Discovery Channel is set to premiere ‘Jai Ho’, an exclusive 90-minute programme showcasing the spectacular journey of music maestro AR Rahman, spanning two decades and around 130 film scores, and his contribution to catapult Indian film music to the world stage.
Directed by National Award winner Umesh Aggarwal for the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, ‘Jai Ho’ will be aired by the Discovery Channel on Monday, 26 October at 9 pm. The Oscar-winning composer said initially, he did not find it “necessary” to have a documentary based on him, but later director Umesh Aggarwal convinced him.
“There were lot of offers before to do a documentary on me, but I felt it was not necessary. And after the Oscars and the brouhaha happened, I felt that people could get some kind of inspiration with my life through the journey of my life, through the way I’m making music,” Rahman said.
“And then Umesh, an award-winning filmmaker, contacted me and he said that initially it was only for the consulates all over. It was the kind of exposure which was good, but I didn’t know that all this would happen,” he added. However, the composer added that he “cannot watch myself”.
“People living abroad and having the Indian flag, they deserve to know about the people of India. I didn’t know it’ll come out charmingly like how it’s made. I cannot watch myself and hate to watch myself,” he said.
Aggarwal said that it’s the first “definite feature” on Rahman. “I am confident that this film will convey his astonishing success and global phenomenon,” he said. Shot across the world, the film includes interviews of Aamir Khan, Danny Boyle, Mani Ratnam, Gulzar, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Shekhar Kapoor, Subhash Ghai and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber among others.
Through ‘Jai Ho’, viewers will also get an access into his personal life and his journey right from his coming together with Mani Ratnam for ‘Roja’, his first ever commercial, his Bollywood debut with ‘Rangeela’ to his versatile and successful work in films like ‘Dil Se’, ‘Taal’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Lagaan’, ‘Highway’, ‘Rockstar’ and ‘Raanjhanaa’, amongst others.
Rahman’s name figures foremost in the world of music whenever and wherever India is mentioned. He gave the music in Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and bagged his first ever music Oscar for India. The program also offers the viewers a window into his personal life including emotional moments like leaving school at the age of nine, getting his first pay check, marriage and record celebrations and more. The viewers will directly hear the double Oscar and Grammy-winner talk about all this and more.
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific EVP and GM- South Asia Rahul Johri said, “Discovery Channel is delighted to offer viewers an inspiring program on the life and journey of the music legend AR Rahman. We are committed to present the comprehensive image of the enchanting India – its remarkable landscapes, achievements, culture and its laudable icons to viewers across the world.”
