular. So I am very happy with the success of the Kisna song that Madhusree has sung."
The number My Wish Comes True in Kisna is sung by another relatively new singer, Sunitha Sarathy. Rahman thinks she too has a bright future. "She had sung a few film songs," he says. "But she got more involved doing the jingles. When she showed interest in singing film songs, I decided to sign her on."
Contrary to some reports, Rahman says Ismail Darbar and he did not collaborate on the music in Kisna.
"We worked independently," he chuckles. "If for nothing else, for want of time, we had to work separately. But as part of the background score, I had to use snatches of the title song that he had composed."
He is quick to admire Darbar's score, saying that he is pleased to share the credits on the film with the Mumbai composer. "He has composed very many good songs," Rahman continues. "But here, his music is the strongest of his career. Here is the music any composer has to feel proud of."

Bollywood song and dance, Boyle style

Toronto, Sept 8 (PTI) Bollywood could not have got a more effective promotional 'video' without having to ask for it.
Slumdog Millionaire, a film produced by Hollywood's Fox Searchlight and directed and written by a famed British duo, has delivered a glorious punch on behalf of the often-maligned Bollywood song-and-dance set piece.

Director Danny Boyle's film unspools a Bollywood number on the end credits which turns out to be the film's selling point. With Gulzar's lyrics and Sukhwinder Singh's vocals, the robust AR Rahman-composed song, Jai Ho, has the young protagonists, British-Indian actor Dev Patel and first-timer Freida Pinto, a chorus of dancers in tow, pulling off a rousing musical performance on a railway platform and atop a train.

More than half the audience at the film's first press and industry screening at the ongoing 33rd Toronto International Film Festival sat transfixed long after the credits had begun to roll, which is usually a signal for people to jump to their feet and head out of the hall.

Slumdog Millionaire, scripted by Simon Beaufoy of The Full Monty fame, is the story of a poor, uneducated boy who hits the jackpot on a game show, mixes elements of British realism and the conventions of a Bollywood love story.

Director of the Palm Springs International Film festival, Darryl McDonald, summed it up best: "Isn't the Bollywood number absolutely outstanding?" PTI

How do you go about choosing the music? I think in all of your films I've loved your musical choices and I think it really defines a lot of your films.

Boyle: Oh, I just love music. It's the bit I probably enjoy more than anything. When you get a chance to work with a guy like this guy– he's an amazing composer, A. R. Rahman. It was obvious on this that you wanted– the music in Bollywood films is so expressive, it's so much more extreme and upfront than– we tend to hide music, to make it psychological, hidden, Western really, where there they declare it. It's like yeah this is romantic, oh this is dangerous. And anyway so I approached this guy Rahman, and he's an amazing songwriter, very hugely popular there, a huge, massive star, unbelievable star there. And obviously he loved it because it was something different for him to work with a Western director, and we had a great time working on it. And they're all original songs that he's written, apart from– there's an M.I.A. song in the middle of it, "Paper Planes." And she also is a big fan if his because she grew up with all his music because she's– her family is part Sri Lankan, part London. So she was like speechless at the chance to sing for him. So she sings on the first song for him, and then we used her song in the middle. So it's really nice.

I'm very proud of the soundtrack, because it's very unusual. It feels very fresh. That was one of the things I noticed here, watching it in front of a Western audience– because I haven't really seen it in front of an audience– the music felt really fresh. And I loved that, I thought it was really nice. It's been lovely.

Telluride Interview: Slumdog Millionaire Director Danny Boyle

^^ 2 posts regarding "slumdog millionaire" releasing on Nov 29th in theatres.

chkout ARR's upcomin..... Nairsan :: A Japanese Indian Freedom Fighter A story about Japanese Indian Freedom Fighter

^ damn! another international project

Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan has been working with A.R. Rahman

There is something about Pakistani music that has attracted music lovers all over India, and most of them have been able to get a big fan following. Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan, is not an unknown name in India.

The Pakistani singer rose to fame in Bollywood with the song Mitwa from the film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. He was also the voice behind the highly acclaimed song Yeh Honsla from Dor. He has been working with A.R. Rahman on Rahman's soon to be released album. Besides that, he has also sung for many Indian films. Khan is highly respected in music circles both at home in Pakistan and abroad. Last year he was awarded the President's Pride of Performance award — the highest civilian honour — by the Pakistani government.

The artiste however, feels that it is too early a stage for him to be recognised. "I have a long way to go. There is still a lot to learn and do," he says from Islamabad. He finds it difficult to comment on whether he deserved the award or not.

