AR Rahman returns to a rousing welcome

He came, albeit one-and-half hours late, apologised to waiting mediapersons, and conquered everyone’s heart. What followed was a 30-minute free-wheeling conversation with Allah Rakha Rahman that left everyone gasping for more. D Ram Raj was among the select few print journalists who spoke to Rahman at a hotel in Chennai on Thursday. Excerpts from the interaction.

What clinched the award for Jai Ho?

As I said previously, if a beautiful woman wears a lovely ornament, the value of the jewellry ehances. The movie was beautiful and the music became the crowning jewel. 

How do you feel after winning the Oscar?

Chennai, Feb 26 : A. R. Rahman who won Oscars for best original score and best original song in the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire' has said that the Slumdog kids sharing the platform with Hollywood actors like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie is a bigger statement than him winning two Oscars.

Rahman returned to his home in Chennai to a rousing welcome early on Thursday morning.

Forty-three-year-old Rahman was received by friends and fans.

Los Angeles/Chennai, Feb 23 : Noted music composer A. R. Rahman who created a sensation on Sunday by winning two Oscars for Best Original Song and Original Score for the movie `Slumdog Millionaire', said he was both excited and terrified.

Rahman's song `Jai Ho', received accolades from across the world.

Rahman is only the third Indian after Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya and Director Satyajit Ray to win an Oscar gold.

Athaiya was honored with an Oscar for the movie `Gandhi' in 1982 while Ray received a lifetime achievement award in 1992.

Khatkar Kalan (Punjab)/ New Delhi, Feb 23 : Congratulating the team of ''Slumdog Millionaire'' for its resounding success at the Oscars, Home Minister P. Chidambaram today said he would ask the Finance Ministry to exempt from taxation all cash prizes won by A R Rahman at the Oscars.

"If the Oscars carry any cash award, I would recommend to the Finance Minister that it should be exempt from taxation," Chidambaram said while addressing a public function at Khatkar Kalan in Punjab today.

Mumbai, Jan. 22 : ByLos Angeles - AR Rahman, the undisputed king of modern Indian music, has won plenty of awards.

But nothing prepared him for the butterflies in his stomach as he walked up on the stage of the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles in front of an audience packed with the world's most famous cinema stars to accept not one, but two, of filmmaking's most prestigious awards.

"I am excited and terrified," Rahman said half-jokingly, half-seriously. "The last time I felt that way was during my marriage."

Washington, Feb 23: Composer AR Rahman has created history by scooping two Oscar awards for Best Original score and Best Original song for Slumdog Millionaire.

The award for Best Song `Jai Ho' was shared by Rahman and renowned lyricist Gulzar.

Ressul Pookutty also walked away with the golden trophy for Best Sound Mixing.

The critically acclaimed film has also won an award for the Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Best Film editing each.

Danny Boyle has been honoured with the Best Director award for Slumdog Millionaire.