The most awaited Oscars for Indians have come through Music Maestro A.R.Rahman for his best Original Soundtrack score and the Best Song categories.
Indian Resul Pokutty won the gold statue for along with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke for best sound mixing.
Sound engineer Resul Pookutty became the third Indian to bring Oscar glory for India by winning the award for sound mixing in “Slumdog Millionaire” here today.
“I dedicate this award to my country. This is not just a sound award but a piece of history that has been handed over to me,” a beaming and emotional Pookutty said while dedicating the trophy to a billion Indians.
“I come from a country and civilisation that gave the world the word that precedes silence and is followed by more silence. That word is Om. So I dedicate this award to my country,” said Kerala-born sound technician.
Pookutty shared the honours with colleagues Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.
“This is unbelievable. I share the stage with two magicians, who captured the noise and cacophony of Mumbai to create the soul stirring artful sound of Slumdog Millionaire,” he said.
Pookutty has won a BAFTA and a more recent Cinema Audio Society (CAS) awards for best sound mixing. He is the first Indian to win the CAS award.
British scriptwriter Simon Beaufoy fetched the Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category for the film, based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup’s novel “Q and A”.
“It is a tremendous honour. I thank Vikas Swarup, without him Slumdog would not have happened, thanks Vikas Swarup,” said Beaufoy while accepting the golden statuette.
“Thank you Dev, thank you Latika and the entire cast and crew of Slumdog,” Beaufoy said.
The scriptwriter has already bagged the Golden Globe and BAFTA for Slumdog Millionaire.
“I learnt a lot about life,” said Beaufoy about his India experience.
This is a first Oscar for Beaufoy, who was earlier nominated in 1997 in the Original Screenplay Category for the film Full Monty.
Anthony Dod Mantle bagged the second Oscar for the film in the Best Cinematography category.
It was a first Academy for the 53-year-old Mantle.
“I should thank thousands but I can’t do that. Of course thank you so much Academy…Thank you Danny Boyle and the team,” said Mantle while accepting the Oscar at the star-studded ceremony.
Ravi is currently shooting for Peraanmai in S.P. Jananathan’s direction. The wedding will be held on June 7th 2009
The first song ‘Aahayam Idimuzhakka’ brings the easy style and musical prowess of Periya Karuppu Thevar and Mukesh to the fore. There is nothing radically new in the tune; it is an usual tappankoothu. Haran, Nancy Vincent and Udit Narayan join to render another fast-paced, similarly composed number ‘Vettaruva Kannazhagi’. Harish Raghavendra and Bombay Jayashree come together for the first time for the duet ‘Orumurai Nee Paarthal’. More than the musical ingredients, the chemistry between the singers and their expert rendition brings about an exclusivity to the song. Prashanthini, Mukesh, Naresh Iyer’s ‘Unnalathan Naanum Vazhven’ is an enjoyable. Kennedy, Jayashree Kumar and Mukesh’s ‘Yaaradi nee Mohini’ too is a well-knit composition.
Earlier During a press meet, JK, the producer of this film, mentioned that Eesa will turn out to be Vignesh’s stepping-stone to success and stardom. The movie is being produced with much grandeur and JK has spent lavishly to ensure that the movie thrills the audiences and proves to be commercially successful. Vignesh plays a character called Sudalesan, which is said to be very different from his earlier roles. Vignesh’s role would get him the fame and applause which Kamal and Vikram received for their roles in 16 Vayathinile and Pithamagan respectively, says the confident producer.
Haran makes his debut as a music director with Eesa. Lyrics are by Na. Muthukumar and Kabilan. Cinematography is by R.B. Balaganesh and stunts are by Dragon Singli. Kadhal Kandhas does the dance choreography. The movie is due to release in June.
The couple is so excited about taking the plunge that they are leaving no stone unturned to plan the best wedding. Isha and Timmy are both into spirituality and are followers of the Oneness University, situated in South India. Adds our source, “The couple recently paid a visit to Sri Amma Bhagavan, the founders of the Oneness University, to take their blessings and consult them for the wedding date.”
Isha confirms to us that she visited the Oneness University with Timmy to seek blessings, but when we asked her about the wedding plans, all she had to say was, “I am definitely getting married. But I haven’t decided on a date as of now.
