It would not be wrong to describe that the entire people of the subcontinent living in Saudi Arabia were in a celebratory mood Monday after Bollywood's triumph of Slumdog Millionaire. The movie made history by winning eight Oscars at Academy Awards in Los Angeles. The Academy Awards was on the mind of every one when Slumdog Millionaire was nominated for 10 Oscar categories. Most movie-lovers, irrespective of their countries in the subcontinent, said they were glued to the television channels since earl morning to know the Oscar results. Not only Indians but Pakistani, Bangladeshi and even Sri Lankan and Nepalese expatriates expressed joy and happiness over Slumdog winning-streak at Oscar awards. Hashmat Hussain said Slumdog Millionaire's receiving Golden Globe awards following which its nine Oscar nominations already created a lot of enthusiasm among the movie-lovers that the film would do some wonders. “Since dawn I watched the awards ceremony with my Pakistani friends, who lived next door and we all shared joy and happiness each time (for eight consecutive times) the anchor announced … and the prize goes to … Slumdog Millionaire,” said Hussain. He said it appeared as if the focus was on India during the Academy Awards ceremony. Mohamed Shahjehan, a Bangladeshi accountant, said he was glad to see A.R Rahman, dubbed in India as ‘Mozart of Madras' and the country's youngest musician who brought the honors by winning two Oscars out of eight in a streak for Slumdog Millionaire. “Winning the Oscar is equivalent to winning Nobel Prize,” he said. Amir Amir Habeeb, an Egyptian administration clerk, said his Indian colleague played “Jai Ho” (which translates in English to “be victorious” and the song that won Oscar for A.R. Rahman was so lilting to ears that he kept on listening repeatedly. “It is no wonder if the song won Oscar at Academy Awards,” Habeeb, who is fond of listening to Indian music and watching Hindi movies, said. Mohammed Al-Heezan, a Saudi PR Supervisor, said Indian film industry was well-known in the Arab World, that has been portraying the unity in diversity of varied cultures of the people living in different states of the country. “For me Indian films deserved more Oscars and perhaps at each year's Academy Award ceremony,” Al-Heezan said. Shaheera Kabeer, a Sri Lankan housewife said there everyone was so feverish to watch Slumdog, after it was available on CDs. “I have a viewpoint that everyone in the world will agree that the movie really deserved Oscar,” she said. Muhammad Mahfuz, an Indian, said initially the movie created some controversy over the story and its title “but winning of Oscar made history for Indian film industry and all controversies will die down.” Narendra Babu said Slumdog Millionaire achieved a landmark victory by receiving eight Oscar awards that equaled the record held by the Richard Attenborough for his film “Gandhi.” Javed Ahmed said he has been an ardent fan of A.R. Rahman since the days when the young musician composed the music for Roja and Bombay among others. “I am happy to see Rahman receiving Oscars,” he said. However, there are others who expressed dissatisfaction when regional feelings were expressed by Anil Kapoor and Rahman from international platform such as Academy Awards. Amjad Khan, an Indian architect, said he was pained to listen Anil Kapoor at NDTV channel shouting “Jai Maharashtra and that his expression of love for Mumbai and followed by India. It appeared to me that the actor-producer was trying to appease some of the regional political leaders,” he said. He said he did not expect Rahman speaking at the Oscar's ceremony in Tamil, a regional language. But Akbar Batchah, a Tamilian and a close friend of A.R. Rahman, said that the Oscar winner is so down-to-earth person who never carried any regional feeling. He said the musician born and brought up in Tamil Nadu has learnt Urdu and Hindi to fully comprehend the correct meaning of these languages that helped him in his compositions. Most people might not know that A.R. Rahman is a keen learner and speaks fluent Hindi, he said. “(A.R. Rahman) is my long-time friend, who stays with me in Jeddah each time he comes to Saudi Arabia for Umra,” he said. – SGRafeek Younus, Chief Coordinator of SOORYA Global and President & Patron of SOORYA Saudi Arabian chapter. International integration through art and culture is the motto of Soorya and that is what this achievement of Slumdog Millionaire is all about. We feel proud and happy that Rasool Pookutty, who have used the stages of Soorya as his stepping stones