OSCAR FOR RAHMAN; POOKUTTY; SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

OSCAR FOR RAHMAN; POOKUTTY; SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

A R Rahman became the first Indian to win two Oscars for his scintillating music in "Slumdog Millionaire" which swept the Academy awards winning eight with one going to sound engineer Resul Pookutty.

"Slumdog Millionaire", a rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller, who goes on to win USD 20 million in a quiz show, was adjudged the best film.

It also fetched Danny Boyle the Best Director award, Simon Beaufoy best Adapted Screenplay and Anthony Dod Mantle the best Cinematography award. The film was also awarded for Best Editing.

The foot-tapping number 'Jai ho', with lyrics by Gulzar, was adjudged the Best Song.

Pookutty, who hails from Kerala's Kollam district, received the award for Best Sound Mixing with co-recordists Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.

"Slumdog Millionaire", based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel "Q & A", came to the 81st Academy Awards ceremony with 10 nominations and failed to win only in the Sound Editing category.

Rahman had also received a nomination in the Best Song category for 'O saya' in the film.

Veteran filmmaker Satyajit Ray was awarded a lifetime achievement Oscar in 1992 and prior to that Bhanu Athaiya won one for costume design in Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi" in 1983.

There was more good news as "Smile Pinki", the tale of Uttar Pradesh girl and her fight against the social stigma of a cleft-lip, won the Oscar award for Best Documentary (Short).

Directed by Emmy-award winning Megan Mylan, the film was shot in Mirzapur and Varanasi of Uttar Pradesh.

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

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".

Rahman, wearing a black bandhgala, also performed a medley of 'Jai ho' and 'O saya' assisted by dancers and singer John Legend.

The singer, who shot into fame in Bollywood with his score in Mani Ratnam's Roja, had earlier pocketed a Golden Globe and a BAFTA for his music "Slumdog Millionaire" besides a host of other awards.

It was an "unbelievable moment" for the "Slumdog Millionaire" team which stole the show at the red carpet with lead lady Frieda Pinto being the cynosure of all eyes in her elegant blue John Galliano gown.

She was joined by co-star and the film's lead protagonist British-Indian Dev Patel, clad in a black tuxedo.

Also dressed for the occasion in tuxedos and beautiful frocks were the two 'Salims' (Mohammad Azharuddin and Ashutosh Gaajiwala) and two 'Latikas' (Rubina Ali Qureshi and Tanvi Lonkar) were visibly excited to be present at the greatest awards night in Hollywood.

Following is the list of winners at the 81st Academy Awards:

Best Picture: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best Director: Danny Boyle ("Slumdog Millionaire")

Best Actor: Sean Penn ("Milk")

Best Actress: Kate Winslet ("The Reader")

Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger (posthumously for "The Dark Knight")

Best Supporting Actress: Penelope Cruz ("Vicky Cristina Barcelona")

Best Foreign Film: "Departures" (Japan)

Best Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy ("Slumdog Millionaire")

Best Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black ("Milk")

Best Animated Feature Film: "WALL-E"

Best Art Direction: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Best Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle ("Slumdog Millionaire")

Best Sound Mixing: Resul Pookutty with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke ("Slumdog Millionaire")

Best Sound Editing: "The Dark Knight" Best Original Score: A R Rahman ("Slumdog Millionaire")

Best Original Song: 'Jai ho' ("Slumdog Millionaire", music by A R Rahman and lyrics by Gulzar)

Best Costume: Michael O'Connor ("The Duchess")

Best Documentary Feature: "Man on Wire"

Best Documentary (short subject): "Smile Pinki"

Best Film Editing: "Slumdog Millionaire"

Best Makeup: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"

Best Animated Short Film: "La Maison en Petits Cubes"

Best Live Action Short Film: "Spielzeugland" (Toyland)

Best Visual Effects: "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"