| "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A NEW MUSICAL; WILL FEATURE A SCORE BY ACADEMY AWARD & GRAMMY AWARD WINNER A.R. RAHMAN | |
| Last Edit: Official_Press_Release 10:33 am EDT 11/01/24 | |
| Posted by: Official_Press_Release 10:31 am EDT 11/01/24 | |
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| THE ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING BEST PICTURE "SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE" BEING DEVELOPED INTO NEW MUSICAL FEATURING A SCORE BY ACADEMY AWARD & GRAMMY AWARD®-WINNING FILM INDUSTRY ICON A.R. RAHMAN SIGN UP FOR NEWS & UPDATES AT WWW.SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRETHEMUSICAL.COM New York, NY (November 1, 2024) – Today, Tony Award®-winning producer Ken Davenport announced that he has secured the rights to develop the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire into a new musical which will feature songs from the film including "Jai Ho" and new songs by Indian film industry icon A.R. Rahman who won two Oscars for his work on the 2008 film. A.R. Rahman said, "I'm incredibly excited to begin work on Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical. This reimagined version will take you on an electrifying journey with new songs and a few unexpected twists. We can't wait for you to experience it with us!" Producer Ken Davenport said, "My father, Kenny Dipchand Hasija, never talked much about growing up in India, until I took him to see Slumdog Millionaire. Immediately after the credits rolled, the stories, the love, and the pride of where he was from poured out of him. It was one of the closest moments we ever had. Right then and there, I vowed to one day find a way to bring our Indian culture to the stage, as a way to honor him, and people of Indian descent all over the world. I just never imagined that I'd be able to do that with that very film, and with A.R. Rahman himself! I'm so grateful that this beloved story has been entrusted to me, with a special thank you to Paul Smith at Celador." Slumdog Millionaire is an exhilarating modern-day fairytale following two brothers as they struggle to survive on the streets of Mumbai. As one brother is seduced into a life of crime, the other defies all odds and embarks on a once in a lifetime opportunity that captures the heart of a nation. The rapturously romantic film was released in 2008 and the following year won two Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Score for Rahman, and Best Song for "Jai Ho" written by Rahman with lyrics by Gulzar. The film is inspired by the award-winning Indian novel Q&A written by Vikas Swarup, with a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, directed by Danny Boyle, and score by Rahman. The film was produced by Celador Films in association with Film 4. When the motion picture premiered in late 2008, it was embraced by critics. As word of mouth and acclaim for the film spread, it became the surprise hit of 2009, having been produced for just $15 million, it went on to gross over $378 million internationally. Slumdog Millionaire is beloved by millions and still holds a 91% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The film spawned a hit soundtrack produced by Rahman which won two Grammy Awards and sold over 2 million copies worldwide. The English-language single "Jai Ho (You Are My Destiny)" sung by Rahman and The Pussycat Dolls featuring Nicole Scherzinger was a Top 20 Billboard hit in the U.S. and was a Top 10 hit in over 20 countries. Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical will be produced by Davenport in association with Celador International. Other members of the creative team and additional details about Slumdog Millionaire will be announced in the coming months. To sign up for more information, please visit www.slumdogmillionairethemusical.com. BIOGRAPHIES A.R. Rahman (Score). Renowned worldwide as A.R. Rahman, he stands as an iconic figure known for redefining Indian film and contemporary music. His illustrious career has been adorned with a staggering list of achievements, making him a true luminary in the industry. With a prolific body of work that spans across more than 160 film soundtracks and albums in over half a dozen languages, Rahman's compositions have touched the hearts of millions. His music has played an integral role in blockbuster movies such as Roja, Bombay, Dil Se, Taal, Lagaan, Vandemataram, Jodhaa Akbar, Ponniyin Selvan (I & II), Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, and countless more. Rahman's journey into music began at a tender age, leading him to compose jingles and scores for popular Indian television programs. In 1991, his collaboration with noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam on Roja propelled him to national stardom, earning him his first Indian National Award for Best Music Composer, a feat unprecedented for a debutant. Rahman has since claimed this prestigious honor five more times, setting a remarkable record in the industry. In 1997, Sony Music recognized Rahman's exceptional talent and signed him as its first South Asian artist to commemorate India's 50 years of independence. The result was Vande Mataram, an album that rekindled the spirit of patriotism and resonated with Indians across the globe. Rahman's global influence continued to soar when he collaborated with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on