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A R Rahman wins BAFTA award for Slumdog

February 09, 2009 08:46 IST

India's music maestro Allah Rakha Rahman has scooped the BAFTA award in the best music score category for Slumdog Millionaire, a rags-to-riches story that won six other awards, including the Best Film at the star-studded function in London.

Bolstering its chances for the Oscars scheduled later this month, the film based on India's diplomat-turned author Vikas Swarup's novel went into the ceremony with 11 nominations and won prizes for best film, best director, original screenplay, music, cinematography, editing and sound.

The film, which received 10 Oscar nominations, is now poised to win laurels at the Oscars on February 22.

Besides Rahman, India's Resul Pookutty received the prize for the best sound for the same film along with Glenn Freemantle, Richard Pryke, Tom Sayers and Ian Tapp.

Danny Boyle, who directed the film based in the slums of Mumbai was named best director.

However, the film's 18-year-old star Dev Patel lost to Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) in the best actor category. Patel is also nominated in the best actor category for the Oscars.

Kate Winslet and Mickey Rourke also gained the Oscar momentum with acting wins -- Winslet for her role in The Reader and Rourke for his career-reviving performance as a washed-up athlete in The Wrestler.

"It is in response to a billion prayers," said Rahman while dedicating the award to the people of Mumbai.

Slumdog writer Simon Beaufoy, who was awarded the prize for best adapted screenplay, thanked Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup for his novel Q and A, on which the film was based.

"It is a great privilege to have won the award," Beaufoy said adding, "I have two pretend Baftas at home, so it's great to have a real one."

He revealed one Bafta was made of chocolate, while the other was a plastic replica he purchased online. Beaufoy said the whole cast was "genuinely thrilled" at how people have been reacting to the film.

The low-budget British film about a young man from the slums of Mumbai who seeks to rise by winning a Hindi TV game show, 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire', triumphed at the Golden Globes last month with four honours including the best drama.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, starring Brad Pitt, was nominated for 11 awards but walked away with just three.

Pitt, who arrived at the ceremony with partner Angelina Jolie, missed out on the best actor award.

The movie, which tells the tale of a man who ages backwards, was recognised for its production design, its visual effects and its make-up and hair.

H S Rao in London
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