It's payback time for Oscar winner

Updated on: 03 June,2009 08:59 AM IST |
Vivek Sabnis |

Resul Pookutty wants to show his gratitude to Maharashtra by working in a Marathi film

Resul Pookutty wants to show his gratitude to Maharashtra by working in a Marathi film

While mainstream Bollywood sound designers shy away from entering regional cinema, Resul Pookutty, who won an Academy Award for his work in Slumdog Millionaire, has agreed to be part of a Marathi film project.

Explaining his decision to sign Swaraj, a socio-political film, Pookutty told MiD DAY, "This is my humble gesture to pay back the state of Maharashtra, the Marathi manoos and Marathi culture for all that they have given me.

I built my career here and reached the level that eventually led me to an Oscar."

Added Pookutty, "While I work for big-budget films, I also work for small-budget films like Swaraj. I get more creative freedom in these small-budget films." He said that about a decade ago, when he was a student at FTII, he had worked with the Marathi director duo of Nachiket and Jayu Patwardhan for their film Limited Manooski. "The first use of sync sound was made that time. Now we are using live sound recording for Swaraj.

I am enjoying the work thoroughly," said Pookutty.

Swaraj director Jayprad Desai is full of praise for Pookutty. "He is a committed artist and a highly-skilled technician," said Desai. According to Desai, Pookutty had seen the script a long time back. He had liked the idea and had agreed to be a part of the project.

"Pookutty had accepted Swaraj even before he won the Oscar," said Desai. "It is our sincere wish that he continues to contribute to regional films. We are confident he will give us his best," he added.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels