However, that is not why we are here. We are here to celebrate the many Indians at the Oscars. In 90 years, 5 Indians have been awarded 6 Oscars. While that might not seem a lot, Indian representation at the Oscars has been growing intensely over a period of time. 

1. When Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win an Oscar.

Bhanu Athaiya won the Oscars for Best Costume Design for the film Gandhi in the year 1983. The biopic on Mahatma Gandhi went on to receive Best Picture and Best Actor, along with 5 other Oscars. Athaiya was the first ever Indian to win an Oscar.

2. When Mehboob Khan’s Mother India was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film.

Way before Athaiya received the award, Mehboob Khan’s Mother India was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Film in the year 1958. 

3. When Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay! became the toast of the Oscars.

Acclaimed filmmaker Mira Nair’s film Salaam Bombay! was not only globally appreciated for its depiction of the day-to-day lives of the children living on the streets of Mumbai, but also found itself being nominated for an Oscar for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1989. 

4. When Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Lagaan stole hearts at the Academy Awards. 

The critically acclaimed periodic drama Lagaan, directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar was nominated for the Best Foreign Language film in 2002. Not only was the movie critically acclaimed, it also went on to become a blockbuster all over the world. 

5. When Satyajit Ray was universally recognised for his contribution to cinema. 

Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray was awarded Honorary Oscar for his contribution to cinema in 1992. 

6. When Resul Pookutty won an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire. 

Resul Pookutty won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for Slumdog Millionaire in 2009.

7. When A.R Rahman and Gulzar bagged Oscars for the same film. 

The Indian veterans also bagged the Oscar for the Best Original Song for ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire.

8. When A.R Rahman bagged two Oscars on the same night. 

A.R Rahman, in his long illustrious career, has bagged two Oscars; for Best Original Song and Best Original Score for Slumdog Millionaire. His song ‘O Saya’ was also nominated in the same year. Rahman was again nominated twice in the year 2011 for 127 Hours.

9. When K.K Kapil and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s An Encounter With Faces was nominated for Best Documentary (Short Subject). 

In 1978 K.K Kapil & Vidhu Vinod Chopra were nominated in the Best Documentary (Short Subject) category for An Encounter With Faces. 

10. When the world recognised the genius of Ismail Merchant.

Ismail Merchant, an Indian born filmmaker has been nominated thrice for Best Picture in 1987, 1993 and 1994 and once for Best Short Subject (Live Action) in 1961. 

11. When Ashvin Kumar’s Little Terrorist was nominated. 

In 2005, filmmaker Ashvin Kumar’s Little Terrorist was nominated for the Best Short Subject (Live Action). 

 12. When Pt. Ravi Shankar got nominated for Gandhi.

The late Pt. Ravi Shankar was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Music Score for Gandhi in 1983.

 13. When Indian actress Persis Khambatta presented the Oscars. 

The late actress Persis Khambatta was the first Indian to present an award at the Oscars in 1980, alongside the legend, William Shatner. Khambatta is best known for her role as Princess Ilia in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. 

14. When Hollywood was in awe of Sunny Pawar.

Sunny Pawar, the star of Lion, was the toast of the Academy Awards in 2017. His performance in the movie was not only applauded but the actor was also adored by Hollywood elites. 

15. When Dev Patel brought his mom as the date for the Oscars. 

Patel, who was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film Lion at the 89th Annual Academy Awards brought his mother as his date and the internet had just lost it. 

16. When Priyanka Chopra presnted the Oscars in 2016. 

The 35-year old Indian actress who became an international sensation after her move to L.A presented the Oscars in 2016. Chopra presented the Oscar in the Best Film Editing category to Mad Max: Fury Road along with Hollywood star Liev Schreiber at the 88th Academy Awards ceremony.

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