Click to play videoIndia's Oscar heroes are back. It's been a wild frenzy at the international airports in Chennai and Mumbai as the cast and crew of Slumdog Millionaire returned home. India got together to give the heroes welcome they truly deserve.
Oscar winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, Slumdog Millionaire's actors Irrfan Khan, Rubina Ali and Tanay Chedda shared their emotions and experiences post the Oscars. Oscar winning music composer A R Rahman's favourite drummer, musician Shivamani also shared a few candid details about Rahman.
CNN-IBN: Resul take us though the moment as the Oscar was being announced. How did you react?
Resul Pookutty: When the sound mixing category was announced in my mind I kept chanting Slumdog Millionaire. At the moment they announced the film's name I didn't know how to react I think I screamed first. We then walked up to the stage and received the award it was an unbelievable experience.
CNN-IBN: Do you wonder how did it all happen? How and why did the Academy embrace Slumdog Millionaire?
Resul Pookutty: It's an appreciation and recognition of an independent movie making. The film has given so much joy to everyone all over the world and that is what the Academy has acknowledged.
CNN-IBN: Irrfan, your not new to Hollywood. You've acted in the Mighty Heart, you met Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the red carpet?
Irrfan Khan: Yes I met them. They met me before the red carpet. They were sitting right in front of us when the film won in the Best Picture category. And they were very warm and were cheering us on.
CNN-IBN: Tanay what were your emotions when you were walking up to teh stage in front of everyone in Hollywood?
Tanay Chheda: I can't really describe it. When Steven Spielberg announced that the Oscar goes to Slumdog Millionaire we screamed. We were jumping with joy. The feeling on the stage is just out of the world.
CNN-IBN: Were all you kids hugging each other and were there tears rolling down your eyes?
Tanay Chheda: It was a very emotional experience. We were like one big family out there.
CNN-IBN: The Western media was completely fascinated by the child actors? Did the children add to the excitement?
Irrfan Khan: It was fantastic, it was like one big family out there. When they went on the stage, some were crying, dancing and some were singing Jai Ho. It's like we have embedded our talent in the heart of America.
CNN-IBN: Kaisa laga aapko wahan pe jaakar, (How did you feel)?
Rubina Ali: Bahut acha laga, bahut maza aaya (I felt very good, I had a lot of fun).
CNN-IBN: Aap kahan kahan gaye LA mein, (Where all did you go in LA)?
Rubina Ali: Humdog sabse mile, beach pe gaye, Disneyland gaye, sab jaga gaye, (We met a lot of people, we went o the beach, Disneyland and a lot of other places).
CNN-IBN: Aap Mickey Mouse se mile wahan, (Did you get to meet Mickey Mouse)?
Rubina Ali: Mickey Mouse ke saath photo khichaya, (We even got a picture clicked with Mickey Mouse).
CNN-IBN: Tanay, describe your experience in Disneyland with everyone their?
Tanay Chheda: It was really amazing. We got VIP treatment there.
CNN-IBN: Irrfan, is it fair to say that India was a flavour at the Academy Awards this year? What does Slumdog's win hold for Indian actors; technicians who want to work abroad?
Irrfan Khan: I hope this film becomes Crouching Tiger... for us. It’s definitely generated a lot of curiosity about India. I'm sure this will generate many collaborations between Hollywood and Indian cinema. It'll give a platform to our technicians and actors.
CNN-IBN: You have worked with A R Rahman, you are his favourite drummer. How is he as a person?
Shivamani: He's a very simple person. Music is his weakness. He gives room to others and a chance to new singers. He has got an open and beautiful mind.
CNN-IBN: Resul, A lot of us have heard various versions of your meeting with Steven Spielberg after you won the Oscar. Could you tell us what really happened?
Resul Pookutty: He shook my hand and said 'well done job'.
Not just that, the maker of Slumdog Millionaire Christian Colson who took home the best film Oscar this year is keen on making more films in India and especially in Mumbai. The producer expressed this wish himself.
"Christian Colson: Danny Boyle has gone on record saying that he would like to make another film and i would also love to return to Mumbai," he said.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.