'Slumdog' shines with 8 Oscars: 2 for Rahman, one for Pookutty

Los Angeles, Feb 23 (PTI) "Slumdog Millionaire", the
rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller, had a golden
run at the Oscars Monday sweeping eight awards with two going
to music maestro A R Rahman, the first Indian to achieve the
historic feat.

43-year-old Rahman bagged Oscars for Original Score in
the film, named the best at the 81st Academy Awards, and along
with veteran lyricist Gulzar also won the Best Song award for
the foot-tapping number 'Jai ho'.

"Before coming here I was excited and terrified. The
last time I felt that way was when I was getting married," a
beaming Rahman, dubbed as 'Mozart of Madras', said in his
acceptance speech as he became the first Indian to win an
Oscar in the mainstream section and the third after Bhanu
Athaiya (costume design, 1983) and Satyajit Ray (lifetime
achievement, 1992).

"The film is about optimism and the power of
hope...all my life I had a choice of hate and love. I chose
love and I'm here," Rahman, clad in a black suit, said about
the low-budget movie based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's
novel "Q & A".

Kerala-born sound engineer Resul Pookutty notched up
an Oscar for Sound Mixing while Briton Danny Boyle was
adjudged the Best Director.

"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," Gulzar said in Mumbai.

"My first reaction was surprise and thrill but as soon
as the programme started my bet was on Rahman. I am very happy
for Resul."

After Steven Spielberg announced the best film award
for "Slumdog Millionaire", most of the team members went up
the stage amid thunderous applause.

Several of the child actors of the film were the
cynosure of all eyes at the pre-Oscars red carpet parade,
overawed by the glitter and glamour, a far cry from the Mumbai
slums.

Rahman performed a medley of 'Jai ho' and 'O saya'
assisted by dancers and singer John Legend and left the
audience at the packed Kodak Theater awe-struck.

"Bollywood dancing should become the rage in Hollywood
and I must take up some (Bollywood) dancing lessons myself,"
Amy Adams, nominated for the Best Supporting Actress, said at
the post-Oscar party.

Simon Beaufoy picked up the best Adapted Screenplay
and Anthony Dod Mantle the best Cinematography award for
"Slumdog Millionaire" which also bagged the honours for Best
Editing.

Rahman dedicated his Oscars to god and his mother
Kareema Begum, who was seated among the audience here.

"There is a Hindi dialogue 'mere pass ma hai' which
means even if I have got nothing I have my mother here. I want
to thank her for coming all the way to support me," he said.

"Slumdog Millionaire" edged past Brad Pitt-starrer
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", which had 13
nominations. The film won three Oscars.

In all, 25 Oscars were announced Monday.

Kate Winslet won Best Actress Oscar for her role as a
Nazi prison guard in "The Reader" while Sean Penn was awarded
the best Actor Oscar his portrayal of a gay-rights activist
for "Milk".

Heath Ledger bagged the Oscar posthumously for best
Supporting Actor for his diabolic role of 'Joker' in "The Dark
Knight".

Penelope Cruz picked up her first Oscar as she was
named the Best Supporting Actress for the role in "Vicky
Cristina Barcelona".

The Oscar statuette, which depicts a knight holding a
crusader's sword and standing on a reel of film, stands 13.5
inches tall and weighs in at a robust 8.5 pounds. The film
reel features five spokes, signifying the five original
branches of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:
actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers. PTI ZMN
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