Click to play videoAnil Kapoor and Resul Pookutty spoke to CNN-IBN about Slumdog... sweeping the BAFTAs
CNN-IBN: Seven more awards added to the Slumdog... kitty. How does it feel?
Anil Kapoor: It was great for India yesterday, and then of course it was great for the movie because we got seven BAFTAs. Best picture is the most prestigious award at any awards function.
CNN-IBN: This is a unique experience. Are you looking at other international projects?
Anil Kapoor: It is, it is, it might not happen again ever in my life, might not happen again in anyone's life you know. Such a small film becoming huge. There is talk that it might do $250 million business worldwide which is a huge number - cross $100 million in the US and £70 million pounds in the UK - which is unheard of for such a small film. It's been competing with films that were budgeted for $250 million, and what people are liking is the content. So ultimately, everything boils down to the story, the script and the performances. It has an entire Indian star cast and people all over the world have seen it and related to all of us which is fantastic.
CNN-IBN: Anil Kapoor, do you think this will open new opportunities for our actors?
Anil Kapoor: I think more than us it's opened opportunities for everybody. This has opened doors for everyone. We have to be slightly more broadminded in our view and large-hearted and grab this with both hands. It's an opportunity of a life time.
CNN-IBN: Resul, first and foremost congratulations on winning the BAFTA. I'd like to ask you straight off - can you describe the moment for us when they announced your name as the winner for Best Sound. Relive that moment for us please.
Resul Pookutty: The first award of the night was of A R Rahman. I was screaming at the top of my voice. Ten minutes later came the sound award and I just couldn't believe it. I lost my voice. I didn't know what to say. I had no speech ready. I just went by my instinct. We just couldn't believe that we won it. I kept looking at the statue again and again to believe that we actually won it.
CNN-IBN: Resul, I'm sure the compliments and the congratulations are pouring in, but what exactly does this award mean to you personally?
Resul Pookutty: I would say it's a recognition of real talent and we have talent in India. We just lack opportunities. We don't have producers, actors pushing us to do better. This statue is a representation of wanting to go higher, wanting to do better and wanting to be reachable to the public at large. It's a recognition of aspirations of millions of people like me who come from very small circumstances. This would make them believe, 'yes we can do it'.
CNN-IBN: Resul, let me come to you again, tell me, what was it like working with A R Rahman on Slumdog.... It's not the first time you've worked with him.
Resul Pookutty: Me and Rahman share great mutual respect for each other's work. It's because how well we used his work, his talent. That's what we should learn from this. I am so happy for him because he so well deserved it.
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