Oscar-winning Indian composer A.R. Rahman says he will not be collaborating with U&B star Usher and pop singer Dido for his next album but for a different project.
"I'm concentrating on my world tour right now and my work on the collaboration will start after it is over," said Rahman, who is rehearsing for his European performances in London.
International repute
Rahman, who has worked with music giants such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kylie Minogue, Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls and more than 60 international musicians, including Quincy Jones and Lionel Ritchie in a charity single, is touring the US and Europe as part of his Jai Ho Concert: The Journey Home World Tour concert.
The 44-year-old has already covered many places in the US, including New York, New Jersey, Washington DC and Chicago, among others. The next leg of the tour will be in Britain and various European countries.
Rahman, who shone on the global arena with his work in Slumdog Millionaire, which fetched him double Oscars, says he has put his Hollywood ventures on hold for the time being.
"I did get offers from a number of directors in Hollywood but right now I'm not taking anything because with the world tour happening, I don't have the time."
The composer, who cancelled the North American leg of the concert after a lighting rig collapsed in Detroit before the show, is rehearsing for his next tour, which includes concerts in Zurich, Paris, Amsterdam and London.
One of the most downloaded composers in Britain, Rahman will perform on July 23 at LG Arena in Birmingham, to be followed by shows in the two biggest arenas in London — O2 and Wembley on July 24 and July 25 respectively.
Apart from the Oscars, the ace composer, also known as "the Mozart of Madras", has won a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe and two Grammy awards.
Humble confession
Asked what makes him a global celebrity, Rahman said: "Well, it's tough for me to tell you what it is. I think it's just about the timing. First, Slumdog Millionaire happened, then all the awards followed and then one thing led to another."
Before making it big in the global arena, Rahman infused freshness into Indian film music with his compositions in Roja, Bombay, Rangeela, Lagaan and Jodhaa Akbar and his work was appreciated with four National Film Awards.
Back home, he has two projects to look forward to — the Pawan Kalyan-starrer Telugu film Puli and director Shankar's forthcoming Tamil science fiction Endhiran, which has Rajnikant and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in the lead roles.
When asked how he manages everything, the maestro said: "It is not such a problem. They go on simultaneously. Also, I have a very hardworking team, which is always there to help me."
