Text Credits: Sreelakshmi Chandran

Sikkim government has announced its new brand ambassador, the legendary music composer A R Rahman. The state government had earlier  made Rahman the brand ambassador of tourism and business. In a notification issued by the chief secretary A K Srivastava, Rahman will promote the interests of the state both nationally and globally.

Source: deccanchronicle.com

The government of Sikkim has extensively promoted tourism. With its natural beauty it has attracted and has become a world famous Eco-tourism center of India. As a result, the state revenue has increased 14 times since the mid-1990s. Sikkim has evidently invested more in the field of gambling, promoting both casinos and online gambling. The state’s first casino opened in march 2009 and the government subsequently issued a number of additional casino licenses and online sports betting licenses.

Rahman, the legendary music composer, songwriter and music producer is excited about this announcement. He has been working in Indian film industries, international cinema, and theater. Rahman is one of the best-selling recording artists, with an estimated 200 million units sold. In a notable two-decade career, he has been acclaimed for redefining contemporary Indian film music and contributing to the success of several films. Rahman has also become a notable humanitarian and philanthropist, donating and raising money for a number of causes and charities. He is notable for his works  Roja, Rang De Basanti, Swades, Slumdog millionaire among so many others.

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Text Credits: Shibul Pavithran    

Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker Majid Majidi, known for social realism in festival favourites such as Children of Heaven and Baran, might have travelled far from home for his latest venture, Beyond the Clouds, but his spirit of storytelling survives the jet lag. The film stars Ishaan Khatter and Malavika Mohanan and was shot extensively in Mumbai, will be released April 20th, across theatres in India.

The film revolves around two siblings, living in the Dhobi Ghat and going about their lives, when suddenly tragedy strikes. From hiding a pack of drugs to a gruesome arrest, leading to the struggle to break free, which seems to be the main crux of the film. After we watched the 2:16 minute trailer, our hearts were forced to feel the emotions of the relationship between Ishaan and Malavika’s character, but in the bargain the story seemed to miss our attention. One second watch, it’s easier to understand the plot that revolves around the want to make quick money and a boy who gets himself involved with a dangerous drug cartel to earn a quick buck.

It is highly unsubtle and impassioned Mumbai melodrama where Majid takes an unexpected leaf from the Bollywood book in his first step towards Indian cinema.  However, it is inevitable to draw a comparison between the feel of Beyond the Clouds and Slumdog Millionaire.

Source: youtube

Mumbai city also plays a very central character in the movie. Cinematographer Anil Mehta’s (Secret Superstar, Lagaan, Veer-Zaara) lens glides, soars and dips through the dingy streets and jungle like structures with adequate majesty and filth, making it look raw and beautiful at the same time. The film pays tribute to this sleepless city, like countless films have done before — Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s classic 1989 film on the underworld, Parinda; Mani Ratnam’s 1995 inter-faith love story Bombay, Ram Gopal Verma’s Satya, and more recently, Anand Gandhi’s 2013 debut film, Ship of Theseus. Beyond the Clouds stands to join this impressive list on an equal race.

Also the music is composed by A.R Rahman and has a very entertaining and magnetic feel to it.  The film certainly has many factors that make it a must watch!

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January 6th, 2015 marks A.R. Rahman’s 48th birthday! A music legend, an internationally acclaimed music composer, a double Oscar winner and an inspiration to us all, he is undoubtedly one of India’s most renowned icons.If there is one word that can be used to describe A. R. Rahman, it has to be genius.

As a kid, he was seen in Doordarshan’s Wonder Balloon where he got popular for being the kid who could play 4 keyboards at once.

Image source: twitter

A. R. Rahman’s Biography.

Penguin Publishers came up with A. R. Rahmans first biography but Rahman refused to accept it.

Image source: news18

A street in Markham, Ontario, Canada, has been named in his honor in November 2013.

Image source: wiki

 Rahman and his son, Ameen share the same birth date, that is 6th January!

Image source: Hindustantimes

 Apart from Slumdog Millionaire, Rahman has provided great scores for other Hollywood movies such as 127 Hours and Lord Of War.

Image source: timesofindia

 Among his awards are four National Film Awards, two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe, fifteen Filmfare Awards and sixteen Filmfare Awards South.

Image source: zeenews

In 2009, Time magazine added him to its list of World’s Most Influential People!

Image source: fulloncinema

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