have achieved this Oscar and this is truly India's time. By promoting our art and culture we can very well capture the world and make it our own. That is the dream of Soorya Krishnamoorthy who is the founder of Soorya Cultral Organization and this is a great achievement in that path. Indian movie and Indian culture and art is appreciated all around the world and that is a big thing. I use this opportunity to express our sincere appreciation on behalf of entire Soorya family to India's winners. Prof. Nizar Kathungal – Middle East Int'l School Principal – Al-KharjRiyadh I have known Rasool Pookutty since his college days because I was a Professor in Milade Sherif Memorial College, Kayamkulam where he studied. He was a very enthusiastic student and deserves the Oscar because he is extraordinarily talented. I am proud to have known him and my sincere appreciation to A.R.Rahman and Rasool Pookutty for their extraordinary achievement. Kayamkulam Koottayima in Riyadh “Kripa” is planning to celebrate this wonderful victory of Indians especially and is organizing a special press meet on this subject. Sajid Arattupuzha, correspondent of Gulf Madhyamam Indian movie is a very influential media and movies like Slumdog Millionaire is a fantastic portrayal of modern India, its ever so famous slums and reality shows and from rags to riches. This movie has all the masala of Indian cinema and it won 8 Oscars. This is recognition of Indian culture and its movies. It is really a proud moment for all Indians. Sabik – Indian Cultural Program Organizer This award is the pride of India and recognition of its culture. The award is a true recognition for India's talents. A.R. Rahman and Rasool Pookutty are a slice of Indian talent. This is a feather in India's cap. India has one of the largest film industries in the world and this is the apt recognition of Indian film industry. Abdul Ashiq K.V. – Jeddah The movie Slumdog Millionare is a true picture of modern India. From rags to riches is what now India is. The movie is exceptional. It also shows another aspect of Indian culture because, the big award was won by three Indians, A.R. Rahman, Rasool Pookutty and Gulzar, all three of them are Muslims and this is an answer to those factors across the borders who blame India for oppressing Muslim minority. I feel proud to be an Indian. John Thomas - IISD Managing Committee Member This award is a true recognition of good films and I feel happy that though the movie is made by Brits, it is an Indian movie, story of India's slums, story of India's hope and anticipation. A clear cut presentation of what India is. Though the country is rocketing to the riches, slums are a reality of modern India and the film has captured it beautifully. Speaking about A.R. Rahman, Indians have already given him millions of Oscars to him. The Oscars which is their hearts. He is recognized all over India as a musical genius and loved and respected for his talents. This Oscar will be the world's recognition to the maestro. It is a true proud moment for all Indians. C. Abdul Razak – Patron of Indian Football Association, Saudi Arabia It's awesome, and finally Indians made it to the Oscars and when we did, we did it with a bang. It is quite difficult to digest and I feel excited and proud. This is one of those rare achievements by Indians. Rasool Pookutty is a talent who was not much known except after the Golden Globe awards and now he has made it to the Oscars. It is a real achievement. A.R. Rahman is famous for his extraordinary talents and this award is just another golden feather on his already crowded cap. He is an unchallenged musical genius of India and the awe and excitement we Indians feel is beyond words . Saleem Ingikkal, a friend of Rasool Pookutty, who works in Riyadh I feel greatly honored to be an Indian and am pleased with the fantastic accomplishment of these great people. I am especially honored because I am a friend of Rasool Pookutty and I feel proud to have known him. We used to live in the same flat in Bombay at Garegav Sai Nagar for about a year. We both studied in MSM College, and I am proud of him. Jais, cousin of Rasool Pookutty Jais, a cousin of Rasool Pookutty, who is working in Jubail in Rizayath Group of Petrochemical Project, said he was overwhelmed and extremely happy about the triumph of his cousin and felt proud to be associated with him. “It is a proud moment for all Indians and I am especially happy because the great achiever is my cousin. We are partying right now and all that I feel is great to be an Indian and a Keralite.”
