Rahman has a go at the Oscars

Although the Oscars eluded Lagaan's music in 2001, this year A R Rahman has enough reasons to celebrate. To begin with, three of his songs have made it to the Oscars shortlist of 56 songs.

Rahman says, "They've short-listed 56 songs, of which three – Khalbali and Lukka chuppi (Rang De Basanti) and Chan-chan (Water) – are mine. I think the way they look at our films and music abroad has completely changed now. There's a lot more respect for what we do. They don't think of us as dancing around trees anymore." Rahman chose the three songs for the Oscars on his own. He says, "I chose Luka chuppi because of Lataji. She's the pride of the nation. I don't know what the outcome would be but it's a big honour to be there."

Come January 6, and Rahman will turn 41. "From my childhood, I was surrounded by adults, I never got a chance to enjoy being a child. By the time I realised what I was missing, I was no longer young. Now I'm re-living my childhood through my three children. If I'm able to give them everything that I couldn't afford, they too are giving me back something vital."