Currently singing solo, the singer was part of the Pakistani band Fuzon, which was formed in 2001. ..... continued

Source

thanks for the info

Coming Soon -

A.R. Rahman's First Independent Album in 11 Years (i.e. After Vande Mataram -1997)

Source - A. R. RAHMAN OFFICIAL WEBSITE

More info about Yuvvraaj (2008) -

- 6 songs + 4 instrumental = 10 tracks
- ARR + Ghai Jodi after Taal and Kisna
- ARR + Gulzar combo after Guru (2006)
- One song by Sonu Niigaam.
- One song picturized in Khandala, featuring Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif.
- One song by Madhushree. "The most complicated song I have ever sung, is the song that we recently recorded for the Subhash Ghai movie. Rahman ji has used some 3-4 raagas and it is so amazing!!" - Madhushree
- Roop Kumar Rathod has sung one song in this film.
- "The music of Yuvvraaj has an international feel. It blends both Western music with Indian classical music and folk music. It has some peppy numbers and some excellent melodies. It has a larger than life feel to it. Rahman has done his best." - Subhash Ghai.
- "Yuvvraj belongs to two people, Rahman and Subhash Ghai, in that order. All the main characters are musicians in Yuvvraj." - Subhash Ghai.
- According to Subhash Ghai, the film is about the arrogance and overconfidence of contemporary youth. "Everyone wants to be a rock star, regardless of whether they have the morals to go with the appellation", says Ghai. 'Main Yuvvraj' means 'I am the prince' and it hasn't been revealed yet who the prince is - Salman, Anil, or Zayed.
- Katrina Kaif plays an NRI musician in the film.
- Zayed Khan plays the youngest and most spoilt of all brothers. "Working with a living legend like Subhash Ghai in Yuvvraj is such a privilege. It's tearjerker with drama about relationships. It's the quintessential Bollywood film." - Zayed Khan

Theatratical Trailer / Promos expected to be out this weekend.

Music Release Date - Somewhere between Oct 1 - 10
n.

Two songs completed for Marmayogi

KAMAL Haasan's Marmayogi, which was scheduled for an early September launch has been postponed by a month. The movie will be launched in Mumbai on October 18 but the shooting will begin on September 25 itself. Kamal is both scripting and directing the movie in which he plays the protagonist, while Trisha plays the female lead. The movie is said to have two other heroines, with Shriya playing the second heroine. The look out for the third heroine is on, and it is said that Padmapriya is being considered for the role. Hemamalini, who plays a negative role in the movie, has also been finalised and it is now confirmed that talks are on with Amitabh Bachchan for him to feature in an important role in the movie. The shooting will began at Sedhusamudhram Falls. Marmayogi is said to be shot in the backdrop of the sev- enth century. Apparently the different heroines of the film will appear at different points in the movie. Music for Marmayogi is by AR Rahman and two songs have already been completed. The movie is said to be shot on the trot, with bulk dates being given by both heroines. Shriya, who has just returned from Bangkok after shooting for Jaggubhai, and Trisha, who is working on Sarvam, will also be part of the photo shoot of the movie which is currently being held in the city. Marmayogi is produced jointly by Raajkamal Films and Pyramid Saimira.

Thanks for the Info...

wow! thanks for the updates guys!

WTF! i-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T album coming out by A R Rahman after 11years? OMG!! What is it? freaking can't wait for it.

Awesome news Wall!

Yuvvraaj Audio on 10th October

Here's the latest about the next project from Subhash Ghai, YUVVRAAJ, which also marks the entry of Salman Khan into the Mukta Arts banner. The coming Sunday will see the first teaser of YUVVRAAJ being aired on television. It will also carry a musical note from A.R. Rahman.

Starring Anil Kapoor, Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan, the grand music which sees the combination of Gulzar, Rahman and Ghai, is all set for a high profile release on October 10.

While on YUVVRAAJ's release plans, there is a buzz in the trade circles that since Subhash Ghai has completed the shooting of the film earlier than expected, it would not be surprising if he decides to prepone the film from its present release date of November 21.


YUVVRAAJ may prepone, audio on October 10

(Personally, I dont think it will be pre-poned as 21st Nov is Anniversary Day of Mukta Arts)

Salman overwhelmed with 'Yuvvraaj' throws a wrap up party!
17 September 2008

Last Sunday, Salman Khan finished his last day of shooting and dubbing for Subhash Ghai's 'Yuvvraaj'. Salman was so overwhelmed with the way the film has shaped up that he invited the entire cast and crew at his house for a wrap up party at his Bandra residence. Like all his parties in the past, this one was also very lavished
and Salman played a great host making the entire cast and crew feel at home. Salman could not stop praising all the artiste and technicians who had worked on the film making it a great musical spectacular. Mr Ghai also praised Salman saying that "he will surprise everyone in Yuvvraaj and both he and Katrina are magic on
screen."
Yuvvraaj is showman's most ambitious and expensive film till date with music by A. R. Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar.

Mukta Arts