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We have been waiting for this for 80 years: A.R. Rahman

Meera Srinivasan

‘Representing India at the Oscars a great energy booster’

GALA OPENING: Slumdog Millionaire actors Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor and Madhur Mittal dance their way to the premiere of the film in Mumbai on Thursday; in the picture at centre, the film's co-director Lovleen Tanden and actor Freida Pinto wave to fans outside the venue; and at right, the film's director Danny Boyle and actor Shabana Azmi join the celebrations. - PHOTOS: AP

CHENNAI: When A.R. Rahman bagged three Oscar nominations on Thursday, one for original score and two in the original song category — ‘Jai Ho,’ with lyricist Gulzar and ‘O saya’ with lyricist Maya Arulpragasam — it was a dream come true for India.

“We have been waiting for this for nearly 80 years, haven’t we? I am so elated,” A.R. Rahman told The Hindu on Thursday, soon after the nominations were declared.

Another nomination for the film in the sound mixing category has added to his joy. “I am really happy. I hope we get at least one award,” he said with a chuckle.

“It is an amazing moment. I cannot wait for the announcement,” he said, one month ahead of the Oscars night when Indians may have a chance to hold one or more of the coveted statuettes.

These are among the 10 nominations that the Golden Globe-winning Slumdog Millionaire got.

“On top of the world”

PTI reports from Mumbai:

Mr. Rahman, who felt on “top of the world,” said he was getting offers from Hollywood producers to provide the musical score for their films.

He did not give details of the nature of offers, saying Hollywood producers had been making several telephone calls to him ever since his musical score for Slumdog Millionaire won the Golden Globe award.

Pressed by journalists about the offers, Mr. Rahman said he could not reveal anything due to confidentialities involved but would talk about it at an appropriate time.

Asked whether the Indian film industry would lose him to Hollywood, Mr. Rahman quipped, “I will do a balancing act.”

The music wizard said representing India at the Oscar nomination was a great energy booster.

“I did not think it will get there. God has been really kind. And I have to really thank the prayers of all the people and their good wishes.”

“Something good is happening and I am really happy about it,” he said. “There is a kind of optimism in the film and so much of positive vibes as you leave the movie hall.”

Mr. Rahman said the inspiration for his musical score which had won him international recognition came from the film Slumdog Millionaire itself.

He said he did not think that he had even one per cent chance to hit the international stage when he made his debut in the Indian film industry. The fact that the film got 10 Oscar nominations was a “nice lesson” on how honours could be achieved through collaboration.

He acknowledged lyricist Gulzar’s contribution to his musical score.

Mr. Rahman said he felt good that the music of the film was well-received in the West. “These are good, positive vibes.”

He said there was no special celebration for him. “I am busy mixing the music of Delhi 6. I am a musician and I have commitments to keep.”

The composer said Slumdog Millionaire was his favourite film as it portrayed reality with a sense of optimism.

Gulzar, Irrfan Khan.

‘A landmark moment’

Ziya Us Salam reports from Jaipur:

The Hindi film industry is overjoyed at the nominations, with the reactions ranging from a “landmark moment” to a “very happy occasion” for the country.

Hours before the nominations were announced, popular author Vikas Swarup on whose book, ‘Q & A,’ the screenplay of Danny Boyle’s film is based, said half in jest, “The film has won four Golden Globes. It will now be nominated for three Oscars.” The words, spoken at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival, proved prophetic.

Noted lyricist Gulzar, who has written songs for the film, said: “I am very happy. It is a very significant occasion. Any nomination for an award as prestigious as the Oscar opens new avenues for Indian artistes.”

Refusing to speculate whether the film will finally win any award, he said: “The nomination itself in three categeories is worthy of praise.”

Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt felt the industry has something to cheer about, and it brings the world’s attention to our films, even if ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ is not technically an Indian film.”

Noted actor Irrfan, who has also done an important role in the film, said: “The Oscars are just a shot away.” Hailing Boyle for his work, he felt only a foreigner could have made the film with the “dispassionate intensity” that the subject needed.

Mahesh Manjrekar, who has a cameo in the film, said: “I’m feeling on top of the world. The film has a certain x-factor which is difficult to describe, but worked well for the film.”

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