'Slumdog Millionaire' cast, crew exhilarated

New Delhi, Jan 22(IANS) The cast and crew of Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" can't stop rejoicing as the Golden Globe-award winning underdog drama bagged 10 Oscar nominations Thursday.

"We are so excited. There's so much excitement and celebration everywhere. Everyone is joyous. I cannot tell you how crazy this feeling is," lead actress Freida Pinto told IANS on phone from Mumbai.

"Slumdog Millionaire", which is based on diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel "Q & A", is a moving tale of a slum boy's win at a TV reality show. Apart from Freida, the film stars British Indian debutant Dev Patel and Bollywood actors Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan.

The film has received nominations in best motion picture, best director, best original score, best adapted screenplay, best film editing, best sound editing, best sound mixing, best cinematography and two for the best original songs - "Jai ho" and "O saya" composed by Indian music maestro A.R. Rahman.

"We were not expecting so much at all. We were hoping...but 10 nominations is so unreal! And A.R. Rahman has made a wonderful track record. He totally deserves the three nominations and has made the country proud. Without his music, 'Slumdog…' wouldn't have been the same. The happiness for winning the Golden Globe has still not sunk in, so 10 Oscar nominations will take a lot of time for us to register," said Freida.

Noted film critic Saibal Chatterjee hailed the film as "one of the finest films shot in India".

"It is full of energy and strikes a chord. That's why the Academy has also given it its due recognition. With Rahman's three nominations, Indian technicians too will get global recognition," he said.

According to co-director Loveleen Tandon, the multiple Oscar nominations for the film are a "celebration of Indian moviemaking".

"It's a celebration of our (Indian) moviemaking and the songs that we have in our films. People always used to say that Indian films have a lot of songs and that's why they don't work but with 'Slumdog…' and Rahman's music, we have proved everyone wrong," Tandon told a news channel.

Even Anil Kapoor, who plays a game show host in the movie, couldn't control his joy.

"We just cannot believe what has happened. As if the whole India has been nominated. It's just great," said an elated Kapoor.

"Slumdog Millionaire" won four Golden Globe awards earlier this month apart from being nominated in 11 categories for the upcoming BAFTA awards.

The Oscar ceremony is to be held Feb 22 at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, California.

Click the Movie button below for more info:
Slumdog Millionaire