AR Rahman’s first concert in Chennai, after winning the coveted Oscar award, took place yesterday (October 11th, 2009) at the Marg Swarnabhoomi on the East Coast Road, south of Chennai. This is one of the concerts that are a part of Rahman’s Jai Ho World Concert Tour.

The proceeds from this event will be used by Shakthi Foundation and Rahman Trust for the benefit of handicapped persons. The event witnessed a mega turn out, estimated to be 30,000. But the unofficial figure is said to be astronomical.

Hariharan’s rendition of ‘Thamizha Thamizha’ brought out the patriotic flavor from the crowd who were seen waving the Indian triclor all over. Several singers including Benny Dayal, Blaze and Sadana Sargam enthralled the audience with their singing. Rahman also took the mike to render his favorite songs, ‘Rehna Tu’ being one of them. ‘Adhiradhi’ from Sivaji augmented the frenzy of the crowd. Speaking at the event, the Oscar winner said that though Shakthi Foundation requested him to conduct a show in Chennai a long time ago, this seemed to be an opportune moment, especially after winning the Oscars.

Alim sung a full song in the English film Couples Retreat for which Rahman has composed the music. The film is a Hollywood romantic comedy directed by Peter Billingsley and stars Vince Vaughn, Kristen Bell and Jason Bateman in lead roles.

The young tot seems to be musically inclined, just like his Oscar-winning dad. The film is expected to release by the end of 2009.

A.R. Rahman, who is first Indian, won two Oscars, arrived at Chennai yesterday morning. His fans were gathered at the Chennai International Airport to welcome him. He met the press people in Chennai Vadapazhani Green Park hotel. But, he came to the hotel 1 hours late. Hundreds of press people were waiting for him. Finally he came at around 4.?O clock.

The following is the gist of that press meet:

Q : What would you do if you are offered MP post by the Central Government?

A : (Laughs) I don’t expect such an offer. I don’t need any powers like this..

Q : You have worked in Tamil, Hindi and English movies. In which you feel very comfortable?

A : As TAMIL is my mother tongue, I am comfortable more with Tamil Movies than others.

Q : Did you expect Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire?

A : Yes, It is a good movie with a completely different theme.

Q : What is your opinion about Danny Boyle?

A : He is a great director.

Q : Are you planning to work with him again?

A : I have not yet decided about that.

He also added that he is going to composer Thirukural and Kunankudi Masthan’s poetries. He assured to continue to compose music for quality Tamil movies. He also said that he is a music director and not planning to act as hero.

Endhiran is a forthcoming science-fiction film being directed by S. Shankar, who with Endhiran, directs his tenth feature film. The movie Production houses involved into this opulence project are Ayngaran International Pvt Ltd and Eros International. The music composed from A. R. Rahman would feature lyrics from Vairamuthu and Pa.Vijay, while Raju Sundaram will act as a choreographer to the songs. The film will be Cinematography by R.Ratnavelu. Art by Sabu Syril and Edited by Anthony.

Three world distinguished people who worked with many Hollywood block buster movies reveal their expertise for the first time in Tamil cinema and they are, Mary E Vogt who designed terrific scientific outfits for each character in Men IN Black (MIB), Batman Returns, and Inspector Gadget etc is to design our robot’s outfits. Stan Winston Studio (USA) who did animatronics for Predator, Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbour, Iron Man, Terminator and I-Robot is to make the same with Endhiran. Yuen Woo Ping handled stunt for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Matrix and Kill Bill is currently working for Endhiran. The location hunting team visited Vienna in Austria, Rio de Janeiro in Brazil and Hanoi in Vietnam to pick suitable locations.

The south Indian Superstar Rajinikanth’s Endhiran movie will be a tremendous hit in the Kollywood history expecting by the fans.