'Finished scoring music for Spielberg's film'

CHENNAI: Entering his 20th year in films, AR Rahman seems as invincible as ever with important Tamil, Hindi and Hollywood projects lined up. Just ahead of his 46th birthday (on Friday), the highly accomplished and admittedly reticent musician gets talking about his films, social networking, songs he likes and more

.In 2011, no Tamil film had your music. Why this break?  Your fans are a 

disappointed lot.Yeah, but this was because my films scheduled for the year in Tamil are getting delayed. This year, I am working on four films (in India). Are you part of Mani Ratnam’s next film Pookadai and Rajini’s Kochadayaan? I don’t know if that is the name of Mani sir’s film, and I do not want to talk about it because he is himself tight-lipped about his projects. As for Kochadayaan, I am part of the project, and details about the songs to be composed for the film are still being discussed. Is it true that you are composing music for Gautham Vasudev Menon’s Neethane En Ponvasantham? No, I am working on his film Yohan Adhiyayam Ondru (with Vijay as the lead). Also, I have already composed music for the Hindi version of Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya (Ek Deewana Tha), including a song sung by me, which isn’t there in the Tamil version.Tell us about your Hollywood film welcome the People, which is being produced by Steven Spielberg? I have already finished scoring music for the film more than three-four months ago. Welcome the People is being directed by Alex Kurtzman. He is an important person in Hollywood. Has some recent song caught your attention?(Long pause) I have a bad memory, I can’t remember any. Kolaveri is very nice and people know that. Are you also working for a film by Bharatbala, who has done popular projects like Vande Mataram and Jana Gana Mana with you? I’m definitely doing his film, but he is still finalising the script. So, we don’t have details about it. What do you think about using social networking to popularise music? I do not post unnecessary things about me on Facebook like, ‘I am going to the bathroom’. I use it for a purpose and when I do, I make it a point to see the comments.You will turn 46 on January 6. What is your plan for the 

 day?  Will you spend it here?I will be out of town then. Pardes. That's all.