From Satyajit Ray to AR Rahman: 9 Indians who have won the Oscar

As the 96th Oscars is around the corner, here's a look at all those Indians who have won the golden trophy over the decades.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

March 10, 2024 - 12:00 PM IST

The 96^th Academy Awards aka the Oscars are just around the corner. The grand international event is all set to take place today in the US today. Hence, it will be telecast in India in the wee hours of the Monday morning. India has never won an Oscar in the Feature Film category but there have been a number of Indian artistes who have brought home the golden trophy in various other categories.

From Satyajit Ray to AR Rahman: 9 Indians who have won the Oscar

Here’s looking back at 9 Indians who have won an Oscar over the decades.

Bhanu Athaiya

She was a costume designer and the first Indian to win an Oscar. Athaiya won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work in Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi in 1983, where Ben Kingsley played the titular character. Her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to capture the essence of characters through costumes earned her international recognition.

Satyajit Ray

Although he did not win a competitive Oscar, Ray was awarded an Honorary Academy Award in 1992 for his lifetime achievements in cinema. He was a visionary filmmaker known for his masterful storytelling and realistic portrayal of Indian society. Ray's contributions to world cinema continue to inspire generations of filmmakers globally.

A.R. Rahman

A musical maestro, Rahman is one of India's most celebrated music composers. He won two Oscars for his exceptional work on the film Slumdog Millionaire in 2009. Rahman won for Best Original Score and Best Original Song (‘Jai Ho’). His innovative compositions blend traditional Indian music with contemporary sounds, making him a global icon in the world of music.

Gulzar

An acclaimed Indian lyricist, poet, and filmmaker, Gulzar won an Oscar for Best Original Song for ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, which he co-wrote with A.R. Rahman. His lyrical prowess and ability to evoke profound emotions through his words have made him a revered figure in the Indian film industry.

Resul Pookutty

Pookutty is a sound designer and mixer who won the Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing for his work in the film Slumdog Millionaire in 2009, alongside Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke. His expertise in capturing and enhancing soundscapes contributed significantly to the film's immersive experience.

MM Keeravani and Chandrabose

When SS Rajamouli’s action drama RRR turned out to be a blockbuster, it didn’t come as a surprise. But not many would have expected the movie to win at the Oscars too last year at the 95^th Academy Awards. The film’s chartbuster song ‘Naatu Naatu’ won the Best Original Song and the award was received by composer MM Keeravani and lyricist cum singer Chandrabose. Rajamouli and the entire team was present at the venue to celebrate the occasion.

Guneet Monga Kapoor and Kartiki Golsalves

Last year, producer Guneet Monga and filmmaker Kartiki Gonsalves also made India proud by winning the Oscar for the Best Documentary Short for their movie The Elephant Whisperers. The movie succeeded in being a moving saga about a couple from the village at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu who are entrusted with a baby elephant named Raghu.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Guneet Monga reveals why India has not won an Oscar in the Feature Films category