the musical Bombay Dreams, a departure from his usual composition projects. The show achieved immense success, running for two years in London's West End and later premiering on Broadway in New York City. In 2005, Rahman co-composed the stage production of The Lord of the Rings, one of the most ambitious stage productions ever undertaken. His music has transcended borders, featuring in international films such as The Lord of War, Inside Man, and The Accidental Husband. The iconic "Bombay Theme" from Bombay' has graced over 50 international compilations. Rahman's collaboration with Hollywood includes notable works like Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours, Pele, People Like Us, The Hundred Foot Journey, Messenger of God, Million Dollar Arm, and many more. The pinnacle of Rahman's global recognition arrived in 2008 with the astounding success of Slumdog Millionaire, earning him two Academy Awards, two Grammys, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA, among many other accolades. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the world of music, Rahman has received honorary doctorates from prestigious institutions like Trinity College of Music, Aligarh Muslim University, Anna University, Middlesex University, and the esteemed Berklee College of Music. Time Magazine also named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2009. Throughout his career, Rahman has collaborated with a diverse array of international artists, including U2, Mick Jagger in Super Heavy, Coldplay, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton, M.I.A., Vanessa Mae, The Pussycat Dolls, Sarah Brightman, Dido, Hossam Ramzy, Hans Zimmer, and Akon. His orchestral compositions have graced renowned orchestras like the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Babelsberg Film Orchestra, the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and in 2017 he was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony to create The Flying Lotus, all of which attest to his unparalleled diversity and influence in the world of music. Today, Rahman continues to inspire and nurture new talent through initiatives such as the All-Women Firdaus Orchestra, supported by UAE Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, and the A. R. Rahman Foundation, which aims to provide underprivileged children with music education. His vision also extends to promoting western classical music in India and establishing the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai. In addition to his musical pursuits, Rahman ventured into directing India's first-ever virtual reality movie, Le Musk, and co-wrote and produced 99 Songs, which premiered at the Busan International Film Festival. His incredible band recently celebrated two highly successful sold-out tours, in the USA in 2022, and in Europe in the year 2023. A. R. Rahman's extraordinary journey continues to be a testament to his boundless creativity and unwavering commitment to the world of music and beyond. Ken Davenport (Producer), born Kenneth Anjum Hasija, is a Tony Award-winning Broadway producer whose credits include A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (Broadway and North American Tour), Othello starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, Oh Mary!, Harmony: A New Musical written by Barry Manilow and Bruce Sussman, Once On This Island (Tony Award), Gettin' the Band Back Together, The Play that Goes Wrong, Groundhog Day (Tony nomination), Deaf West Theatre's Spring Awakening (Tony nomination), It's Only a Play, Macbeth starring Alan Cumming, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Broadway – Tony Award, North American Tour, Toronto, Australia, and West End), The Visit (Tony nomination), Mothers and Sons (Tony nomination), The Bridges of Madison County (North American Tour), Allegiance, Chinglish, Oleanna starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles, Speed-the-Plow, Will Ferrell's You're Welcome America (Tony nomination), Blithe Spirit starring Angela Lansbury (Broadway, West End, and North American Tour), and 13 The Musical. Off-Broadway, Davenport has produced The Play that Goes Wrong, Daddy Long Legs, Altar Boyz (co-conceiver), My First Time (author), The Awesome 80's Prom (creator). Davenport's productions have been produced internationally in over 25 countries around the world. Upcoming projects include The Griswolds' Broadway Vacation, Joy: The Musical, The Ten, Slumdog Millionaire: The Musical and a musical based on the life of Harry Belafonte. Davenport created the best-selling board game, Be A Broadway Star, one of the highest-ranking Broadway gifts on Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.kendavenport.com. Celador (Producer) The multi-award winning, Celador Films, founded by Paul Smith CBE, produced seven motion pictures from 2002-2010 including "Dirty Pretty Things" (2002) directed by Stephen Frears and written by Steven Knight (for which he received an Academy Awards ® nomination for Best Original Screenplay) and Neil Marshall's "The Descent" (2006) widely regarded as one of the best films in the horror genre. In 2008, Celador produced "Slumdog Millionaire" which, in 2009, collected seven BAFTAs, four Golden Globes® and eight Academy Awards® including Best Director for Danny Boyle and the coveted Best Picture accolade. |
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