Music director A.R.Rahman's 'super songs' for Dhanush

A R Rahman has come out with some stunning songs for 'Mariyaan', and the film's protagonist, the National Award winning Dhanush, is all smiles about it.

"Mariyaan final schedule will resume from October. Rahman sir has given us brilliant songs and I am in love with them," Dhanush wrote on his microblogging page.

Directed by Bharat Bala, who had worked with Rahman for the popular 'Vandemataram' album in 1997, 'Mariyaan' has 'Poo' fame Parvathy Menon as the heroine.

Besides Dhanush, the film has one more National Award winning actor in its cast, and he is Appukutty of 'Azhagarsamiyin Kudhirai' fame. Apart from 'Mariyaan', Dhanush is shooting for his Hindi film 'Raanjhana'.

Music Director A R Rahman, Shahrukh's film named - Jab Tak Hai Jaan!

Shahrukh Khan's film with Yash Chopra, Katrina Kaif and Anushka Sharma is waited with bated breath not just in the north but all over the country, thanks to the coming together of Yash Chopra and SRK after years and Yash Chopra making his comeback as a director after eight long years.

Interestingly AR Rahman is teaming up with the B-town's ace filmmaker for the first time, by scoring the music of the film.

Although this film is slated for a Diwali release it wasn't named and a guessing name was on with regards to the title but all that can be put to rest now, as the film has finally been christened as 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'! (Meaning till when there's life in me).

It was rumored that it will be announced on September 27 but the makers have announced it today. The film sees Shahrukh as an army officer in parts of the film and as a love guru in few parts; it's touted to be a love triangle.

How do you like the First Look posters?

'Vizhithidu Nenje...' says Rahman for Dhanush

That A R Rahman is scoring music for a Dhanush starrer ('Mariyaan') for the first time is known to many. The unknown thing is that the Oscar winner, besides composing the tunes, has also lent his voice.

"Rahman has crooned the number 'Vizhithidu Nenje...' and it has come very good. The maestro's voice has done the much needed magic to the song," say sources in the know.

They add: "The number was recently shot on the lead pair- Dhanush and Parvathy- and the visuals were extraordinary. Rahman's composition and the way the song has been canned will make it stand out from the list."

Produced by Aascar Ravichandran, 'Mariyaan' is directed by Bharat Bala, who shares a close rapport with Rahman. In fact, it was this duo (Rahman and Bharat Bala) who gave us 'Vandemataram' in 1997.

Music Director GV Prakash & Daler Mehendi team up

GV Prakash and Daler Mehendi who came up with 'Om Zaarare...' in Kuselan, have teamed up yet again after four years, this time for a Hindi number.

GV Prakash who is composing music for Bollywood biggie 'Joker' starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha has teamed with Daler Mehendi for a peppy number that goes 'Sing Raja...'. The song has already topped the charts!

GV Prakash currently has a number of biggies in his hand including 'Thaandavam' with AL Vijay - Vikram and 'Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum'. He recently composed the background score of 'Gangs of Wasseypur'.

Hans thanks ARR for his contribution to 'The Dark Knight Rises'

The Dark Knight Rises' graces screens come Friday and boy oh boy, are audiences excited about it! One of the most celebrated Hollywood series; this is the third outing in Nolan's Batman trilogy.

The film's music composer Hans Zimmer has thanked AR Rahman along with a host of others for contributing to the film's music. ARR has contributed to the music of this film although it's not very clear of what he composed or worked on. Remember, ARR and Hans earlier worked together in Oscar Sangamam.

The Dark Knight Rises takes place 8 years after the events of the second part, The Dark Knight, and introduces to the audience the characters of Selina Kyle and Bane played by Anne Hathaway and Tom Hardy.

Music Director AR Rahman’s AM Studio introduces 7.1 technology to Kollywood

A new technology has been adopted by AR Rahman’s AM Studio to the south Indian film industry.

The AM Studio has come out with the concept of 7.1 surround sound track for South Indian movies. The 7.1 sound track will have 8 channels of audio output with left, centre, right, left side surround, right side surround, left rear surround, right rear surround and a low frequency enhancer. This technology familiar in Hollywood has a few movies in Bollywood Dum Maaro Dum, Rockstar released in 7.1 sound track.

Now, Rahman’s AM Studio has introduced this 7.1 technology to the south Indian film industry. Director Ameer’s Aadhi Baghawan with Jayam Ravi in the lead will be the first Tamil feature film to be mixed in 7.1 surround sound track. With the modern digital sound systems installed in most of the theatres in Tamil Nadu, the 7.1 technology can be easily adapted to the existing system for a better output.

