Oscar, not a prestigious award: Big B

Jaipur, Jan 24: Ultimate recognition for artists is not Oscar awards, opined superstar Amitabh Bachchan on Saturday, Jan 24. When asked if there are shortage of good Indian films as very few have managed to get into an Oscar race Bachchan said "You people have taken the Oscar as the best recognition and award."

Amitabh was speaking at a book release of 'Bachchanalia', book on him at the Jaipur Literature Festival."They are great in their place and we are so in our place. It is not that Oscar awards are the ultimate recognition," he told an audience .

However, he said he was happy that the artistes who were working behind the scenes were finally getting their due recognition. The nomination of Indian sound director Rasool Pookutty for an Oscar is all the more important, besides that of Rahman and Gulzar, superstar expressed.

"It is encouraging when we see that the media, which conducts the film award ceremonies in India has started recognising the worth of background artists. Rasool, a sound engineer from India being nominated for the Oscar awards is definitely a wonderful news and makes me terribly happy for him," Bachchan said.

"Moreover, I hope that Rahman, who has already done India immensely proud brings back a second Oscar to the country," he said, a day after Indians bagged six Oscar nominations "Oscar has its own place...we do not disrespect it.

If they wish to give us an Oscar they can do it...if not, it would be even better," he said.
"India cinema has always stood first, stands first, is the best, Oscar has its own place," he added.

However, the actor clarified his remarks on Slumdog Millionaire which has bagged 10 Oscar nominations.

Bachchan said he believed the film was an artist's creative presentation and everyone had the right of expression. He denied that while writing his blog he had opined that the film was negative in depicting the poverty of India.

"The words (criticising the film) were not mine. In fact, in my blog I had analyzed some comments on the film put on my blog by the readers. I have since then spoken to both Anil Kapoor and Danny Boyle and clarified my position," Bachchan said.

He conveyed his good wishes to the entire team of Slumdog , though he could not attend the celebrations. "Criticism and cynicism at the international level gives us a satisfaction of growing Indian cinema's standard. We are a pioneer in film creativity and talent is no way inferior if given an opportunity, we can make brilliant films for foreign competition", he said.

"Indian movie has now greater acceptability...more and more movies are being screened in foreign countries like Japan, US and China," Bachchan said. "Dignity and respect should be given to them who work behind the camera... and now time has come for each member of the film unit to be recognised," he said.

Describing cinema as a uniting medium, Bachchan said there was no better example of an integrated India than a cinema hall.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)