Skip to main content

An Evening with A.R. Rahman: Stories and Music from His Career

This event has passed

For one night only on October 5, two-time Oscar-winning composer and songwriter A.R. Rahman will join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Vancouver International Film Festival for An Evening with A.R. Rahman: Stories and Music from His Career. The international superstar will provide a keynote and performance with the VSO at the Orpheum, with music spanning his legendary career composing for some of Hollywood and Bollywood’s biggest hits.

This special concert presented by the VSO and VIFF is part of an exciting new collaboration between the two organizations that celebrates the connection between music and film.

Reaching international acclaim in 2008 with his score for Slumdog Millionaire, A.R. Rahman’s live performance will be a celebration of sound and emotion. His works are notable for their seamless cultural integration of Eastern classical music with electronic music sounds, world music genres, and traditional orchestral arrangements.

A marquee event of VIFF and a highlight of the VSO season, An Evening with A.R. Rahman will share his life’s journey with fans through a new and custom-made presentation that blends storytelling and song. The legendary artist will invite audiences behind the scenes of his greatest works, sharing insights into his process and stories from his remarkable career. He will also perform segments of his scores live with the VSO, with clips from the fan-favourite films projected on the Orpheum’s big screen.

Concert repertoire to be announced soon.

 

Co-Presented by

Supported by

        

Artist
Date

Oct 5

Time

8:00 pm

Venue

Orpheum

90 min
U18 May Attend

Book Tickets

This event has passed.

Artist

A.R. Rahman headshot

A.R. Rahman

A.R. Rahman’s illustrious career has been adorned with a staggering list of achievements, making him a true luminary in the industry.

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.

His orchestral compositions have graced renowned orchestras like the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, Babelsberg Film Orchestra, and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre

Tough Old Broads

Dir. Stacey Tenenbaum
90 min

Tough Old Broads is a feature documentary that follows three trailblazing women as they continue to make waves well into their 70s. Because you can't keep a good woman down.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

The Voice of Hind Rajab

Dir. Kaouther Ben Hania
89 min

Mixing documentary and reenactment, this film powerfully evokes the desperate attempts of the Red Crescent to rescue a six year old child trapped in a car under Israeli military fire. Oscar nominee: Best International Film

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

The Chronology of Water

Dir. Kristen Stewart
128 min

Kristen Stewart's fearless directorial debut is based on the best-selling memoir by Lidia Yuknavitch (Imogen Poots), a chronicle of her abusive childhood, traumatized adulthood, and escapes through swimming, drugs, sex, and ultimately writing.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Montreal, ma belle

Dir. Xiaodan He
118 min

In this Valentine to discovering love later in life, the ever-elegant Joan Chen plays Feng Xia, a 53-year-old Chinese immigrant and mother in Montreal whose world is turned upside down when she meets and falls in love with a young Quebecoise.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre

2026 Oscar® Shorts (Animated)

Dir. Various
83 min

The nominees for Best Animated Short Film include The Girl Who Cried Pearls, a fable from Canadian filmmakers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, narrated by Colm Feore.

VIFF Centre - VIFF Cinema

Spring After Spring

Dir. Jon Chiang
78 min

Three daughters strive to live up to the standards set by their mother Marie Mimi Ho, and keep Vancouver Chinatown's Spring Parade going through thick and thin, in this enormously affectionate local documentary by Jon Chiang.

VIFF Centre - Lochmaddy Studio Theatre