Tamil Nadu gears to give grand reception to A.R. Rahman

By Sam Rajappa – TNS

CHENNAI – A smiling yet modest AR Rahman, who made a triumphant return home on Thursday after winning two Oscars for the music of the film Slumdog Millionaire, said his victory would change apprehensions about Indian music in the West and was a starting point for him as well.

Rahman, who became the first Indian to win two Oscars, arrived at the Chennai airport from Dubai by an Emirates Airways flight around 2.30 am. Arriving to the chants of 'Jai ho', the award winning song of "Slumdog Millionaire", by his fans and well-wishers, Rahman said he was completely overwhelmed and touched by the rousing reception. "They (fans) almost killed me with their love," he said in a lighter vein.

"My biggest dream to connect people through music has come true. In a world where there are enough reasons to separate us, the Oscars have unified us," Rahman told reporters later at the Kodak Theatre.

"Let's forget about the East and West divide now - it's the closeness now that has happened. There used to be a lot of apprehensions earlier for Indian music in the West but this award has changed that perception."

Actors Silambarasan - Simpu, Radha Ravi and ace singer-actor S.P. Balasubramanian have lent their voices to the characters played by Dev Patel, Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor respectively. Falcon Films have not disclosed the sum at which the rights were bought, but industry sources said at least Rs. 5 million was paid as advance royalty.

Apart from two golden statuettes, Rahman also bagged the Golden Globes award and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) trophy for an original score in Danny Boyle's rags-to-riches drama Slumdog Millionaire.