Mozart of Madras, A.R.Rahman is no new-bee to being nominated for an Oscar. The music maestro has won two Oscars in 2009 for the film 'Slumdog Millionaire' for Best Original Score and Best Original Song and now an ensemble of students, A.H. Kaashif, Jerry Silvester Vincent and N. D Santhosh, from A.R.Rahman’s music academy, KM Music Conservatory has been shortlisted for the Best Original Song at the 2018 Academy Awards.
The three numbers shortlisted from the Hollywood film 'Lake of Fire' are 'I'll Be Gone', 'Have You Ever Wondered' and 'We’ll Party All Night'. Fathima Rafiq, Director of KM Conservatory and sister of Rahman said, “Being the beginning of the 10th year of KM Academy, I feel so happy and blessed to know that our students’ compositions have been shortlisted for 90th Oscars. We sent 3 songs and the background score of the movie. We were surprised to know that all are shortlisted. The director Raj Thiruselvan was very encouraging and he was mentioning that we would go to Oscars and Grammy all the time during the recording. His positive words have brought us to this level.”
She also added, “My brother and principal Dr. A.R.Rahman is the man behind this success. He wanted to give a platform to the younger generation and also made it through the production company Qutub E Kirpaa. This is the beginning and we are hoping we will get more opportunities and success by the grace of God.”
Apparently, A.H Kaashif is Rahman’s nephew and Fathima’s son. About this, she said, “Kaashif did the number ‘I’ll Be Gone’ which is a love song and the melody was very smooth. Riangali Bowmick has sung the song. Kaashif always comes and asks me to hear the tune once he composes. I give him the feedbacks. This opportunity was director Raj’s choice. He heard the Po Po single of him and he insisted Kaashif does one song in this movie.”
We can't wait to see Rahman walk up that red carpet and receive yet another one of those shiny gold awards to get home.