Rahman, Pookuty, child artists return home to heroes' welcome

Mumbai/Chennai, Feb 26 (PTI) India's sound magicians A
R Rahman and Resul Pookuty and the child actors of the
multiple Oscar-winning film "Slumdog Millionaire" returned
home Thursday to a heroes' welcome as cheering family members,
fans and well-wishers lined up the airports to fete them.

Rahman, who became the first Indian to win two Oscars,
arrived at the Chennai airport from Dubai by an Emirates
Airways flight around 2.30 am IST.

Arriving to the chants of 'Jai ho', the award winning
song of "Slumdog Millionaire", by his fans and well-wishers,
Rahman said he was completely overwhelmed and touched by the
rousing reception.

"They (fans) almost killed me with their love," he
said in a lighter vein.

Pookutty along with "Slumdog Millionaire" actor Irrfan
Khan arrived at the Mumbai airport and were garlanded by
enthusiastic fans amid beating of drums.

On the other hand, the child actors of the film
reached Chhatrapati International Airport by a British Airways
flight from Los Angeles via London at 11.45 am and were given
a rousing welcome by family and friends.

Rahman said "it (winning two Oscars) is not the climax
of my career... it is a starting point for making a lot of
difference in music and in the way people think about music."

A festive atmosphere prevailed at the Chennai airport
where Rahman was treated to a musical reception by his friend
and popular percussionist, Sivamani, who played the drum.
Kerala's "Kottu Melam" (percussion instrument) artistes also
gave a performance in his honour.

In Mumbai, the euphoric scenes outside the airport
made Kerala-born Pookutty say "I never expected such a grand
welcome. This award is a gift for every Indian."

He recalled he had "blacked out" when the honour was
announced at the ceremony in Los Angeles. "I was completely
blacked out. I didn't know how to react. I took me a while to
come into my senses and speak about what I spoke," he said.

On the other hand, the kids, including Azharuddin
Mohammed and Rubina Ali, came out amid heavy security and were
whisked away by the representatives of FoxStar (which had
arranged their travel to the US) in four cars.

Seven-year-old Azharuddin, resident of Behrampada, a
slum along the suburban Bandra railway track, was the first to
reach home, where his neighbours erupted in joy on seeing him.

They burst fire crackers and lifted him and danced to
the tune of 'Jai ho', the popular song from the Danny
Boyle-directed film that won eight Oscars. PTI TEAM
PMR
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