"Padma Bhushan means more to me than Oscar & Grammy" - A.R. Rahman

After the Oscars and the Padma Bhushan, it's Grammy time for A R Rahman. On Sunday night, his music for Slumdog Millionaire won two Grammy awards, setting Rahman's global score even higher in 2010 than it was last year.

Reacting to the double Grammy whammy, Rahman said, "I never even dreamt about winning all these awards. I once again want to thank the Almighty, my spiritual Sufi teachers Ameen Peerullah Malik Sahib, Danny Boyle and the whole Slumdog creative team."

After the Grammy, Rahman also had a special word of thanks for his mentor Mani Ratnam and his mentors in Mumbai, Shekhar Kapur and Subhash Ghai and mentor in the West, Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Back home, Rahman is happy to have received the Padma Bhushan. But unhappy about the fact that a lot of the deserving artistes remain unrecognized by the government. "There're so many deserving candidates for National Awards, still unsung. On the other hand, I believe people with dubious records get recognized. That isn't fair. Personally speaking I'm very happy to get the Padma Bhushan. Ever since the announcement my phone hasn't stopped ringing. I think I've received more congratulations for the Padma than for the Oscars."

Rahman says he's prouder of the Padma Bhushan than the Oscar. "It definitely means more when you're recognized by your own people and country. I definitely value this award more than the Oscar or Grammy," said Rahman before flying out to Los Angeles for the Grammys. "My award comes in a category that won't be televised. So it won't be like Slumdog Millionaire where people back home could watch me."

Much has been said about the two Padma winners Rahman and sound designer Resul Pookutty's disappointing follow-up collaboration in Blue after Slumdog Millionaire. But Rahman stands by Blue. "The script was a bummer. But grant the director Anthony D'Souza for the fact that he tried something different. I enjoyed doing Blue."

Our resident Mozart is amused by premature reports in the press that his song 'Na Na' from his first Hollywood soundtrack has been nominated for and Oscar.

Says Rahman, "'Na Na' is short listed. It's one of 63 songs in the race. Not nominated yet. It's an English song."

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Sanjay Dutt moves from Gandhigiri to Freedom

Sanjay Dutt has opened a new chapter in his life. From playing a gangster in a dozen odd films to advocating 'gandhigiri' in Lage Raho Munnabhai, he would now be marching to a different beat with Freedom, a film which would take audience through the journey of India from the 70s to the current times. The film would be directed by Vivek Agnihotri and has already been given a nod of approval by Sanjay Dutt as well as Madhavan. Hunt for the remainder of the principal cast is on.

Confirms Vivek Agnihotri, the man behind Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal (John Abraham, Arshad Warsi, Bipasha Basu) and Chocolate (Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Tanushree Dutta), "Yes, Freedom is happening for sure. The principal cast is more or less finalised and talks with Sanjay Dutt and Madhavan are progressing quite well as they are in the final stages. Sanjay is out of town and I would be meeting him soon after his return to take a closure on the formalities. I am also keen on signing Mohan Lal for the film and have approached him as well. It would be great if he consents because the film will certainly befit his standing as an actor who only does meaningful cinema."

Looking at the subject of Freedom, it does hint of being meaningful cinema with a commercial appeal to it. Describing the film as a political thriller that gives a blow by blow account of modern day India during last three decades, Vivek gets emotional by calling Freedom as a dream come true, "This is a story that I have been waiting to tell for years now. Though Chocolate and Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal happened in the interim, I was always keen to bring Freedom for Indian viewers. The beauty of the subject is that it stays on to be as topical as ever as it starts in the 70s and takes us to the current times. Even if I had to make Freedom in 2020, it will still retain its charm because there would always be newer episodes to tell from the decade gone by."

Apparently, Vivek completely distanced himself from the outside world while writing the film. "I worked with Prasoon Joshi on the script for close to 6 months. After that I went to Himalayas for a couple of months and have just returned after locking the final draft. It has been over two years since Dhan Dhan Dhan Goal and I am raring to go. However, if you ask me whether I am tired then I would say 'No'. Writing Freedom has been such an enriching experience and even if I am required to spend a couple of more years to add more to it, I won't mind."

For Sanjay Dutt, it would be yet another saga other than his under production Lamhaa (directed by Rahul Dholakia) where he would be a part of a topical tale. Though in 2009 he saw success coming his way via a comic route (All The Best), 2010 could well open a new chapter in his life with Freedom following next. In the current decade, most of the films where he has been shown on the right side of the law (Shootout At Lokhandwala, Dus, Kurukshetra, Mission Kashmir) have been successful at the box office. Are we looking at him as a law keeper once again in Freedom?

"It would be too early to divulge his role though I can assure that it pretty much justifies his heavy weight presence", assures Vivek, "He would be present from start to finish of the film and would remain a part of the narrative through all the decades."

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SRK on 'Ra-1', 'Don 2' and Yash Chopra's next

Everyone's aware that Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies and Karan Johar's Dharma Productions are producing MY NAME IS KHAN jointly. But not many are aware that when Karan requested SRK to step in as producer-partner, the tie up happened within a minute or two.

"I told Karan that he didn't need me [as producer-partner]. He has an efficient production house, but he insisted. So I said okay, we shook hands and I stepped into the project as producer-partner," Shah Rukh says.

