What was the reaction at home?
Unfortunately, my parents are no more. But I consider my in-laws to my parents. They were happy and proud of me.
My wife was shocked with the kind of response I got. She never expected people to come and talk to me.
When I had reached Los Angeles, my name was randomly picked up by the computer for an additional check as I have been frequenting America. When they realised that I have been nominated for the Oscars, for Slumdog Millionaire, all of sudden there were people started surrounding me. They spoke to me for half an hour about the film. I did not expect that.
You have come from a lower middle class background to this place in life. Tell us about your journey.
My village -- Vilakkupara, a tiny hamlet in Kerala -- had no electricity until I was in Std 12. I had to walk to school. But I don't want people to think of my rag-to-riches story. I don't want the media to project that. More than 70 percent Indians living in villages still don't have electricity at home and have to walk to school. So I am like any other boy.
About 80 percent of people in our country are always in recession, and we are talking of recession now. People in the West get depressed when they don't have money. But in our country, even if you don't have money, you can dream. And that dream is taking our country forward.
If you want to project anything, project my dreams and aspirations. I dreamt big and worked towards it. I studied in a government school. The biggest attraction of going to school was the free lunch that we got. It wasn't that was there was no food at home. But sitting and eating with your friends and having fun is something else.
My villagers don't know what the Oscars are, and what I am today.
In the picture: Resul received a grand welcome in Mumbai. Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
Also Read: Congratulate Rahman, Resul!
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