Music Director Ilaiyaraaja’s song at the Olympics?

The hottest buzz in filmdom is that one of maestro Ilaiyaraaja’s songs features in the song list for the opening ceremony of the upcoming Olympics Games to be held in London. The song, Naandhaan Ungappanda… from the 1981 film Ram Lakshman, starring Kamal Haasan and Sripriya, features among the list of 86 songs (which includes tracks from the likes of Adele, Sex Pistols, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson) that was apparently leaked to the British media.
The list also includes Paper Planes, the song by British singer of Tamil origin M.I.A. (which was also featured in the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire). Given that Danny Boyle, the director of the Oscar-winning film is also the artistic director of the London Olympics, there is a strong suspicion that the leaked list is in fact the official playlist.
The maestro’s spokespersons, however, said they had not been intimidated about any such developments.

Music director Deva Bereaved

Music director and the President of the Tamil Nadu Iyal, Isai Nadaga Mandram, Deva’s mother Krishnaveni passed away yesterday, June 4th, 2012. She was 81 and was survived by five sons, Deva, Sampath, Sabesh, Murali and Siva and a daughter Selvi. Her cremation will take place today at the cremation grounds located behind the AVM Studios in Chennai.

Several film personalities are extending their condolences to the bereaved family. In her condolence message, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalitha expressed her heartfelt condolences and prayed that the soul of the departed rests in peace.

Will Ilaiyaraaja, Mani Ratnam work together again?

For Kollywood buffs, June 2 is a red letter day, as two legends, Mani Ratnam and Ilaiyaraaja share their birthdays. The duo that has created milestones together, Kollywood feels, should work together again.

Director CS Amudhan opines that filmmakers of his generation share a special relationship with movies made by the winning combination. He says, “They have set the standards for background music. If one were to list out the best background scores in Tamil cinema, one would say they are Mouna Ragam, followed by Nayagan and Thalapathi. These are still the benchmarks.”
Little wonder that most people in Kollywood say the duo must collaborate again. Director Venkat Prabhu, who nurtures the wish to work with his uncle Ilaiyaraaja, says, “I think all their fans would like to see that combination.”
Similar sentiments are echoed by Karthik Raja, the music maestro’s son too. “I wish they could get back together to give us some of those evergreen hits. My dad gets inspired by directors like Mani Ratnam. Few directors are able to bring out the beauty in a composer’s work.”
Amudhan, commenting on the same, says, “Mani Ratnam’s vision always challenged Raja sir’s music. This is why the Isaignani worked differently for Mani sir’s films. Take Anjali, which was so ahead of its time. We’ve not seen Raja sir go back to those kind of tunes. Maybe he is still reserving them for Mani sir.”
The year 2012 will see a comeback of sorts for both these maestros. While Mani Ratnam will have his film Kadal starring Gautham Karthik and Samantha releasing this year, Ilaiyaraaja will see a few releases including Gautham Menon’s Neethaane En Ponvasantham.
Actress-producer Lakshmi Manchu, who will be seen in Kadal and also has Ilaiyaraaja composing for her film Maranthein Mannithen, says, “I am ready to retire now, since I’ve worked with my two idols. It wasn’t my dad but Mani sir who inspired me to get into movies. As for Raja sir, my life wouldn’t be the same without his music. They brought in cheer every time I was down.”

