Malaysians inspire Rahman

(Inset) Rahman taking questions during the press conference at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday. (Above) Rahman giving a soulful performance during the ‘AR Rahman Infinite Love Live In Concert’ in Stadium Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur, in 2014. — filepic

OSCAR-winning South Indian music composer A.R. Rahman has described his Malaysian fans as the most inspirational.

This, he said, was based on the grand welcome he received every time he visited Malaysia.

Apart from the large crowds at his concerts, the internationally acclaimed composer was also impressed with the hundreds of fans who had waited for him at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur, where he met the media last Saturday.

Rahman said he was also greeted by hundreds of fans on his arrival at KL International Airport earlier that day.

“Whenever I am down, I think of you people and it gives me a lot of inspiration,” he said at a press conference.

Rahman, who won the Oscar for Best Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, is in Kuala Lumpur to promote his live concert to be held at Stadium Merdeka on May 14.

This will be his third time performing in Malaysia and he has promised to sing more Tamil numbers.

Rahman said he had performed many Hindi numbers in his last concert here two years ago.

“I will bring along many young talents to add more energy to the concert.

Rahman taking questions during the press conference at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur last Saturday.

“As I am getting older, it is time to give more opportunity for younger artistes to show their talents,” said the 49-year-old star, popularly known as Isai Puyal (musical storm) among his fans.

When asked how he finds inspiration for his compositions, Rahman said his most productive time of the day was between 3am and 6am. “I sleep until 3pm,’’ he said.

Rahman’s latest project is Pele: Birth of a Legend, a biopic on the life of the Brazilian football legend.

Rahman said he was honoured to be given the opportunity to compose music for the movie.

“This is a very interesting project – composing music for a movie on one of the world’s greatest footballers,” he said.

The A.R. Rahman live concert, organised by Black Horse Movie (M) Sdn Bhd, is expected to attract more than 15,000 fans.

Tickets are priced from RM109 to RM699. To purchase, call 03-8080 8700 or go to http://live-myticket-asia.time.ly/