The interview which appears below, was originally published on Deccan Herald in February 2009. ©The rights to this material are reserved to the owner. If you have any concerns or comments, please send an email to info@rahmaniac.com.
“The movie was a definite winner. I am especially proud of A.R. Rahman winning the Oscar in both the categories he was nominated for. It is proud moment for India,” said Raghav Kadaba, a techie from Bangalore.
Celebrating the movie that captures the city of Mumbai and its people’s street sense, Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire grabbed eight Oscars at the Academy Awards. Bangaloreans gave an overwhelming thumbs up for this riveting success.
It was a mood of jubilation in the early hours of Monday morning when A.R. Rahman won the Oscars for the best original score and best song, ‘Jai Ho’. Rahman’s award was the much awaited moment at the Oscars which derived a mixed reaction from the people of India.
“It was an award that should have been given for his earlier contributions but the song ‘Jai Ho’ must have captured the western imagination,” said Ankit, an MBA student. Even for the movie on the whole, there were sections which felt that India was not portrayed in the right light.
“I personally believe that the movie was quite negative in portraying India by showing only the darker side of slums in Mumbai,” said Neha, a college student.
Reacting to the movie grabbing the Oscar for the best movie and best director, Kishan Vasista, an Equity Manager from the city was impressed with the direction and production of the movie. “The movie deserved the Oscar for its brilliant direction by Boyle and its interesting plot,” he said.
Navneet, another movie buff was equally impressed with the actors in the movie and especially the child artistes who were the main stay of the entire plot. “The character portrayal by actors was what made the movie such a hit. It was really glorious moment for the movie to have won the Oscars,” he said.
Sneha, a second year BBM student was ecstatic about the movie winning the Oscars. “It was a very good movie and it deserved to win the awards. Rahman’s music was excellent in the movie,” she said.
Rahman’s Stint in Sandalwood
Bangalore, DHNS: Kannada film fraternity is thrilled with A.R. Rahman creating history by winning two Oscars. Rahman has his own contribution to Sandalwood. As a new entrant to the industry, he worked for 10-12 films in Kannada as a keyboard player.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has also invited Rahman for its platinum jubilee celebrations scheduled between March 1 and 3. KFCC President Jayamala said all those who worked for Kannada industry sometime in the past have been invited for the celebrations. “If Rahman accepts our invitation we will be very glad. We will take out his procession on a palanquin in Bangalore,” she said. However, she said, so far there has been no confirmation on his participation in the celebrations.
Rahman worked for Kannada movies between 1984 and 1988. He started his career in Kannada with music director Vijayananda by playing keyboard for “Indina Ramayana,” produced by Dwarakish. “He was very hard working. I still remember him driving on his own all the way from Madras (now Chennai) to Bangalore to attend to his work in Sanket studio. Soon after completing his work he used to travel back the same evening,” recalls Dwarakish.
Dwarakish said, “He is really a genius in music. I wanted him to score music for one of my movies. But after producing Africadalli Sheela, I suffered financial losses and could not venture to take up movie projects for some time. I missed a chance to give a break for such a bright boy,” he said. Rahman worked for Dance Raja Dance, Nee Thanda Kanike, Ravana Rajya, Krishna Nee Kunidaga – all produced by Dwarakish. Later he worked with Hamsalekha, noted music director of Kannada for two years.
