There is no award like a National Award: Resul Pookutty

Oscar-winning sound artiste Resul Pookutty, who won the National Award for his work in the superhit Malayalam film Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja today, said that he was overjoyed at receiving the "ultimate" honour.

Pookutty who is also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, won the award for Best Sound Designer for his work in the period epic.

"There is no award like the National Award, it's the ultimate feeling. And it is all the more special because I was recognised for my work in my own language Malayalam," Pookutty told PTI.

The 37-year-old who won an Oscar and a BAFTA among others awards, for his work in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, said that he was happy that sound technicians are finally getting due recognition.

"There used to be just one award in the sound category, now there are three and I think that is a great development. I am really happy about that," said Pookutty.

Interestingly the acclaimed sound artiste did not win the Kerala state award in the same category for the same film and had expressed his displeasure about the same.

"Different juries have different visions and I think we just have to accept it," said Pookutty.

The artiste who was born in a small village in Kottayam district, Kerala, made his debut in a small budget film Private Detective in 1997. He has since come a long way.

"Before the Oscars, people did not know that there was someone called a sound engineer who worked on a film. But now there are films that are being marketed with my name. It is a amazing feeling and I am thankful for all the love that has come my way," said Pookutty.