A R Rahman honored with Crystal Award at WEF

Very next day, he won two Academy award nominations, Indian musician A R Rahman was honoured with the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum. Rahman received the award at the opening ceremony of the Forum’s annual meet, attended by 2500 global leaders from business, government, art, culture and religion. The 44 year old, Rahman, clad in an embroidered black kurta, received the award which is given annually by the WEF to outstanding artistes who use their talent for social and charitable work. While the WEF recognized Rahman for his music in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and ‘Bombay Dreams’, it took note of his work in the field of child welfare. While receiving the award, the ‘Mozart of Madras’, who has won several national and international awards, including the two Grammys and two Oscars, said that he gets "motivation" from the social work.

Jose Carreras, an opera artist from Barcelona, was also given the Crystal Award for his work for the patients of leukemia.

The award function was attended by several heads of governments, including Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, top CEOs, religious leaders and academicians. A strong 130-member delegation from India is attending the five-day annual WEF meet.

Padma Bhushan to Aaamir Khan and A R Rahman

After Priyanka Chopra won the National Award in the best actress category for ‘Fashion’ recently, it’s actor Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan along with living legends Rekha and Zohra Sehgal, who have made the Indian film industry proud.

On the occasion of 60th Republic Day, maverick actor Aamir Khan has bagged the coveted Padma Bhushan Award for his outstanding contribution to Hindi cinema. The 44 year old perfectionist Khan, who made his directorial debut with the critically-acclaimed ‘Taare Zameen Par’ in 2007, recently came out with ‘3 Idiots’ that has become the highest earning movie in Bollywood.

The coveted award has also been bestowed upon music maestro AR Rahman. Rahman won multiple Oscar and Golden Globe Awards last year for the music and background score of 'Slumdog Millionaire'. He has also been nominated in 2010 for 'Couples Retreat'.

And that’s not all, the ever so beautiful veteran actress Rekha and Bollywood heartthrob Saif Ali Khan have won the prestigious Padma Shri award for significant performances in the history of Hindi cinema.

It is also revealed that eminent theatre and film personality Zohra Sehgal is likely to be given Padma Shri.

The awards were announced early on Monday and have surely come as pleasant surprise for the Indian film fraternity.

Kudos to the winners!

UK Asian Music Award to AR Rahman

A R Rahman, the Double Oscar winner musician has been honoured with the B4U Outstanding Achievement trophy at the UK Aisan Music Awards 2009.

A R Rahman was honoured with UK Aisan Music Award for taking Asian music to the global platform.

Rahman recently won two Oscars, one BAFTA and a Golden Globe award for his music in the film Slumdog Millionaire. Now UK Aisan Music Award has come to his honour.

The UK Asian Music Awards recognise the achievements of Asians in the field of music.

The award ceremony was hosted at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

A R Rahman in Billboard Hot 100 Singles

Jai Ho- is the tune that most Indians are singing after the recent culmination of the Oscars. Ever since the musical genius A R Rahman made double win at the Oscars, the entire Indian music scene has been put on the international map of tunes.

Though Rahman has been felicitated by the industrywallas, how many of the commoners have heard of him? This was the exact question that has been answered with the recent announcement of the Billboard Hot 100 list of songs. The musical maestro made another first as he was voted as the first Indian musician to be listed at the 15th place of the Billboard Hot 100 Singles.

This comes after the recent release of the A R Rahman & The Pussycat Dolls Featuring Nicole Scherzinger. This has quickly moved the single from 100th place to 15th place on the Billboard charts.

Brand Value of A R Rahman rises to Rs 10 crore

The Oscar win for sure has given A R Rahman a global platform for his music. And not only this, he has also shot up his market price to a throbbing Rs 10 crore.

According to reports, A R Rahman has recently bagged an endorsement from Apple worth Rs 10 crore. It is believed that Rahman is being offered the same amount by a lot of international firms, making him the most sought-after celebrity in the ad world.

There is also great speculation about Rahman bagging big offers from American MNCs and Rahman is expected to close the deals on his forthcoming trip to LA.

People close to Rahman suggest that he has definitely refused to accept a few offers too as he didn’t feel good for those brands. And this will definitely help him to maintain his brand value.

Jai Ho- becomes Political Campaign Song

As the Elections are nearing up, the battle for votes is heating up and up. For every election political figures keep turning to the famous filmi folk to lend support to their campaign. However, this time, the Films-Politics connection has gone to a new level altogether.

With the recent sweep at the Oscars and the final rise to fame by music maestro A.R. Rahman, the song- Jai Ho -from Slumdog Millionaire has become a global hit. And just recently, Congress has officially acquired the rights to use the song for their election campaign.

The cartoonist Satish Acharya gives here a funny take on how the political party might want to alter the song to push their leader with their campaign. Something which is a challenge for even the Oscar winner Rahman, looking at the stunted expression of his caricature.

Over and all, it can be said that films always help gain publicity, even for the politicians.