Oscar fever hits India with Rahman and Pookutty

As the Oscar fever catches up, expectation are high among Indians that music maestro AR Rahman, who has bagged three nominations for "Slumdog Millionaire", will bring home the coveted trophy.

As the Oscar fever catches up, expectation are high among Indians that music maestro AR Rahman, who has bagged three nominations for "Slumdog Millionaire", will bring home the coveted trophy.

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The 43-year-old, who has already pocketed a Golden Globe and BAFTA, is nominated for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for his numbers "Jai ho" and "O saya".

In the original score category, Rahman faces competition from Alexandre Desplat ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), James Newton Howard ("Defiance"), Danny Elfman ("Milk") and Thomas Newman ("WALL-E").

The Indian composer is pitted against Peter Gabriel and Thomas Newman ("Down to earth" from "WALL-E") in the original song category. Gulzar has penned the lyrics of "Jai ho" and Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam aka M.I.A. For "O saya".

It is also a tryst with destiny for Indian sound technician Resul Pookutty, who is vying for an Oscar with his colleagues Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke for sound mixing in 'Slumdog Millionaire". Pookutty faces challenge from "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button", "The Dark Knight", "WALL-E and "Wanted".

However, Indian enthusiasm is not just limited to "Slumdog Millionaire", two documentaries "Smile Pinki" and "The Final Inch", are also vying for Oscar glory in Documentary (Short) category.