A R Rahman overtakes Ilaiyaraaja in National Awards race

Music director A R Rahman has won the awards for both Best Music Direction and Best Background Score at the 65th National Film Awards, which were announced in New Delhi today.

With these awards, Rahman has now taken his total tally of National Awards to six while Ilaiyaraaja has a tally of five National Awards.

The Mozart of Madras won the award for Best Music direction for his songs in the film Kaatru Veliyidai while he won the award for Best Background Score for his work in actress Mom, which featured Sridevi in the lead.

To add to the joy, the singer of the song Vaan from Kaatru Veliyidai, Shashaa Tirupati, won the award for the Best Female Singer. Eminent singer K J Yesudas won the award for the Best Male Singer. This will be his eighth National Award.

Aditi Rao Hydari, who played the female lead in Kaatru Veliyidaai, took to Twitter to express her joy.

She said, “Happy news comes in. Many many many many congratulations @arrahman Sir, you’re a genius…
@sashasublime big hug for this much deserving accolade. #Vaan will always be my favourite!Best news I’ve heard all day for my special #KaatruVeliyidai #NationalFilmAwards.”