Rahman says he doesn't fear death

A. R. Rahman plans to be out of India for the longest period. And Bollywood filmmakers like Abbas Tyrewala and Mani Ratnam who have pending work with Rahman have pressed the panic button.

Rahman won't be available for film scores during most of 2010. "It's a very tough schedule for me this year," says Rahman. "I'll be out of the country for five months which I've kept aside completely for the word tour."

The concerts will take Rahman to places he has never been before. "I essentially need time for my music, spirituality and family. Everything else is secondary. We'll be going to remote places in Europe, the Far East and America. I'll be touring from this month (March 2010).This would be my longest tour ever and I'm not thinking of any other work."

Contrary to reports Rahman turned 43 (and not 44) on January 6. "I was born in 1967, so it's my 43rd birthday. I am an old man now. Do I feel older? It's a good feeling. I'm heading towards the place where all of us are destined to .You are born and then one day, you die. So my policy in life is to do what I want to do today, not tomorrow. If I want to do good things in life I better do them now."

Rahman says he doesn't fear death. "I think about death every day. Last year I lost a couple of very close friends. I've been watching people close to me die from the time I was a child. Very early I lost my father and my grandmother whom I was very close to. So death is always been with me. It's the only certainty in life."

Rahman admits time management is a problem. "But you have to prioritize your time and do what you must. For example I know I've to be away for five months this year. So it'd be foolish of me to commit myself to anything until I finish my concerts."

Rahman says it's a blessing to work out of his home. "My family is always around me. I think that's what keeps me creatively charged. When I travel I crave to return. My kids are growing up. It's important that they see their father regularly. Or they'll soon start calling me Uncle."

Rahman has just done soundtrack for Tamil film directed by Gautam Menon. "Then I've Mani Ratnam's Raavan and Abbas Tyrewala's 1-800-Love. Also Shekhar Kapoor's Paani which is a very important film. I've recorded one song for it. After the Grammys, I'll look at other international offers. But with the world tour on will I have the time?