Post MY NAME IS KHAN, SRK moves over to his home-production RA-1, a superhero film helmed by Anubhav Sinha. Reportedly, SRK's preference to RA-1 has strained his relations with Farah Khan. "That's untrue. Why should I be upset with Farah? Farah and I go a long way. Farah, Sajid, Shirish are family and there's no tension whatsoever," SRK rubbishes the rumours.

Meanwhile, SRK will also begin filming DON 2 later this year. Reportedly, he has also given the go-ahead to Yash Raj's next venture, to be directed by Yash Chopra. "They haven't approached me yet, but if Yash-ji or Adi do offer me a project, I'd gladly walk on the set any day," he smiles.

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Lara Dutta signed up as brand ambassador for Colgate

If one has the smile that appeals to the whole 'Universe' and the other has that 'special something' that enhances smiles the world over, then, don't you feel that the coming together of the two is just inevitable?
Well, we are talking about the former 'Miss Universe' Lara Dutta, who, as per the latest buzz, has been signed up by the oral care major Colgate Palmolive as their brand ambassador. According to Bollywood Hungama's confirmed sources, "Lara's name was playing on the minds of the Colgate officials since quite sometime now. And there couldn't have been a better time to sign on Lara as their brand ambassador". True-Blue girl that Lara always is, this association is something that is bound to sparkle its way to (smiling) glory!

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Shriya Saran's item number in Puli

Reigning Tamil actress Shriya Saran is not a typical item dancer, but has performed more than five item numbers in her career spanning nine years. Her latest will be in Power star Pawan Kalyan's upcoming Komaram Puli, directed by S.J. Suryah of Khushi fame. According to sources, Shriya Saran's item number to the tunes of Oscar Winner A.R. Rahman was recently shot in Hyderabad. Starring London-based model Nikisha Patel as the heroine, Komaram Puli is presented by S. Satyamurthi and produced by Singamala Ramesh under the banner of Kanakaratna Movies. Meanwhile, after doing over 45 films in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and English, Shriya Saran is making her Malayalam debut with Mammootty's Pokkiri Raja being directed by Vysakh. The film is progressing at brisk pace and expected to grace screens during summer.

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Golden boy Rahman makes India proud with double Grammys

New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) Indians went 'Jai Ho' once again Monday when music maestro A.R. Rahman scored a double triumph at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, a year after bagging two Oscars for his foot tapping music for 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
The composer bagged the best compilation soundtrack for a motion picture and another one for 'Jai Ho' for the best motion picture song at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.
He won the award with veteran lyricist Gulzar and Tanvi Shah who wrote the Spanish lyrics for it.
'This is insane, god is great again,' a beaming Rahman said after receiving the award at the biggest show in the music world. The other Indian contenders, Zakir Hussain and Amjad Ali Khan, could not manage to win the golden gramophones.
'Insane eh? I never even dreamt about winning all these awards,' Rahman posted on his Twitter page shortly after receiving the award.
Just a year ago, Rahman's music for 'Slumdog Millionaire', a screen adaptation of Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel 'Q & A', had propelled him to the record books as India's first double Oscar winner.
Besides the Oscars and now the Grammys, the Chennai musician's composition for the film has also won him other prestigious international awards like the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), Critics Choice Award and the Golden Globe.
'We all are very proud of him. This magical musician has brought more honour to India, his family, fans, friends and his entire team. Such a young man has made his mark on the music map of the world. All of us should put him on our shoulders,' said Gulzar who shares the prestigious award with him.
'I am proud of Rahman as a special friend and composer who made India proud in the world of music. It's his true dedication towards innovative music and his connection with divine energies. Bravo Rahman!' exclaimed filmmaker Subhash Ghai who roped in the composer for his films 'Taal', 'Kisna: The Warrior Poet' and 'Yuvvraaj'.
Director Imtiaz Ali added: 'It fills me with pride. Also makes me think if he is getting this much accolade for 'Jai ho', wonder what the reaction of the West will be when they discover the rest of Rahman? I'm waiting to see the man go from strength to strength.'
The composer's sister Reihana said winning awards was 'a way of life' for her 44-year-old brother.
'It's a good start of the year. It was Rahman's birthday on Jan 6 and now he wins Grammys. It's a way of life now since he has won so many,' Reihana told NDTV after her brother won the award.
'When he was going for the Golden Globes last year, he was doubtful about his win and so were we, but after he got that, it has been awards and awards for him, so we were quite sure that he will get the Grammy as well,' she added.
The song was crooned by Sukhvinder Singh, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Vijay Prakash with support from Rahman and Shah.
Global honours may have come his way only since 'Slumdog Millionaire', but the unassuming composer has been contributing to world music for quite a while. He composed music for the 'The Lord of the Rings' theatre production, for instance, as well as for Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Bombay Dreams'.
His talent first came to the fore with 'Roja' in 1992, and there has been no looking back since for the musician, who has just been awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.

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Katrina reveals her past

Katrina Kaif, Karan Johar's guest this week on 'Lift Kara De' on Sony, made some startling revelations about her past. (Text courtesy: Hindustantimes.com)

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