Oscars to 'Slumdog Millionaire' bring smile on Vajpayee's face

The golden run of Slumdog Millionaire at the Oscars and AR Rahman's double win brought smiles on the face of ailing former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who watched the awards at the AIIMS' ICU and even gestured to the staff to have a look at the television.

"He pointed towards the television when Rahman went on stage to receive the award and there was a broad smile on his cherubic face," said an attending doctor requesting anonymity.

The doctor said 84-year-old Vajpayee's eyes were glued to the television when Rahman crooned Jai ho and O saya on the Kodak Theater stage.

"He could not speak because of tracheotomy but his excitement was visible when he signalled me to come and look at the screen as the award was given to Rahman. He even gestured to all the staff present in the ICU to have a look at the television," he said.

The veteran leader has shown immense improvement since he was admitted at AIIMS following complaints of chest infection which was later diagnosed to be pneumonia. He underwent tracheotomy on February 13 to ease the respiration process and avoid any infection.

Vajpayee continues to remain stable but doctors have advised to keep him in ICU till he starts taking solid food. He has been fed through pipes as the "tracheotomy" tube does not allow him to take food orally.