Countdown to the Oscars: Indian interest on a new high

Indian interest for the 2009 Oscar Ceremony would be at an all time high with a billion hearts wanting to hear the names A. R. Rahman, Gulzar and Pookutty as the winners.

Hugh Jackman (known internationally for spectacular performances in the X-Men series and Van Helsing) will be the Oscar Presenter. Many feel his appointment has all the potential of reviving the electric feeling that has always been associated with the Oscars over the decades.

True the Academy Awards cater to excellence in American films with the exception of one category (Best Foreign Film), but then not all American films are made in America featuring only American talent. British filmmaker Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire' is a classic exception and still finds itself in the race for the Oscars thanks to its American distributor Fox Searchlight Pictures.

'Slumdog Millionaire' is set in Mumbai and has been made with the services of many Indians. The co-director of the film is Loveleen Tandon, A. R. Rahman is the music director, one song has been written by Gulzar and one among the team of Sound Mixing is Resul Pookutty. Moreover, the complete cast of the film is Indian (though Dev Patel is a British Indian). All this has made Slumdog Millionaire's presence in the Oscars 'a very Indian affair'.

That brings us to the question How bright is Slumdog Millionaire's chances at the Oscars?

The answer to this question is a simple VERY BRIGHT. The film has been appreciated literally from all quarters. After finding favor in many Critics' Award Ceremonies, the film also proved to be sensational at the Golden Globe.

After Slumdog Millionaire won the recent American Producers Guild Award, it is quite clear that the film is indeed the favorite to win the Best Picture Award at the Oscars (the juries of both these awards constitute largely of the same members).

A. R. Rahman too has literally made the western world raving about his style of music. The musical wizard has been nominated in three categories (best original score and for two songs). The maximum number of Oscars he can win is two as both his songs compete with each other.

Come February 22 and when the Academy Awards unfold (23rd morning in India); the whole of India would be charged up with bated breath. Indian interest at the Oscars like never before. Something to look forward to.