Winners at the 81st Oscars

 

New Delhi, Feb 24: Kerala-born technician Resul Pookutty, who bagged an Oscar for sound mixing in "Slumdog Millionaire" and was appreciated for his acceptance speech, does not want to miss his daughter's first birthday party and is rushing back home.

"Last night was really exciting. It was like a dream. So many things happened in a short span. I could not sleep for more even two hours," Pookutty, who was awarded along with fellow re-recording mixers Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke, said from Los Angeles.

The Film and Television Institute of India graduate said he will reach his Mumbai home on February 26 to attend his daughter Falina's birthday.

"Falina will be a year old on the 26th. And I have to reach home," he said.

Pookutty also said that his acceptance speech was dubbed the most eloquent by American Broadcasting Corporation.

"I was informed by Vikas Swarup that ABC termed my speech as most eloquent at yesterday's ceremony," he said.

A beaming Pookutty had yesterday said on stage that the Oscar was a piece of history handed over to him.

"I come from a country and civilisation that gave the world the word that precedes silence and is followed by more silence. That word is 'Om'. So I dedicate this award to my country," he had said in his speech.

Resul Pookutty

This is an incredible moment. My life will never be the same again!" Resul Pookutty exclaims. "Not even in dreams did I imagine that I would get such a big honour. I am particularly happy that I got an award for a film that was shot in my favourite city, Mumbai.''

Minutes after he bagged his award, the Oscar winner was on the phone with rediff, talking about his big win for Slumdog Millionaire in the Best Sound Mixing category.

He added that he would like to dedicate the award to India, especially to the film industry.

''I am really proud that I could do this for my country. I'm thrilled�that I am winning this award for India," Pookutty said.

Vilakkupara, a tiny hamlet in Kerala, where he was born, erupted in cricket-style celebrations when the news was flashed on television channels. Almost 1,000 people�turned up at his house, where mediapersons were part of the celebrations.

When informed about the celebration in Kerala, he said, "I am really happy. This could be one of Kerala's biggest moments. It is the perfect Shivratri gift for Keralites."

Pookutty is now planning to direct a Malayalam film -- an adaptation of well-known writer Anand's Govardhanante Yatrakal --starring Mammooty.

For those who missed Resul's acceptance speech at the Oscars, here it is: 'This is unbelievable. We can't believe this. Ladies and gentlemen... sorry... I share the stage with two magicians, you know, who created the very ordinary sounds of Bombay, the cacophony of Bombay, into a soul-stirring, artful resonance called Slumdog Millionaire.

I come from a country and a civilization that given the universal word. That word is preceded by silence, followed by more silence. That word is 'Om.' So I dedicate this award to my country. Thank you, Academy, this is not just a sound award, this is history being handed over to me. My sincere and deepest gratitude to my teachers, Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie, Pravesh... and everybody who has contributed to this film, Glenn Freemantle and all the sound mixers. I dedicate this to you guys. Thank you, Academy. Thank you very much.

'I blanked out when my name was announced at the Oscars'

Resul has worked in films like Black, Gandhi My Father, Saawariya, Traffic Signal, Dus Kahaniyan and Ghajini but it was Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire that put him on the world map.

Resul talks to Patcy N about winning the Oscar experience.

Did you expect to win the Oscar?

When we went there, we knew we had 50-50 chance. But when the award for Best Sound Editing went to The Dark Knight, we got dejected. There was complete silence in our row. I thought our chances of winning were dim.

In the picture: Ian Tapp, Resul Pookutty, and Richard Pryke accept their Oscars for sound mixing for Slumdog Millionaire. Photograph: Gary Hershorn/ REUTERS

Unfortunately, my parents are no more. But I consider my in-laws to my parents. They were happy and proud of me.

My wife was shocked with the kind of response I got. She never expected people to come and talk to me.

When I had reached Los Angeles, my name was randomly picked up by the computer for an additional check as I have been frequenting America. When they realised that I have been nominated for the Oscars, for Slumdog Millionaire, all of sudden there were people started surrounding me. They spoke to me for half an hour about the film. I did not expect that.

You have come from a lower middle class background to this place in life. Tell us about your journey.

My village -- Vilakkupara, a tiny hamlet in Kerala -- had no electricity until I was in Std 12. I had to walk to school. But I don't want people to think of my rag-to-riches story. I don't want the media to project that. More than 70 percent Indians living in villages still don't have electricity at home and have to walk to school. So I am like any other boy.

About 80 percent of people in our country are always in recession, and we are talking of recession now. People in the West get depressed when they don't have money. But in our country, even if you don't have money, you can dream. And that dream is taking our country forward.

If you want to project anything, project my dreams and aspirations. I dreamt big and worked towards it. I studied in a government school. The biggest attraction of going to school was the free lunch that we got. It wasn't that was there was no food at home. But sitting and eating with your friends and having fun is something else.

My villagers don't know what the Oscars are, and what I am today.

In the picture: Resul received a grand welcome in Mumbai. Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar