MUSIC MAESTRO'S SISTER OVER THE MOON

By P. Vijian

NEW DELHI, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- World's leading movie producer India is
basking in joy after the film, 'Slumdog Millionaire' scooped eight Oscars at
the 81st Annual Academy Awards ceremony Monday.

India, which produces about 800 films annually -- second, only to Hollywood
-- won the coveted awards, breaking the decades-long wait for the Oscar to reach
Indian soil, despite its tremendous success story in moving-making.

Directed by British director Danny Boyle, the film with 10 nominations won
eight Oscars with South Indian music maestro A. R. Rahman winning two of the
elite trophies.

The veteran musician won an Oscar for the Best Original Score and for Best
Original Song, 'Jai Ho', from the film.

"My family is extremely happy. From the beginning, we expected him to win
more than one Oscar...so, it's a double joy today. We thank all who prayed for
him in India.

"It's a reward for his hardwork. He is really devoted to music, 24 hours he
will be playing with his instruments, fully dedicated to his profession and has
introduced a new dimension to the music industry," Fatimah Rafiq, Rahman's
younger sister, told Bernama from her Chennai residence.

The 'Slumdog Millionaire' is a story about a Mumbai orphan who grows up in
the slums and contests the Indian version of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire',
just to search for his lost love.

India's other documentary, 'Smile Pinki', about a rural girl with cleft lip,
also bagged an Oscar.

-- BERNAMA