“I like everything,” AR Rahman stated when I asked him to identify his favourite track from this week’s release, Jodhaa Akbar. India’s biggest and best music composer provides the music for the Aishwarya Rai-Hrithik Roshan historical romance. The shy musical genius was unable to name a specific number as his favourite when I insisted. After a thoughtful pause, Rahman replied again: “I like everything.”

The ‘Mozart from Madras’ was in London this week to launch the original cast recording CD of his latest international project, the West End musical, The Lord of the Rings. This is his second London West End project after the successful Andrew Lloyd Webber production, Bombay Dreams. How does Rahman feel about his global success? “It’s nice to be recognised from brand Bollywood to international composer.”

Matthew Warchus, director of the Rings musical, is clearly pleased with the Elizabeth composer. He told me at the reception that he would “happily work with Rahman on anything” as he has “an extraordinary musical voice.” Varttina, the co-composer of the music, was less knowledgeable when I asked him if he liked any of Rahman’s Tamil music. “That question is too specific for me,” the Finn admitted.

Fans new to Rahmans’ work should seek out the classic Hindi soundtracks of Roja, Bombay, and Dil Se and, of course, the melodic Jodhaa Akbar, now!

It’s not a historical

The wait is over! The aforementioned Jodhaa Akbar, the year’s most anticipated film, is here. The period romance tells the love story between the Moghul emperor Akbar and his Rajasthani Hindu princess bride, Jodhaa. Oscar nominated director Ashutosh ‘Lagaan’ Gowarikar is keen to deny that his latest film is a historical film. “Let it be clear that it is not a historical film. It is a good story told in an interesting manner. I’d say eighty percent is my imagination.” Is Gowarikar being defensive because recent Bollywood historicals like The Rising and Taj Mahal crashed at the box-office?

The air-miles king

Does Shah Rukh Khan ever stop flying? The self-admitted hyperactive workaholic was in Berlin last weekend to attend a special sold out screening of his blockbuster, Om Shanti Om. He then nipped back to Mumbai in order to recite some poetry for the soundtrack of his director friend Samar Khan’s film, Shouriya. The King Khan is now zooming back to his favourite city London where he will be the star attraction at this weekend’s annual Zee TV Carnival. What a jetsetter!

Beauty queen angels

The latest Hollywood flick to get the Bollywood makeover will be Charlie’s Angels. It’s a possible casting coup as two former Miss Universes and a former Miss World, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra are rumoured to be playing the action angels. Produced by the DVD rip-off kings Abbas-Mustan, the film will be directed by flop director Rohit Jugraj. “Yes, it’s a Charlie’s Angels styled girls action flick,” the James director confirmed. This is not the first time Bollywood has adapted Charlie’s Angels. Remember the Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi and Shabana Azmi potboiler Ashanti, from the 1980s?

A holy makeover

Sex kitten Mallika Sherawat is back in the news with claims of a new international project. After her blink and you will miss it role in the Jackie Chan starrer The Myth, which flopped in India and failed to get a UK release, Sherawat will be seen in The Aquarian Gospel. The historical film is based on the early life of Jesus and Sherawat plays Saraswati, one of his loyal friends he meets in his travels in India. Fans of the scantily clad actress will be disappointed: she is fully clothed in the film.

Triple delight

Congratulations to Om Shanti Om director Farah Khan who gave birth to triplets at Mumbai’s Jaslok hospital on Monday. Two girls and boy were delivered by caesarean section. The proud parents, who look like twins, are in bliss. Hubby Shirish Kunder beamed: “I am feeling on top of the world now!” Suggested names for the two girls include Karen and Leela, whilst the boy will obviously be called Rahul.

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