INDIA BREAKS SOUND BARRIER ! JAI HO

You know India has arrived when everybody in Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre—from Brad Pitt to Kate Winslet, Steven Spielberg to Meryl Streep—move to the beat of Jai Ho. Believe it or not, that’s exactly what happened at the 81st Academy Awards when double Oscar winner A R Rahman walked on stage to sing his now-famous composition from Slumdog Millionaire. Western dancers in dazzling pink Indian outfits danced to Rahman’s tune, while gora men in traditional dhotis played on drums. And as Hollywood’s hottest swung to the rhythm, one could well have been at an Indian awards ceremony. Kodak Theatre may have glittered with international celebrities on Sunday night but it was India that was shining all along. Sound mixing Oscarwinner Resul Pookuty accepted his award with a speech profound in its simplicity. “I come from a country and a civilization that gave us the universal word. That word is preceded by silence, followed by more silence. That word is Om. I dedicate this award to my country. Thank you, Academy, this is not just a sound award, this is history being handed over to me,’’ said the FTII grad. But that wasn’t all. A R Rahman, in his first acceptance speech (best original soundtrack) said, “Mere paas ma hai.’’ Salim-Javed’s classic line from Deewar travelled across the oceans to resound in Hollywood’s hall of fame. “I have nothing but I have a mother. She’s here, with her blessings. I am grateful for her to have come all the way,’’ he said. In his second acceptance speech (for Jai Ho), Rahman said to a rapt audience, “The essence of the film is about optimism and the power of hope. All my life I had a choice of hate or love. I chose love, and I’m here.’’ In another ‘it’ moment for India, desi girl Freida Pinto was asked to co-present the award for Best Foreign Film. Soon after, the entire theatre smiled along with a little girl from Mirzapur in UP. Pinki’s cleft-lip tale of tears and courage in Megan Mylan’s Smile Pinki won many hearts, and the award for best documentary (short subject). But the most fitting tribute to India—and Mumbai—came direct dil se from Danny Boyle, “My connection with Mumbai is unending and inseparable. All of you who’ve helped us make the film and all of you who didn’t, thank you so much. You dwarf even this guy (gesturing to the statuette).’’ Little wonder, then, that everyone’s greeting of choice has suddenly become Jai Ho! OSCAR WILD Slumdog Millionaire BEST FILM Danny Boyle BEST DIRECTOR A R Rahman BEST ORIGINAL SCORE A R Rahman & Gulzar BEST ORIGINAL SONG Simon Beaufoy BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Resul Pookutty, Ian Tapp & Richard Pryke BEST SOUND MIXING Anthony Dod Mantle BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY Chris Dickens BEST EDITING MUMBAI BOYLES OVER To Mumbai, unending, inseparable, unborn. All of you who’ve helped us make the film and all of you who didn’t, thank you so much. You dwarf even this guy (gesturing to the statuette). Thank you very much indeed—Director Danny Boyle