A R Rahman has become the first Indian to win two Oscars for his scintillating music in ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ which swept the Academy awards winning eight with one going to sound engineer Resul Pookutty.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’, a rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slum dweller, who goes on to win INR 20 million in a quiz show, was adjudged the best film.

It also fetched Danny Boyle the Best Director award, Simon Beaufoy best Adapted Screenplay and Anthony Dod Mantle the best Cinematography award. The film was also awarded for Best Editing.

A beaming 43-year-old Rahman said: "Before coming here I was excited and terrified. The last time I felt that way was when I was getting married.

"There is a Hindi dialogue 'mere pass ma hai' which means even if I have got nothing I have my mother here. I want to thank her for coming all the way to support me," Chennai- born Rahman said in his acceptance speech after bagging the Original Score Oscar.

The foot-tapping number 'Jai ho', with lyrics by Gulzar, was adjudged the Best Song.

Pookutty, who hails from Kerala's Kollam district, received the award for Best Sound Mixing with co-recordists Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.

‘Slumdog Millionaire’, based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel ‘Q & A’, came to the 81st Academy Awards ceremony with 10 nominations and failed to win only in the Sound Editing category. Rahman had also received a nomination in the Best Song category for 'O saya' in the film.

... contd.