Rahman has already won the hearts of music lovers with his crooning performance at the closing ceremony of Indian Premier League-III. It is still not sure whether he will perform on both the opening ceremony as well as the closing event due to his busy assignments with other projects. He had expertly quoted Rs 15 crore initially for event but group of ministers brought the amount Rs 5.5 crore, almost by a third of total amount.

Last year Rahman's concert was cancelled, which was scheduled to be held at India Gate on October 3, due to United Progressive Alliance government austerity drive and economic slowdown. This concert was organised to mark the one-year run-up to the games.

Games organising committee has been planning an extravagant event for the both opening and the closing ceremonies. It will cost Rs 146 crore. An Italian based firm will install special lighting for the event. The lights will be mounted on helium gas-filled balloon.

As the suggestion of culture committee headed by filmmaker Bharat Bala, Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has also built an additional tunnel under the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. As all ceremonies are going to be held in this stadium, performers are slated to emerge from the tunnel in a flower formation in the centre of the stadium's pitch.

For A R Rahman’s concert, there are pyrotechnic systems and the experts for a visual spectacle will create other special effects. The opening ceremony will begin right after the Queen's Baton is installed at the Nehru stadium. The Baton will reach India on June 25 through the Wagah border.