MUMBAI: There’s more to A R Rahman and Resul Pookutty’s triumphs at the 81st Academy Awards today than the golden statuettes and the glory that the duo will carry back home.
The long suffering Indian music industry appears to have found its succour of sorts in Rahman’s and Resul’s wins. A ‘historic win’ apart, music industry veterans here believe the Oscar win for the sound and music industry will open doors for Indian music overseas.
Says T-Series managing director Bhushan Kumar, “There was a jump in sales when Rahman won the Golden Globe awards and with the music winning at the Oscars, the sales are going to boom again as it is a historic achievement Apart from the physical sales, the digital music has also been garnering good response.” T-Series, which acquired the physical and digital rights of Slumdog Millionaire in India, had to initially convince the radio stations and retail outlets to promote the music, says Kumar. No longer
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“Earlier, the industry was being conservative in its approach for this unconventional music but now the opinions have changed. We have radio stations calling in to congratulate after the music won Oscars!” says a delighted Kumar.
T-Series had already acquired many Rahman titles in the past two years including Yuvvraaj, Jaane tu ya jaane na, Ghajini and Delhi 6 by the time the Slumdog Millionaire was readied. “As we have been acquiring all his films, Rahman himself approached us to acquire the rights. The deal was reasonably priced with a minimum guarantee amount and 50 per cent profit sharing between the label and Rahman,” says Kumar.
With Rahman fever on the rise, T-Series has already launched a three CD set of Rahman hits this week.
Times Music COO Adarsh Gupta believes Rahman’s and Resul’s awards are likely to open doors to the Indian style of music in the international markets. “It is a huge success for India and music internationally will have an Indian essence now for some time. Also, this will provide ample opportunities for our musicians to collaborate with overseas artistes, as many international mainstream artistes would look up to Indian musicians. There would be an Indian flavour in music abroad.”
In the domestic market too, Rahman’s equity in the music market is bound to increase, believes Bhushan Kumar. “With Rahman as a music composer achieving great heights, many music labels would be coming forward to acquire his forthcoming projects.” Kumar however likes to believe that T-Series would continue to be Rahman’s preferred option, considering the long run he has had with the label.
Indian Music Industry secretary general Savio D’Souza says, “It is a great achievement to win an Oscar for our music category and hope we garner much more in other categories as well. The award means there are many creative artistes in India and it is a great honour that international producers are willing to work with Indian artistes. This would further pave the path for many more musicians to work on international collaborations, but they have to prove their credentials in India to gain visibility internationally.”
Prior to getting into the composing scene, Rahman used to play in a band called ‘Roots’ with John Anthony, Raja and Sivamani. Anthony, who now plays the guitar for Karnatriix, says, “It’s going to be such a big global opening for Indian musicians. Now, if some Indian musician sends any of his demos, I am hoping that the labels will surely consider it and not throw them away.” But like most musicians and composers, Anthony also emphasises, “The Academy award has been long overdue, however, I am happy that he got the award for the ‘Best Original Score’.”
Renowned percussionist and one of Rahman’s close friends Sivamani says, “I am speechless, I just got a call from Rahman – his simplicity is praiseworthy – he really deserved these awards.” Sivamani, who was on his way to Mangalore for a concert for Mahashivratri added, “I am dedicating my drum solo tonight to Ma Shakti – she answered my prayers.”
Says Amit Trivedi, Composer of films like Dev D and Aamir, “Though it has opened many avenues for musicians in both the east and west, I don’t think it’s everybody’s cup of tea to achieve what Rahman did – it takes a lot of honesty and integrity.”
“Slumdog Millionaire is great, but it’s not his best…but I think the award was long overdue and he got that overdue through Slumdog Millionaire.”
“You’ll see some major collaborations happening in coming days,” he adds.
All the musicians that Rahman works with back in India are ecstatic at the win. Sanjeev Thomas, Guitarist, Rainbow Bridge who had played with Rahman on scores of films like Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na and Ghajini says, “This doesn’t come to me as a surprise at all.” In fact, Thomas was so confident about Rahman’s win, he says, “I was not even watching the award ceremony.”