I’m on top of the world: Devi Sri Prasad

Top Telugu and Tamil music director Devi Sri Prasad popularly known as DSP is riding a wave. His Telugu Pawan Kalyan’s Gabbar Singh has turned out to be a runaway super hit.
DSP’s music for GS especially the song Pilla..has become a rage. The bright and young music director takes time of his busy schedule to speak to Sreedhar Pillai.
Q. Gabbar Singh is turning out to be a super hit and your music for the film is topping the charts. Please comment
I’m on top of the world. At the audio launch itself, Pawan Kalyan sir told me that every song in the album is mindblowing. Now I’m happy that his words have come true and the film is turning out to be a blockbuster and music is being appreciated. My special thanks to director Harish Shankar for making it a success.
Q. The song you wrote, Pillaa.. is turning out to be the chartbuster.
I had written for five or six films earlier but nothing like Pillaa.. song.Harish wanted a mass song, and I tweaked it a bit and made it classy, at the same time with a mass touch. The whole song has been written keeping in mind the smile of a girl. A folk singer Vaddepalli Srinivas rendered it well and Pawan Kalyan’s dialogue interlude in the song blended beautifully along with Harish Shankar’s picturisation using drummers in the background worked with the audiences.
Q. Is writing in your blood as your dad was a school teacher and a writer?
Yes, I have imbibed writing from my dad, and have written lyrics for a few Telugu movies earlier(Shankar Dada). But Pillaa was different as every lyricist like Chandrabose garu,Ramajogayya garu, Sahiti garu,Bhaskarabatla garu appreciated me for the lyrics. I became very emotional when the legendary Sitarama Shastry garu called me and praised me for my Pillaa lyrics. It was as good as getting an award.
Q. You seem to be doing more Telugu films than Tamil?
It just happened that I’m doing about 7 films in Telugu with top stars at the moment. In Tamil I’m doing Karthi’s Alex Pandian and all the songs have come out well. Karthi just loves my music and he remembers all my Telugu numbers. I’m also doing Hari sir’s Singam 2 with Suriya sir. We have already recorded two songs for the album.
Q. What’s happening on your Bollywood front especially after Salman’s Ready song Dhinka Chinka an adaptation of Ring a Ringa became rage?
At the moment I’m doing the title song for Kabeer Kaushik’s Maximum which has Naseeruddin Shah and Sonu Sood. They have picked my Aa Ante song from Arya. I should be doing a film for Salman Khan soon, as he has told me that he loves my music.

Music Director A R Rahman's 'Comeback' in Kollywood?

A.R.Rahman is the leading Musician in the Indian film industry. This Maestro though belonging to Kollywood, at times is not able to devote time to Tamil films. Last year 2011 was one such year. There was not even a single release from A.R.Rahman in Kollywood.

It seems, A.R.Rahman is also aware of this and worried about it. Hence, he has decided to make it up by devoting more time to Tamil movies this year. As much as 5 films are expected to be released under A.R.Rahman’s Music.

Those 5 films in A.R.Rahman’s Music are Mani Ratnam’s ‘Kadal’, Rajinikanth’s ‘Kochadaiyaan’, Dhanush’s film ‘Mariyaan’ directed by Bharathbala, Gautham Menon’s ‘Yohan: Adhyayam Ondru’ and a project with Director Shankar also.

On speaking about this, A.R.Rahman said, “Yes, it’s almost like a comeback of sorts for me. I’m making up for my absence. I would compose for as much as 5 films in Tamil this year”.

Last year, A.R.Rahman was very busy with concerts and Bollywood and Hollywood projects. Rahman is very excited to make his comeback in Kollywood.

ARR has a very good relation with Mani Ratnam. Hence, he decided to use the opportunity from, when he got call from Mani Ratnam from ‘Kadal’. At present, ARR is also working on Rajini’s ‘Kochadaiyaan’.

A R Rahman's Sister Makes Her Debut

A.R.Rahman is a World renowned Musician. It seems that, the other members of his family also don’t want to be left behind. Already, G.V.Prakash Kumar, the Son of A.R.Rahman’s Sister is rocking in the Music industry.

Now, it the turn of the A.R.Rahman’s sister A.R.Reihana to make her presence felt in the industry. Already, she has been part of Music composition for few Tamil films like ‘Machi’, which featured Dushyanth, Keerthana, and Shuba Poonja.

A.R.Reihana is the mother of G.V.Prakash Kumar. She is a famous Playback singer, Music composer and RJ. Now, she is all set to make her debut in the Mollywood also.

A.R.Reihana is composing Music for the film ‘Manchotile Veedu’. As a matter of coincidence, her Father R.K.Shekhar too served as famous Music Composer in Mollywood.

All the best A.R.Reihana!

AR Rahman's student Ved Shankar Entry

AR Rahman's student Ved Shankar will be making his debut in the music industry with Naduvala Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom. It is a film to be directed by Balaji Tharaneetharan and features newcomers, Vijay Sedhupathi and Bagavathi. Andrea has sung one of the tracks and Ved Shankar has also rendered a number in his voice.
Ved Shankar was the first student enrolled among the 40 students, AR Rahman handpicked personally for his KM Music Conservatory which he founded in July 2008. Not surprisingly, a lot is expected from Ved Shankar and he will be hoping to make AR Rahman proud.

Rahman's Special Song for Hindi VTV

If A.R. Rahman becomes intensely engrossed over a project, he makes sure of emblazoning them with his uttermost creative levels. Remember the musical maestro giving out a new version of Maangalyam Thanthunaanena Song for Alaipayuthey. Similarly, he had composed an additional song ‘Naan Varuven’ for Manirathnam’s ‘Raavanan’.

