Slumdog Oscar

It's time to party, Slumdoggy style! India has arrived, ladies and gentlemen. There's no point denying it now! Slumdog Millionaire, the feel good drama about a Mumbai tea boy, has put the Indian film industry on the global entertainment map. Two Oscars for India's finest modern musician! The Mozart of Madras bagged two of the coveted statuettes for Original Score and Best Song for Jai Ho, penned by Gulzar. What a night to remember. India at the Oscars will never be looked at the same. It is written, isn’t it?

"There is a dialogue from an old Hindi film - 'मेरे पास माँ हैं' - which means I have nothing but a mother. My mother is here, I have her blessings. I am glad she could be here," said Rahman after receiving Oscar for best original score. He ended the acceptance speech by saying 'Ella pughalum iraivanuke ',in Tamil ( read 'All glory and fame is to God'), something he says after winning every award. "I want to thank everyone. The essence of this film is optimism and hope. All my life I had a choice between hate and love. I chose love and I am here," said Rahman after receiving his second golden statuette. You've made all of India proud!
Out of the ten Oscars that it was nominated for, Slumdog Millionaire swept eight Oscars which included a double Oscar for music maestro A R Rahman, Best Director for Danny Boyle and Best Sound Mixing for India's Resul Pookutty. 36-year-old Resul Pookutty created history by becoming the first Indian to bag the Oscar for Best Sound mixing. Pookutty shared the Oscar with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke for their collaborative work for the film. "This is unbelievable. I share this stage with two magicians...I dedicate this award to my country, this is not just an award, it is history", Pookutty said while accepting the award.

Minutes after ceremony, SP Balasubramaniam said, "I feel as though I have got this award. I know this boy (ARR) from his childhood and I am really proud of him. The entire country is proud of him. There is a lot everyone can learn from him."

"It is a great thing to be a part of this composition which has won an award. It is an extra happiness and extra thrill for me. What a film and what a team to work with. The spirit of the film is reflected in its team," Gulzar, who penned the Oscar-winning song Jai Ho.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar hailed Rahman saying, "May he win such an award every year. He is a genius. Rahman's music is a blend of a little South Indian music and what we commonly call Hindi film music."

Veteran singer Asha Bhonsle, who has sung for Rahman in many films, said, "Rahman is a genius and has made the world sit up and take notice of Indian talent with his success. He has put the Indian film industry on the world map."

Percussionist Sivamani, who has closely worked with the maestro since the very beginning, said," It is wonderful. Rahman has made every Indian proud. He deserves each Oscar that he has won. He won it because of his talent, his dedication, his simplicity and humility. We all should be proud."

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi said, "I think it is not his best work. He has done much better work in the past but this will lead people in the West to look up to the other works that Rahman and India have done."

While director Bharat Bala who has worked with Rahman for years said, "I have known him for the past 25 years. He is the true slumdog millionaire, coming from a simple background and has reached here with sheer hard work, commitment and has achieved all this. His music has an emotion which penetrates to all people, Indian or whosoever they be. Only this time he has connected to a bigger audience."

Praising the team behind the Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire, Big B wrote in his blog, "I learn of the great achievements of our Indian technicians and music directors at the Oscars. My warmest and heartiest congratulations to AR Rahman and Resul for winning recognition in music and sound and to Gulzar for co-assisting Rahman in the lyric category. International recognition for Indian film talent on one of the most well-known and popular forums is the happiest day for Indians and the industry. The journey of Indian Cinema has been phenomenal. May it grow even bigger and greater."

Rahman Receiving Oscar Award:

Rahman @ back stage {Oscars}:

Rahman Smiling: