India erupts with joy in as Rahman, Pookutty win Oscars

Chennai/Bangalore/Kollam/Allahabad, Feb 24 (ANI): India continued to welcome news of A.R. Rahman and Resul Pookutty winning three Oscars for India as the "Slumdog Millionaire" juggernaut swept the annual Hollywood awards.

Rahman won Oscars for original score and original song while Pookutty shared a sound mixing Oscar with Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke for his work on Danny Boyle's film.

But Rahman and Pookutty gave the Indian film fraternity much to cheer as they joined a select group of Indians to have won the coveted honour.

Noted actor Kamal Hassan termed Rahman as an epoch-making composer.

"I am feeling absolutely proud and I would like to copy Rahman in equipoise. He's not shouting and screaming. But, he knows that there's a way ahead for all India to move forward," Hassan said.

Terming the moment as memorable, veteran singer KJ Yesudas said that Rahman's father, who was associated with southern languages would have been a happy man if he were alive.

"His father has given him the talent. I remember his father and he would have been happiest person in this world today. His mother and everybody, and we all are happy with that," Yesudas said in Bangalore.

K Kalyan, Kannada language music composer heartily welcomed the news in Bangalore.

"The news was as if we are celebrating Deepavali, Yugadi or Sankranti. Thrilling news indeed and an honour for a gentleman composer like Rehman," Kalyan said.

Kin of Pookutty in his native Kollam town said that such talents should be encouraged.

"Now, we are spreading sweetness to all corners of the world. Action should be taken to encourage this," said Mohammad, a kin of Pookutty.

Also joining the joy were parents of Vikas Swarup, from whose novel 'Q and A' Slumdog writer Beaufoy has adapted the script.

"I am very happy. I send congratulations to my son and I also want that no body casts an evil eye on him and he should progress," Indira swarup, Vikas's mother said in Allahabad.

Though directed by a British filmmaker, "Slumdog Millionaire" has a mostly Indian cast. Indian television channels toasted the success of a critically acclaimed film the country claims as its own. (ANI)