Now his ritualistic practice spreads towards Gautham Vasudev Menon as well. While most of the tracks are reprised from the original version for Ek Deewana Tha, the academy award winner has scored an additional track titled Mohabbat that goes in a classical style of Elvis Presley.

The film is scheduled to hit screens day after tomorrow (February 17) and it has already created huge sensation.

AR Rahman at Filmfare Awards

AR Rahman has received the 29th Filmfare Award for the Film Rockstar held at Mumbai and interestingly it’s 25th Award given. The award is been designed with diamonds on the crown and bottom of the award…
The list of Filmfare awards AR Rahman received so far…
List of A R Rahman filmfare awards:
1992 – Roja
1993 – Gentleman
1994 – Kaadhalan
1994 – R D Burman award
1995 – Bombay
1995 – Rangeela
1996 – Kaadhal desam
1997 – Minsarakanavu
1998 – Dil Se
1998 – Jeans
1999 – Taal
1999 – Mudhalvan
2000 – Alaipayuthe
2001 – Lagaan
2002 – The legend of Bhagat singh (background score)
2002 – Saathiya
2004 – Swades
2006 – Rang de basanti
2006 – Sillunnu oru kaadhal
2007 – Guru
2007 – Guru (background score)
2007 – Sivaji
2008 – Jaane tu ya jaane na
2008 – Jodha akbar (background score)
2009 – Delhi 6
2010 – Vinnaithandi varuvaya (VTV)
2010 – VTV (telugu)
2011 – Rockstar

A R Rahman supports Dam 999,wishes for Oscar success!

Music Maestro A R Rahman has wished controversial movie Dam 999 to win an Oscar in songs and music category.

Ilayaraja to perform live!

After nearly six years, Ilayaraja will be performing live in concert at Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai. The date for this concert is December 28th and it will also be broadcast on Jaya TV. The last time he performed the concert was completely sold out and was a phenomenal success Fans still remember it fondly.
Tickets for this happening event are available online. It is going to be a star – studded event with celebs from all over the country putting in an appearance and featuring the leading singers and musicians.

Rahman likes ‘Why this kolaveri’

The latest in the list of celebrities who are impressed with ‘Why this kolaveri di…’, written and penned by Dhanush for his forthcoming film ’3′, is none other than Oscar-Grammy winner A.R Rahman.

Says Anirudh, the music composer, who is making waves right from the day one the single number was released, “I heard from someone that AR Rahman has said he likes the song. That’s really big news for me.”

Some of the big guns who are already appreciative of the song are Superstar Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan and industrialist Anand Mahindra. Top media houses all over the world carried features on the song.
Meanwhile, arrangements are on for the audio launch of ’3′, which is set to take place in Chennai soon. Says Dhanush, “The remaining songs from the movie will be totally different from Kolaveri… Anirudh has done a very good job.”

AR Rahman unable to oblige Gautham

AR Rahman was supposed to do the music for Neethane En Ponvasantham, the trilingual directed by Gautham Menon and starring Jiiva and Samantha in the Tamil version. However, things have not worked out as AR Rahman is a very busy man nowadays and in demand across the globe.
So Harris Jeyaraj will team up once again with Gautham Menon for this film. They have a great track record with super hits like Vaaranam Aayiram, Kaakha Kaakha, Minnale etc. Fans of the duo will be thrilled to hear this news once it is made official. Meanwhile, AR Rahman has promised to do Yohan Adhyayam Ondru for Gautham Menon.

GV Prakash tunes in for 'Karikalan'

And, it is official! GV Prakash Kumar will be composing the tunes for Vikram's period film, 'Karikalan'. While a number of names right from Yuvan Shankar Raja, Vijay Antony to Harris Jayaraj were rumoured to be music composers for this film, it is now official that GV Prakash will compose the tunes.

In fact, a leading daily has reported that GV Prakash has 'silently' begun working on the tunes of this film.

The movie will throw light on Karikalacholan, the man who built the first dam against all odds in India. The music will be composed with instruments which were used back then, which is quite a challenging affair by itself.

'Karikalan' directed by LI Kannan will be produced under the banner of Silver Line Films, N Karthik will handle the cinematography whilst TS Suresh is the editor. Vikram will woo three damsels in this project, Zarine Khan, Mithra Kurian and Radhika Apte.

It may be mentioned that GV Prakash is also composing the music of the Vikram - AL Vijay project.