For any cinema professional in the world, the Oscars are the pinnacle of success and glory, in terms of achievement and success. As I walked the red carpet second time in my life after the dazed magical evening of February 23 last year, this time it was not just excitement, and nostalgia but also great moment to enjoy the biggest award ceremony. In the wave of Slumdog last year, everything just whizzed past.
Today as I walked past, it was also the last moments on the scroll, when my name was going to be taken off the ‘current years winner’ and replaced with the new successor. A year that was magical, blessed and full of great happenings most of us only dream, coming to a conclusion.
It’s a thrilling moment as even after a year, as I stroll down the red carpet, I am recognised. ‘The guy from Slumdog’ goes the cry. Amazing that people loved the film so much globally and the fever is still holding on. On the flip side, I even walked through the US customs in a jiffy the sooner my passport re-elected my name! It makes me proud to be an Indian. I was rooting for an Indian short at the Oscars this evening — Harish Amin’s Kavi on child labour in India, but unfortunately it didn’t get through. Through the red carpet and where I was seated, most who pass by me were amazed at my Indian attire. Just as I speak now, Maya, a Lebanese actress brushed past- “Oh, watta lovely jacket!”. Thanks Troy Costa — all these compliments are for your work and to make sure that I look good!. Like Rahman last year. the twin award collection went on this years as well. This time Paul Ottoson took away both the awards for sound category. A sound man taking it — two at a go is quite a history!
The Oscars this year yet again reaffirmed how cinema is benchmarked by professionals. The success of Hurt Locker says that and all. Hurt Locker was this year’s Slumdog. Kathryn Bigelow did make history. Yet, some are shocked, some overjoyed, and some surprised at The Hurt Locker’s winning stride. Personally speaking, Inglorious Basterds, and Avatar were a favourite. Inglorious for its craft and Avatar for its marvelous vision. It was nice to see Kathryn win and create history as the first woman winner by pipping Tarantino and James Cameron, but for harcdcore cinema lovers it was shocking and disappointing I guess.
Another big thing to notice is that independent films are winning most of the Oscars this year too beating big studio films. That’s a welcoming change of trend. Last year Slumdog, and the year before Juno and this year Hurt Locker proves it beyond doubt. Even the overall change in presentation and hosts this year didn’t create a flutter.
Meeting Penelope Cruz on the red carpet also freshened the memories of watching her take the first award last year for Best Supporting Actress. Personally, the biggest high was meeting Tarantino, what an inspiring film maker he is and to be in his presence was humbling.
On to another evening some time soon in history when India would walk up again at the Oscars to fetch some awards.
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