A R Rahman hopes to replicate 'Slumdog' success with new Tamil movie
18 December 2009

'Slumdog Millionaire' composer, Indian music maestro A R Rahman, hopes to replicate his Oscar-winning success with a collaboration with director Gautham Vasudev Menon in the Tamil film 'Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa' ("Will you come to me, from across the sky?"). The soundtrack to the forthcoming film was previewed on Saturday evening at a reception at BAFTA in London. All the artists featured on the soundtrack performed live at the launch and A.R. Rahman went on stage to talk about the film and also to thank his fans.

The movie, made in both Tamil and Telugu, is to be released in February 2010 and follows the love story of Karthik and Jessie. Karthik is an ambitious idealist while Jessie is a simple, conservative Malayalee Christian girl. When Karthik and Jessie meet, it's love at first sight...for Karthik. Jessie holds back, but is unable to resist the persuasive, romantic Karthik. However cultural clashes soon rear their head.

This is the eighth movie from film-maker Gautham Vasudev Menon. Engineer turned director, Menon's films have, over a short time span, become trend setters in the Tamil film industry-enjoying both commercial success and critical acclaim. He has made stars out of actors including Madhavan (Minnale) and Surya (Kaaka Kaaka). In the recent past, he has made a mark in the film industry with the release of Vaaranam Aayiram starring Surya and Vettaiyadu Villaiyadu starring Kamal Haasan.

Double Oscar winner and recipient of a host of awards, A.R. Rahman is an internationally celebrated composer. Rahman, who made his debut in Mani Rathnam's Roja, created a new wave of sound and music and since then there has been no looking back. Rahman worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber on Bombay Dreams and has composed for the 'Lord of the Rings' musical. In 2006, he received an honorary award from Stanford University for contributions to global music. But it was in 2009 when Rahman won his Oscars for 'Slumdog Millionaire' that he was catapulted into the global spotlight. He recently performed at the Obama luncheon at Washington and has been nominated for a Grammy this year.

This is the first Tamil soundtrack that Rahman has worked on since winning the Oscars. Speaking at the launch, Rahman said: "Winning the Oscars was great and it does make you mindful of a global cross-over audience, but every film I work on is precious to me. The music is key for this film; Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a story of two different cultures, and all the emotion of that comes through the music. It's the first time that Gautham and I have worked together and because it's a new combination, there has been a lot of curiosity and anticipation about the soundtrack."

Talking about the topic of the film at the launch, Menon said: "In the movie, Karthik is a script writer whose friend tells him not to write a script about a romantic cultural clash because it would be too cliched; by poking fun at the genre we work around the cliches of a love story".

"Working with A.R. Rahman has been inspirational; we're very pleased with the end result and there is huge excitement about the soundtrack."

The seven-song soundtrack features lyrics in Tamil, Malayalam (a language predominantly spoken in Kerala in South India) and English. Full details of each track are below. The soundtrack will be released globally through Sony BMG in January 2010.

SONG DETAILS

1.Omana Penne
Omana Penne translates as "Beautiful girl" in Malayalam- a language predominantly spoken in Kerala, a state in south India. Jessie-our female lead is a simple, conservative girl from Kerala who the male lead-Karthik falls head over heels in love with at first sight. Karthik follows her to Kerala and is completely captivated by her simplicity and beauty and can't help himself but call her his 'beautiful girl'.

There are references in the song to the backwaters and churches in Kerala-reasons that it is hailed as one of the most beautiful places on earth. The song has been shot at some never before seen locales in Malta, and is a visual treat for audiences from around the world. Presented differently with stylized choreography and cinematography, it captures the sublime chemistry between the lead pair. Special Malayalam lyrics have also been written to add to the authenticity of the character and the film. Sung by Benny Dayal with Kalyani Menon adding to the Malayalam flavor, Omana Penne is a sure favorite for all ARR fans wherever!

2.Anbil Avan
A song of celebration! Shot at some of the best places in New York, this song is a tribute love and to the passion that the lead pair share. It's the kind of composition that you will hit your replay button on, listening to it over and over again. And you still wouldn't have enough. Shot at the Brooklyn Bridge, Times Square, New Hope, Bridge Water and other iconic places across New York, this song is a mark of celebration that only a creator like Gautham can pull off with finesse along with musical brilliance by A.R.Rahman.

The lyrics draw references from the Tamil Bible and marks and celebrates the bond of two people sanctified in marriage. Devan and Chinmayi have lent their voices to this beautiful song with an energy that is truly felt in the music.

3.Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa….
The title track which translates as "Will you come to me, from across the sky…?"

If there is one word alone to describe this song, it would be 'character'. From the way it's been composed, to the way Karthik has sung the track, and not to forget the simple yet stylish programming. The song has been edited beautifully to showcase the intimacy between the lead pair and the intricacies of their relationship.

4.Hosanna
A song that brilliantly captures the "Love at first sight" concept-that Indians and diehard romantics are completely sold on! Dumb-struck by looking at this classy, beautiful yet simple girl - Jessie, Karthik is filled with an emotion that doesn't have a name in his dictionary! His feelings cannot be described with mere words and only breaking into poetry could do justice to him, to Jessie, to Love.

Shot against the backdrop of Churches at Malta, Europe, the song has some breath taking visuals shot at some virgin locations and also covers a local festival that was underway at the time. The song begins with such a beautiful melody and then progresses into a fast number with English rap! A spectrum that ARR covers with such ease and genius.

Sung in a rap style by Vijayprakash (singer of the Academy Award Winning Song "Jai Ho" from Slumdog Millionere), along with Suzanne and BlaaZe (who has contributed with his flavor of English rap) and beautifully strung words by Thamarai that bring in a regional/local sensibility to the otherwise very international tune.

5.Kannukkul Kannai
Lyrics and Production Design are two things that stand out in this song. Artistically visualized by Rajeevan, the production designer, the idea has taken shape as four different set designs which have to it some brilliant lighting by Manoj Paramahamsa and stylish choreography by Flexy Stu. Silambarasan and Trisha are sure to win applauds with their performances in this song-which has an underlying tension and eroticism running throughout. Creatively directed by Gautham himself, the song has a dark shade to it which comes out brilliantly in the audio and video!

6.God's Own Country Theme
Compositions that blend seamlessly with some important scenes in the film- this would be the signature track of the film. Well orchestrated and programmed, you need to hear it to believe it. Every frame which has been shot for this music accentuates the mood of the situation hence making it more realistic for the viewer to relate to the story.

7.Mannipaayaa
The most awaited composer-artist combination has finally made a comeback in Tamil music with this album- A.R.Rahman with Shreya Goshal! Ever since fans have heard that the two are teaming up together once again, anticipation levels have soared. And with A. R. Rahman lending his voice to the track- excitement levels have reached a new high. Thamarai has written some brilliant lines for the song which has aptly captured Jessie's predicament- being madly in love with a boy and yet causing him pain. And hence says 'Mannipaayaa'. Sorry. Shot in Chennai at various locations, the song has some lovely moments between the pair- completely, madly in love.