Bollywood News and Stories From India

AR Rahman with his haul of two Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire raises the bar for excellence The name A R Rahman has become a chant by now in America, and the reticent musician is clearly elated. “I am very excited, it (the evening of the 81st Academy Awards) has been a lovely amalgamation of Indian and American people. The love and response that we have received has been immense.” Was he expecting to win? “I was expecting nothing, I had no expectations at all. There had been speculation here that we would not receive the award as the music is very Indian. So I was completely engrossed and concentrating on the performance. When I got the first award I went numb. On receiving the second award I realised the impact. I feel that that this can be seen as a bridge or a starting point for India. People have an aversion to different cultures. That this film has been so hugely accepted by the Americans is a great crossover.” “It totally felt like it was an Indian evening, with the Americans wa...

A R Rahman today became the first Indian to win two Oscars for his scintillating music in "Slumdog Millionaire” which swept the Academy awards Pictures Alicia Keys presents the Academy Award to composer AR Rahman. A R Rahman giving his acceptance speech after winning his 2 Oscars. A.R. Rahman holds up his Oscars for best original song and best original score for "Slumdog Millionaire" backstage at the 81st Academy Awards in Hollywood, California, February 22, 2009. A R Rahman's performance at the Oscars, complete with Bollywood music and dance, became the highlight of the star-studded event, enthralling Hollywood bigwigs in attendance at the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Images: Reuters

Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire Best Direction: Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire Best Original Song: A R Rahman and Gulzar Best Original Score: A R Rahman for Slumdog Millionaire Best Sound Mixing: Resul Pookutty wins for Slumdog Millionaire Best Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire Cinematography: Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire

Following is a complete list of winners at the 81st annual Academy Awards, held in Hollywood on Sunday. BEST PICTURE Slumdog Millionaire (Fox Searchlight) LEAD ACTOR Sean Penn in Milk LEAD ACTRESS Kate Winslet in The Reader DIRECTOR Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Departures — Japan SUPPORTING ACTOR Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight SUPPORTING ACTRESS Penelope Cruz in Vicky Cristina Barcelona ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Dustin Lance Black for Milk ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Simon Beaufoy for Slumdog Millionaire ANIMATED FEATURE Andrew Stanton for WALL-E ANIMATED SHORT FILM Kunio Kato for La Maison en Petits Cubes ART DIRECTION Donald Graham Burt for art direction and Victor J. Zolfo for set decoration on The Curious Case of Benjamin Button COSTUME DESIGN Michael O'Connor for The Duchess MAKEUP Greg Cannom for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button CINEMATOGRAPHY Anthony Dod Mantle for Slumdog Millionaire LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Jochen Alexander Freydank for Spielzeugland(Toylan...