The Hindu : Front Page : ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ just one shot away from the Oscars

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Tuesday, Jan 13, 2009
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‘Slumdog Millionaire’ just one shot away from the Oscars

Ziya Us Salam

Rahman has brought film music to global stage: Gulzar

NEW DELHI: The underdog ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ has ended as the top dog at the Golden Globe awards with the film winning all the four awards it was nominated for. Popular composer A.R. Rahman became the first Indian to get the Golden Globe for the Best Original Score. Director Danny Boyle’s film, that relates the tale of an orphan from Mumbai winning a game show, also won the Golden Globe for the Best Director, Best Drama and the Best Adapted Screenplay.

“I am so happy to have won this award not because I needed it but because [I] have fulfilled a wish of all the music lovers in India to bring home a Golden Globe,” Mr. Rahman said. “I want to thank the Almighty for making this possible and am grateful for all the love and prayers from all my fans, friends and family. It is a score which blurs the line between songs and a score. That is one of the reasons for it becoming very addictive for the viewers.”

Actor Anil Kapoor, who has won acclaim for his portrayal of Prem, a quiz show host in the film, said the awards were completely unexpected.

“The awards for the film have come as a huge surprise. But with Rahman there is no surprise. He is known for original work.”

Popular actor Irrfan Khan, who plays a police inspector in the film, said, “I have been a fan of Rahman all through. I have never heard a better bhajan than ‘Tumre bin …’ He has out-done himself here. He deserves much more.”

Commenting on Rahman’s great success, seasoned poet-lyricist Gulzar who has penned one of the songs for ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ said, “It means so much for all of us, and for Indian music. Rahman has brought film music to the global stage.” Veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt felt there was something predestined about Rahman’s success. “A man with such talent had to make his presence felt in the global arena. He had the appetite to go beyond the matrix of Tamil and Hindi cinema. He delivered when the opportunity presented itself. The world will take Indian film music more seriously now.”

Interestingly, actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar, who plays gangster Javed in the film, auditioned for the small role. “Danny [Boyle] was like a baby on the set, always excited to know something more. It is this innocence which reflects in the film and is sweeping the world off its feet.” Mahesh agrees it is ironical that the subject was not taken up by an Indian production house. “I wanted to do it but by then the rights were sold.”

Audience appreciation

Fellow actor Madhur Mittal, who plays Salim in the film, said, “We are all proud of the awards it has got but the audiences’ appreciation that had come our way means much more. We also got the People’s Choice Award in Toronto. As for Rahman, I had worked with him earlier in ‘One Two ka Four.’ Here his music score is in sync with the film. It is one of his best works.”

The film is based on Indian author-diplomat Vikas Swarup’s book ‘Q and A.’

The success at the Golden Globe has upped the expectations. “We might just be one shot away from the Oscars now,” said actor Irrfan Khan.

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