Rahman feels akin to Slumdog's hero

Feb 19: A R Rahman, the music composer said that he identifies himself with Slumdog Millionaire's hero - the 18-year-old slum boy who overcomes hardships by winning a fortune on Indian version of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?'

Rahman, who has been nominated in the Oscars for the songs, "O ... Saya" and "Jai Ho", had to overcome numerous hurdles in his journey from hometown Chennai (formerly Madras) in south India to the Academy Awards.

But insists he takes life positively. CBS News quoted him as saying "I can relate to the film because I take life positively and feel that even after great depression something good will come out." Rehman began to support his family at the age of 11 as a keyboard player after his father's death. He joined Ilaiyaraaja's ensemble. Later he formed a rock band and toured with prominent Indian musicians like Zakir Hussain, the tabla maestro.

The 43-year-old Osacr nominee hopes that an Oscar win will make Western audiences more aware of contemporary Indian film music. "We have a different philosophy of approaching film music and I would say there's lots to give which I always wanted to happen," said Rahman. "We've been great fans of films of the West and we respect them so much and we also have certain qualities," he added.

Slumdog Millionaire movie's success have flooded Rehman with Hollywood offers, but he has no intention of abandoning Bollywood. "Both of them complement each other beautifully because I'm learning stuff from here and then giving it there and taking stuff from there and giving it here," Rahman said.

"India is going through this huge change in the whole vision of film making and I want to be a part of that change," he added.