Question: What is common between New York City and The Academy Awards a.k.a The Oscars?
Answer: Both never cease to amuse me.
The day before yesterday, I ran off to Brooklyn after I had managed to grade 240 copies in two days. I desperately needed some kind of rest and diversion to make all the numbers dancing before my tired eyes go away. Hence, Brooklyn, to a friend's. On the way I saw a bengali restaurant. Which is not quite a rare site in NYC. But the loudspeaker outside playing bengali songs in full volume sure was. Some firangis stood bewildered and tried to decide what exactly is going on. I stopped for a minute or two and walked away laughing heartily. First time in two days.
Today the 81st Academy Awards were presented. And "Slumdog Millionaire" stole the show with 8 or 9 awards. I found out it also has an imdb rating of 8.7 and stands #37 in their top 250 films list. A.R.Rehman won two awards for his excellent music direction in the film which consists of the very memorable track "bla bla bla JAI HO! bla bla bla JAI HO!"(thanks to a friend for the description). After days of waiting with bated(and perhaps stinking) breath, "Slumdog Millionaire" was declared to be the best film of 2008. We, Indians should definitely be proud of this incredible achievement of a film that is entirely shot in our dearest country and portrays our average population so well. Only, the film lovers should be in a grave dilemma. Whether to send "Delhi 6" or "Raaz 2" as the official Indian entry to next year's Best Foreign Film Oscar category. Mr.Rehman might as well win another lady for his absolutely stunning "Masakkali". Ah, I wish it was Oscars all throughout the year. I would then sleep a happy man every night.
