Oscar Winners Made India Proud: PM

"Their achievement is a tribute to the Indian film industry, a reservoir of multi-disciplinary talent which the medium of cinema embraces," he said in a message on Monday.

The Prime Minister said he was delighted to congratulate A R Rahman on winning the Oscar for Best Original Score, the Rahman-Gulzar team for winning the Oscar for the Best Original Song 'Jai Ho, Resul Pookutty on winning the Oscar for Sound Mixing and the creative team of the Short Documentary 'Smile Pinky' on winning the Oscar for the Best Short Documentary.

Singh said the achievement of the creative teams of 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'Smile Pinky" was a recognition of their vast talent.

"The winners have done India proud and all those involved in the making of 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'Smile Pinky' have our heartiest congratulations," he added.

Congratulating the team, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said "I am delighted that A R Rehman and Resul Pookutty have won this year's much coveted Oscars for music and sound editing. They have done India proud, as have all the Indian actors, technicians and support staff who participated in the making of 'Slumdog Millionaire'".

Congratulating the film team, BJP leader L K Advani said "I extend my congratulations to the team members of 'Slumdog Millionaire' for creating history at the Oscars".

"Special wishes to A R Rahman for making the world dance to the Indian tune. Its truly 'jai ho' for the countrymen," Advani, who is a movie buff said on Monday.

Advani also congratulated UP girl Pinki after the documentary based on her life won the Oscar award.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee congratulated the entire team of Slumdog Millionaire. "It is a great pleasure and it is one of the most pleasant news for us," he said.

Home Minister P Chidambaram too congratulated the Slumdog team.

Expressing happiness at the film winning so many laurels, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma said "we are very happy. They have done us proud by their achievement. Rahman has made beautiful music, and of course Gulzarji... and the entire team of 'Smile Pinki' should be commended and congratulated".

Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan and NCP chief Sharad Pawar also congratulated the winning team.

"I would like to congratulate all those who brought joy to this country," Pawar said.

Pookutty, a sound technician from Kerala, won the Oscar in the Sound Mixing category. The movie also won the award for Best Film, Best Director for Danny Boyle and Best Adapted Screenplay for Simon Beaufoy.

President congratulates 'Slumdog Millionaire' team

President Pratibha Patil on Monday congratulated the team of 'Slumdog Millionaire' which created sensation by winning eight Oscars.

The President is happy that 'Slumdog Millionaire' has won Oscars in various categories.

She congratulates the winning team, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said.

"The President is specially thrilled with the remarkable feat achieved by A R Rahman, Gulzar, Resul Pookutty and making India proud," the spokesperson said.

The film bagged eight awards including two Oscars for Rahman for Best Original Score and Best Song for "Jai Ho", which was penned by lyricist Gulzar.

Pookutty, a sound technician from Kerala, won the Oscar in the Sound Mixing category.

The film went on to bag the award for Best Film, Best Director for Danny Boyle and Best Adapted Screenplay for Simon Beaufoy.

By DDNEWS (DD-23.2)