Composer extraordinaire A R Rahman (Allah Rakha Rahman) has already taken home the gold with his win at the Golden Globes for his work on Slumdog Millionaire and it looks like he’s set to bag a few Academy Awards. With such success, it’s only natural that he be featured on the cover of People Magazine India! The magazine features an in-depth interview with him and his mother. Here are some highlights from that interview.
About winning the Golden Globe Rahman said, “My win is a win for Indian music. And I want to bring India more and more recognition in the field of music.”
He said that his job is not all about the music, “Being a film music composer is not just about scoring good music. It is also about having ethics, commitment, passion and friendship.”
His mother, Kareema Begum, who is of course proud of the work he has done was in tears when he went on stage to received his Golden Globe, “My son looked so tall, holding his award among all those foreigners.” She also reveals in the magazine that he has to be reminded to eat when he is the middle of a project. “I have to send my grandchildren to the studio to remind him to have his food. These days, he has lunch as late as 5 pm and dinner at 1 am.”
He also talked the opening of his music conservatory and about his charity The A R Rahman Foundation that works to end global poverty. Rahman says, “I realise that it is not something that can be achieved in one lifetime. But winning international acclaim is a starting point. I hope that I can give my best to society by collaborating with many kind-hearted people.”
He says that it is his spirituality that raises his creativity and a prayer precedes every recording at his studio. “I believe if you don’t have a clean and calm mind it is impossible to churn out great music. It boosts my confidence, instills humility and detaches me from everything else.”
Rahman opened up about many other topics in the interview including his use of technology, more about his family life and the influence from his father: “My father was a hard worker and never judged musicians by their compositions. He had great respect for them as people and I learnt the same.”
Next up is the BAFTA awards and then February 22nd the Academy Award! Rahman told CNN-IBN about his nominations for the Oscars. “It was really unexpected and we all are very surprised. I have received so many SMSes from all over the country. Thank you so much for your love and prayers.”
To read more of this exciting interview be sure to pick up your copy of the magazine in stores now!
