I almost got killed by love A R Rahman on life after the Oscars
By Subhash K Jha Posted On Friday, February 27, 2009 at 02:11:42 AM What was the most exhilarating moment during the whole Oscar experience? For me, those six kids from Slumdog Millionaire, who belong to a humble part of our own Mumbai; walking the red carpet with the highest-paid Hollywood stars at the Oscars was the highest moment. That to me was the truest display of the democratic spirit. Compared with that, my getting the Oscars is inconsequential. These kids didnt even have a birth certificate in the first place but got their passports and visas within three days. Thats the real miracle. I would like to hand it to Danny Boyle and the producers for looking out for those kids. l When did you return ? I came back to Chennai on Thursday morning and couldnt believe what I saw. There were 5000-6000 people waiting for me at the airport. Everyone wanted to touch me, shake hands with me. I almost got killed by love. Now that I am home with my children, I feel strangely calm and euphoric. My mother, sister and wife were with me at the Oscars, but not my kids. To see you holding those two Oscars was a wonderful historic moment. It was, wasnt it? Earlier we missed it. Each time I would see those disappointed Indian faces after the Oscars, I wished that someone would go and get it for us. This time we cracked it. Resul Pookutty and I getting the Oscar have brought India into the centre of the popular culture. Thats a big high for me. I only wish Gulzar saab and Sukhwinder were there to share the moment with me. Why werent they there? I wanted Gulzar saab to be there. The producers had sent him a ticket, but he hurt his shoulder and had to cancel the ticket. Anyway they called out Gulzar saabs name on stage. I felt good about that. Were you surprised by the two Oscars? I was numbed. 20 seconds after the announcement, I had to run backstage, get into my costume, put on my headset and perform like a rock star. To do all this gracefully was quite an achievement. I was sure, I wouldnt get two Oscars. I just thought performing on stage was a great honour. But the funniest part was, while rehearsing at the Kodak Theatre, every time they would do the mock announcements, they would call out everyones names as winners except me. That made me sure I wasnt getting the Oscars. I was prepared to clap for others. So when my name was announced, the joy was double. When the first Oscar was announced, I never dreamt I would get a second one, though the second one was more predictable. Everyone out there loves Jai ho. Would you say the Oscars are the highest moment of your life as an entertainer? No. A year ago, I underwent a spiritual experience, which was far greater than all this glory can ever be. It happened during one of my pilgrimages. It made me calm. So all the good stuff that happened to me after Slumdog was like an offshoot of the experience I have had last year. My music is an extension of my spiritual aspirations. How do you look back on the last two months? I didnt expect the BAFTA. I thought the British had a different taste. But the impact of the movie and music is all-pervasive. Suddenly you have become one of them. In LA and Hollywood, I felt the same way as a guy coming from a small town of India feels in Mumbai. But once I got to know them well, I found them as human as any ordinary person. Slumdog has impacted everyones life so much. I am looking at a couple of projects in Hollywood. I have to be very careful what I choose. I dont want to end up as a one-hit wonder. How much time will you spend in the US now? 50 per cent of the year I might be there, the rest over here. Before I accept some offers there, I need to stay put in the US for some time. To do so, I might have to leave some movies in India. http://www.mumbaimirror.com/article/30/200902272009022702114281018bd041d/I-almost-got-killed-by-love
