A.R.Rahman images - ASCII art

Harshal Chavan, have made boss's pic using only text (this art called ascii art) which is made of using name of tamil films composed by him. If you observed the page you can find out all film names from Roja to JA.

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Jodhaa Akbar collected Rs 385 million worldwide

MUMBAI: Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starrer Jodhaa Akbar has grossed Rs 385 million worldwide in its opening weekend (inclusive of paid previews on Thursday).

As per information available from UTV, the film has grossed Rs 28 million ($ 713,000) in the UK, Rs 64 million ($ 1,600,000) in the US, Rs 18 million ($ 460,000) in the Gulf, Rs 5 million ($ 135,000) in Australia, Rs 250 million in India ($ 6,250,000) and Rs 15 million ($ 380,000) in other territories across the world.

In the US, the film has had the second highest opening ever, after Om Shanti Om. United Motion Pictures (UMP) director Siddharth Roy Kapur says, "Jodhaa Akbar has performed and exceeded our expectations. We are thrilled with the response from audiences and critics worldwide. These collections are testimony to the fact that a great movie will find its audience."

Rahman plans Broadway style musical in India

God of Music - AR Rahman, making a self-confessed "U-turn" after his success with the Lord of the Rings musical on London's West End, is now planning to bring a mega Broadway-style musical to India.

"Yes, it will be very soon," Rahman said at the Jet Airways-sponsored gala launch of the Lord of the Rings compact disc in London on Monday. Rahman said his plan is to create an original musical play of the kind seen in London and New York to be put up on an Indian stage, most probably in Haryana, near Delhi. The staging will hinge on plans by Indian events management and entertainment company Wizcraft to develop an entire town near Delhi, patterned after Las Vegas, Rahman told IANS in an interview. "There will be a big theatre, that's all good news. It's good to see people opening up," he said.

Although Rahman is keeping his plans tightly wrapped, it is aimed at linking Indian tourism with a modern musical stage, just as London's West End attracts millions of international tourists.

"A lot of things are too early to say, let's hope for the best."

Whether the original musical will be on the scale of London's musicals remains to be seen. Rahman himself prefers something on the scale of "Lion King", based on a popular Disney film.

Lord of the Rings, the most expensive West End production, is an eye-popping spectacular that cost £12 million (about Rs.950 million) to put up. On any given night there are 226 people from computer programmers to actors involved in the show, which brings British author J.R.R Tolkien's fantasy epic to life.

But Rahman, who has breathed life into the cult classic with his music, said he has made a "u-turn" after his stint with West End and Hollywood. He scored the music for Elizabeth: the Gold Age and is now looking at India. "I've been given great respect in India. It's time for me to give back," he said in the interview.

His biggest projects at the moment are his music production company KM Music and a music school that he launched in Chennai on his birthday, January 6. Looking at India again, he said, has had "a liberating effect" on him.

With American and British musician-friends ready to fly to India to help with his project, Rahman said his school is designed to teach "the minutiae" of music to young Indians, adding: "That's what every kid wants to do - learn music the right away.

"Some of this stuff is beyond money - it's about changing people's perspective on things. This can only be done if you have a musical vision. It might not give instant gratification, but in the long run it's going to help shape up a lot of things."

Jodha Akbar Tamil/Telugu versions to release on latter date

Jodha Akbar Tamil/Telugu versions to release on Mar 6

It is informed you that the Tamil and Telugu versions of Ashutosh Gowariker’s historical JODHAA AKBAR were slated for release simultaneously with the Hindi version of the film on 15th February. But now, UTV has decided to release the Hindi version on the scheduled date and push the Tamil and Telugu versions to a latter date.

Siddharth Roy Kapur of UTV confirms, “We’ve decided to defer the release of Tamil and Telugu versions by 3 weeks. The Tamil and Telugu versions will now release on 6th March. The reason for the deferred release is, we want to promote the South versions further. Also, if the film works in a big way [which it should], the Tamil and Telugu versions would only stand to benefit.”

Meanwhile, UTV is releasing the historical in approx. 1,500 screens in 26 countries. “It’ll be the biggest ever release for a Hindi film in U.S. [125 screens], while U.K. will see around 70 screens. We’re covering the domestic [India] market with 825 prints,” Siddharth adds.

Jet Airways Partners The Launch Of The Lord Of The Rings Musical Album

Jet Airways, India’s premier airline supported the Launch of Lord of the Rings Cast (Musical) album on Monday, February 11, 2008 at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London, U.K.

The album features the 70 strong cast and orchestra, has lyrics by Shaun McKenna & Matthew Warchus and music by A.R. Rahman, Värttinä and Christopher Nightingale.

This unique partnership between the production team of The Lord of the Rings and Jet Airways means that travellers flying to India on Jet Airways flights will be able to enjoy music from the show and watch an interview with India’s most renowned composer A.R. Rahman. In addition, all passengers travelling to the UK on Jet Airways are entitled to a free single price category upgrade on presentation of their boarding card. Other benefits include free show programmes and discounted merchandise for the airline’s platinum loyalty cardholders.

As India’s premier airline that embraces the spirit of new India, Jet Airways found a synergy between themselves and the high quality production – The Lord of the Rings - which takes theatregoers on a musical, mysterious and adventurous journey.

Said Raja Ségran, Regional Vice-President UK, Europe and Americas, “We are delighted to be partnering with The Lord of the Rings for the launch of their cast album. Since opening in June 2007 the show has won countless plaudits throughout the West End for its quality, innovation and for giving people a great experience – all the attributes that as an airline Jet Airways embodies.”

