Over 35,000 fans experienced a night to remember as Indian superstar composer AR Rahman delivered a stunning visual and musical extravaganza at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium. Organised by Star Planet, the concert ran for three hours and forty minutes and featured top-class singers. The concert was also attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whom AR Rahman praised for his approachable demeanour, describing him as a “simple man“, and Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Datuk R. Ramanan.
Star Planet, having successfully organised nearly 150 world-class concerts, marked their first World Tour show featuring an Indian superstar with this event. AR Rahman, supported by renowned artists like Shweta Mohan, Shuba Vedula, Shakthisree Gopalan, Srinivas, Mano, and rising stars, delivered a breathtaking performance. Highlights included a stunning rendition of his 90s hit “Chandralekha” by Shuba, and other memorable tracks from his illustrious career, such as “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” and classics from films like “Bombay” and “Padayappa”.
From the outset at 8:25pm, fans were treated to a succession of great songs, ranging from top hits of the 90s, tracks from the last decade, and songs from his recent movies “Raayan” and “The GOAT Life”. Dubbed the “Mozart of Madras,” the talented maestro kicked off the night by delivering his Oscar-winning anthem, “Jai Ho,” from “Slumdog Millionaire” alongside leading female playback singers Shweta, Shakthisree, and Shubaa.
The maestro continued with iconic hits from the 90s, such as “Kannalane” from “Bombay” (1995), “Thillana Thillana” from “Muthu” (1995), “Enna Solla Pogirai” from “Kandukondain Kandukondain” (2000), and “Minsara Poove” from “Padayappa” (1999). One of the show’s highlights was definitely the rendition of the musician’s hit 90s song “Chandralekha,” sung by Shuba, accompanied by an excellent dance troupe.
The evening also featured performances by popular Tamil and veteran singer Mano, who rendered “Mukkala Mukkabla” from the 1994 film “Kadhalan”. Songs from AR Rahman’s compositions for the movies “Thiruda Thiruda” and “Muthu” were also performed.
Singers Srinivas and Swetha then performed a notable number from the 1999 film “Padayappa”. Additionally, the Indian Maestro showcased his meta band project, “Secret Mountain,” a virtual realm integrating music, animation, and interactive storytelling. The concert also featured some of his latest hits, including “Periyone En Rahmane” from “Aadujeevitham – The Goat Life” and a song from actor Dhanush’s upcoming film,”Raayan.”
While the concert featured predominantly Tamil songs, the music composer also left the crowd crooning to his evergreen Hindi songs such as “Taal Se Taal Mila’ from “Taal” (1999) and “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from “Dil Se” (1998). He also dedicated the “Kappaleri Poyaach”‘ song from “Indian 1” as a tribute to veteran actor Kamal Haasan’s “Indian 2,” which is currently screening in cinemas. AR Rahman was the music composer for “Indian 1,“ while Anirudh Ravichander was the music director for the sequel.
The musician’s son Ameen also joined him on stage, rendering his father’s iconic hits such as “Mustafaa Mustafaa“ from “Kadhal Desam” (1996). 58-year-old AR Rahman, debuted as a music composer in Mani Ratnam’s film, “Roja,” in 1992, which gave him his first National Award for best music direction.
Four years later, he performed his very first concert here at the Shah Alam Stadium, and the AR Rahman Live in Kuala Lumpur 2024 concert was the maestro’s seventh concert in Malaysia.
He has won two Oscars, two Grammys, a Golden Globe, a Bafta, and six National Awards throughout his musical career that spans over 30 years. And, as in the past, the music maestro once again delivered a show to his many fans—a performance that will not be forgotten for a long time and will be cherished always.
Jade Mary contributed to this article.
