Chief Minister of GujaratNarendra Modi said the Congress had a big role to play in Slumdog Millionaire sweeping the Oscars, at his maiden public rally in Thane, Maharashtra.
Narendra Modi, who is also the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP)Maharashtra election in-charge said that the 60 years of Congress reign in the country had given rise to slums. "Without Congress there would not be slums and without slums there would not be any Slumdog Millionaire and no Oscars," he said at his public rally at the Thane's Central Ground.
"Gujarat has become a benchmark for development in the country. Gujarat and Maharashtra were one state till 1960; if Gujarat can achieve then so can Maharashtra," said Modi.
Wearing his trademark half-sleeve khadi Kurta, Modi's speech was in essential a battle cry to vanquish the Congress rule at the Centre, however his target of ridicule was not Sonia Gandhi but Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar. Referring to the remarks made by Pawar during a public meeting at Nashik the day before, Modi said : "Leaders like Pawar and others from the Congress know that to win the election they have to mention my name. Pawar says that the path followed by Gujarat is not needed in Maharashtra. Pawar fears Gujarat's progress and the fact that Gujarat has 24 hour power even in the villages."
Replying to the Pawar's remark at Nashik that people of Gujarat want Gandhiji's and not Modi's Gujarat, Modi said: "Pawar has insulted Gandhi, one of greatest leaders, by comparing him with a small person like me." He added that Gujarat was fulfilling Gandhiji's dream of Ram Rajya by empowering the villages. "For Pawar, Gandhiji is only a medium of attaining power," he quipped.
This is an incredible moment. My life will never be the same again!" Resul Pookutty exclaims. "Not even in dreams did I imagine that I would get such a big honour. I am particularly happy that I got an award for a film that was shot in my favourite city, Mumbai.''
Minutes after he bagged his award, the Oscar winner was on the phone with rediff, talking about his big win for Slumdog Millionaire in the Best Sound Mixing category.
He added that he would like to dedicate the award to India, especially to the film industry.
''I am really proud that I could do this for my country. I'm thrilled that I am winning this award for India," Pookutty said.
Vilakkupara, a tiny hamlet in Kerala, where he was born, erupted in cricket-style celebrations when the news was flashed on television channels. Almost 1,000 people turned up at his house, where mediapersons were part of the celebrations.
When informed about the celebration in Kerala, he said, "I am really happy. This could be one of Kerala's biggest moments. It is the perfect Shivratri gift for Keralites."
Pookutty is now planning to direct a Malayalam film -- an adaptation of well-known writer Anand's Govardhanante Yatrakal --starring Mammooty.
For those who missed Resul's acceptance speech at the Oscars, here it is: 'This is unbelievable. We can't believe this. Ladies and gentlemen... sorry... I share the stage with two magicians, you know, who created the very ordinary sounds of Bombay, the cacophony of Bombay, into a soul-stirring, artful resonance called Slumdog Millionaire.
I come from a country and a civilization that given the universal word. That word is preceded by silence, followed by more silence. That word is 'Om.' So I dedicate this award to my country. Thank you, Academy, this is not just a sound award, this is history being handed over to me. My sincere and deepest gratitude to my teachers, Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie, Pravesh... and everybody who has contributed to this film, Glenn Freemantle and all the sound mixers. I dedicate this to you guys. Thank you, Academy. Thank you very much.
The US President, Barack Obama wants to watch Slumdog Millionaire, the White House has said.
Slumdog Millionaire, the exhilarating rags-to-riches fairy tale set in Mumbai, swept the Oscars with eight awards including the best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay; with A R Rahman becoming the only Indian to bag two Oscars for the best score and original song.
"I don't know if he has seen Slumdog Millionaire. I know he wants to," White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters during the course of his daily press briefing.
Gibbs said Obama has watched several movies recently. "I think that a lot of the movies that he has seen recently are movies that might also entertain a seven-and-a-10-year-old girl. Not sure that Slumdog Millionaire would be on that list," Gibbs said.
The US President, Barack Obama wants to watch Slumdog Millionaire, the White House has said.
Slumdog Millionaire, the exhilarating rags-to-riches fairy tale set in Mumbai, swept the Oscars with eight awards including the best picture, best director, best adapted screenplay; with A R Rahman becoming the only Indian to bag two Oscars for the best score and original song.
"I don't know if he has seen Slumdog Millionaire. I know he wants to," White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, told reporters during the course of his daily press briefing.
Gibbs said Obama has watched several movies recently. "I think that a lot of the movies that he has seen recently are movies that might also entertain a seven-and-a-10-year-old girl. Not sure that Slumdog Millionaire would be on that list," Gibbs said.
