This is just the beginning

Slumdog Millionaire's sweep at the Academy Awards will open doors for Indian talent in Hollywood, feel My NEWS readers

This is just the beginning

Slumdog Millionaire's sweep at the Academy Awards will open doors for Indian talent in Hollywood, feel My NEWS readers

I wish to congratulate the cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire on its historic victory at the Academy Awards. This 'curio' was sweetened by the fact that A R Rahman, Resul Pookutty and Gulzar were honoured with befitting awards, giving Indians every reason to celebrate. The most defining moment at the Oscars was when children, who acted in Slumdog Millionaire, took the stage when the film was awarded the Best Picture. India dominated the 81st Academy Awards ceremony like never before.

Standing tall: The cast of Slumdog Millionaire (from left) Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan and Anil Kapoor at the 81st Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Pic/afp

From A R Rahman and Resul Pookutty's inspiring acceptance speeches to the Oscar for the documentary film Smile Pinki, it was India all the way. Rahman's lively performance accompanied by Indian dancers left the Western audiences mesmerised.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0
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Slumdog Millionaire is a movie made with talented but obscure Indian cast, directed by a British director and produced by an American production house. It is remarkable that it managed to garner such extraordinary success, support and recognition and won a million hearts across the globe.

Slumdog created history. This movie will act as a bridge between Indian and Western cinema in the years to come and create an array of opportunities for talented Indian artistes.u00a0u00a0

Truly inspirational
Finally, India finds a mention in the list of Oscar winners. The Oscar awards have always been dominated by films from the West. Indian films failed to make a mark in the international circuit, but with eight Oscars for Slumdog Millionaire, history has been rewritten.

A R Rahman, Gulzar and Resul Pookutty have done India proud by winning the Oscars.

Many argue that Slumdog Millionaire is not an Indian film. It is a little different from a typical Indian movie, but its cast and crew is dominated by talented Indians such as Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan, Freida Pinto and of course all the child artistes.u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0u00a0

Now that India has made its mark at the Oscars, Hollywood will open its arms to Indian cinema and Indian talent in the years to come. The historic victory at Kodak Theatre should also motivate filmmakers back home to make quality films, which are acceptable globally and are technically sound. Till then, one can only hope that we get to compete at the Oscars next year as well.

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