The album features Malcolm Storry as ‘Gandalf’, James Loye as ‘Frodo Baggins’, Laura Michelle Kelly as ‘Galadriel’, Michael Therriault ‘Gollum’, Peter Howe ‘Sam’, Jérôme Pradon ‘Aragorn’, Brian Protheroe ‘Saruman’, Richard Henders ‘Merry’, Owen Sharpe ‘Pippin’, Michael Rouse ‘Logolas’, Sévan Stephan ‘Gimli’, Steven Miller ‘Boromir’ and Rosalie Craig ‘Arwen’, with Andrew Jarvis as ‘Elrond’, Terence Frisch ‘Bilbo’, Tim Morgan ‘The Steward of the Lands of the Men’ and Kirstie Malpass ‘Rosie’.

NAIR SAN -THE LEGENDARY INDIAN PATRIOT IN WORLD CINEMA

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NAIR SAN: THE LEGENDARY INDIAN PATRIOT IN WORLD CINEMA

1964 Japan Olympics. It was a thrilling moment for India when Indian Hockey Team won the Gold. But when the National anthem was being played at the medal distribution ceremony one among the crowd began shouting at the Japanese Government only because of the fact that instead of India's National Anthem the authorities played Pakistani National Anthem. Even though there were many officials and great personalities from India who were witnessing the incident none raised their voice other than this great Indian. That was the Indian legendary hero Ayyapan Pllai Madhavan Nair famous as Nair San in Japan. This is only one of the incidents which show the patriotism of this great man who became the reason for ending the Asian exploitation by the British during the freedom struggle.

For those who know Nair san personally he is special in different ways. Nair San had to leave his native land Kerala at the age of 18 as he campaigned among the students and led protests and marches against the social injustices of the British. He rebelled against the Education tax polled by English rulers. Being settled in Japan he struggled hard to root out the imperialism in Asian Countries. At the same time freedom fighters in India assembled men against English rulers. His efficiency in Japanese, Chinese and Spanish languages lifted him above all other Indian freedom fighters in Japan such as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Rash Behari Bose, Pratap Singh, Barkathullah etc. Thus Nair San became an ever lively presence in the strong and well arming agitation organized by Indian National Army and Indian Independence League.

Many thrilling moments in the life of Nair San are unknown. His strange experiences and dangerous encounters taking the roles of a trader, a Holy lama and a Soofi during his one man expedition and exploration through the deserts and Plateau of Manchukia, Ala Shaan, Mongolia, Tibet, and China in 1933 paved the way for ending the illicit wool trade of the British which contributed the major source of their income.

When a renowned film Director from Kerala like Albert honored with awards for his debut film decided to take up the story of Nair San for his next film it is a prestigious moment for the whole of India as the film is being designed in such a way so as to attract the aesthetics of the International audience. Albert's passion and vision on Nair San is complemented by his tremendous urge to discover new eras on the subject and to create a truly international class Asian film spanning different cultures, languages and religions. The adventurous life of Nair San lighted the flame in Albert's mind to create such a film where the Director's creative concept is used more than the mere historical approach. The story is based on 'Memories of Nair San' the biography of A.M.Nair and the creative concept is developed by Albert himself.

Padmasree Mohanlal acts the lead role in the first Japanese film directed by an Indian. He was awarded PADMASREE, one of the Highest Indian Civilian honor (2001). Also he had won four National Awards and many recognitions and honors. His film ‘VANAPRASTHAM’ was screened in the 52nd Cannes Film Festival and won the National Award for his amazing performance as a ‘Kathakali’ artist. The other two famous actors in the film are selected from Bollywood. The leading Japanese actress is preferred to be the heroine of Mohanlal. As Nair San married a Japanese lady it is the perfect recreation by the director himself to select a Japanese actress as the heroine.

Discussions and attempts are moving fast to accommodate the world action hero Jackie Chan also in this film to play the role of a Cameo",

Music maestro A.R.Rahman will be doing music for the film. The traditional Mongolian & Japanese songs included in the film will be a different experience for the music lovers.

The $7.5 million budget film is said to be a different experience for the film lovers worldwide as it is the result of the hard work and enthusiasm of a handful of talented artists. As Japan is the second largest film market in the world the revenue calculated from the movie will be much more than the budget of the film.

The major location of the film is Japan, Mongolia and India. The schedule of the film is planned within 145 days and it is expected to release by the end of 2008. Albert had been in hazardous attempt to secure all the detailed knowledge for the perfection of the film.

JODHA AKBAR on top of list in bollyvista

TOP 5 ALBUMS OF THE WEEK

1. JODHAA AKBAR
2. TAARE ZAMEEN PAR
3. WELCOME
4. SUNDAY
5. SUPERSTAR

link to bollyvista.com

Chat with A.R.Rahman

Allah Rakha Rahman burst on the national musical consciousness in 1992, with a score for the Mani Ratnam-helmed Indian hit Roja that was markedly different from the prevailing template of film music of the time.

Audiences know him, love him, from and through his music alone; the reclusive genius has been reluctant to engage in extended interviews or appear in live interactions with his fans.

That is set to change at 11 pm IST/0930 Eastern, Saturday, February 9, when A R Rahman will appear, live, on the Rediff Chat to interact with millions of his fans around the world. The audience will inevitably be 'standing room only', the questions will certainly be voluminous.

In order that Rahman can answer as much as humanly possible, the maestro has requested that you send in your questions ahead of time -- he will, at the appointed hour, appear live on the Rediff Chat to answer as many as he can.

Post your questions in the area alongside by 1800 IST Friday and watch this space for the link to the chat room, where you get to interact, live, with unarguably India's finest composer.

Hurray !!!

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