Indian Films At The Oscars

In 1957, Mehboob Khan's rural story of motherhood and hardship went to the Oscars. Mother India became the very first Indian movie to make the final five in the Best Foreign Film category. It lost to The Nights of Cabiria.

In 1958, Madhumati was the official entry in the Best Foreign Language category. Starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjanthimala, Bimal Roy's tale of reincarnation and revenge failed to strike a chord with the Academy. Madhumati did not make the final five.

In 1959 Satyajit Ray's ''The World of Appu''-a black and white depiction of the life of boy from the villages of Bengal was left in the cold by the Academy.

In 1960, the Academy similarly passed over Mughal-e-Azam, K Asif's epic love story starring Dilip Kumar and Madhubala

Tragedy Queen Meena Kumari's emotional quotient could help conquer Mount Oscar. 1963's Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam was buried in nominationless oblivion.

Adapted from R K Narayan's acclaimed novel, Guide brought Bollywood glory in 1965 to actors Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman, but not Hollywood recognition.

In 1974, M S Sathyu's Garam Hawa pioneered the new wave of art house cinema in Bollywood. Did it make the Oscar cut? The answer is a resounding no.

Shyam Benegal's Manthan, starring Smita Patil, won a slew of awards at home, including two NationalAwards.However,Manthan's luck with the Academy in 1976 proved no better than that of the films earlier.

In 1978, a second Satyajit Ray film was submitted by India. Led by Sanjeev Kumar, India's brightest art house cinema talents could not take Shatranj Ke Khiladi, or The Chess Players, into the Oscar lists

In 1983, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win at the Oscars.She shared the Best Costume Design with John Mollo for their work in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi

Gandhi, made by an all British crew, won 8 Oscars that year. British-Indian actor Ben Kingsley won the acting prize for his authentic portrayal of the Mahatma

In 1988, Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay made it but lost to Pelle The Conqueror

In 1992, Bengali filmmaking legend Satyajit Ray was presented the Lifetime Oscar by his favourite actress, Audrey Hepburn

In 2001 Aanir Khan's Lagaan made it.Keeping Lagaan company in the final five was French film Amelie but the Oscar went to the Bosnian No Man's Land.

In 2009 ''Slumdog Millionaire''made by a British director and crew won -

Best Film Award

A R Rahman's two trophies for Best Original Score and Best Original Song

Resul Pookutty shared the Sound Mixing prize with Richard Pryke and Ian Tapp

Shah Rukh Khan tried and failed with Devdas in 2002 and Paheli in 2005.

Aamir Khan's Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and 2010's Peepli Live all missed the final five mark.

A R Rahman goes to the Oscars again. Nominated twice for Danny Boyle's 127 Hours