The Oscar factor? After Rahman, Resul Pookutty claims that “no one gave him a job in Hindi films”

New Delhi:

Is an Oscar really “the kiss of death” in Bollywood, as filmmaker Shekhar Kapur claims to explain why composer A R Rahman would be excluded from film projects? Sound designer Resul Pookutty says he suffered “a virtual breakdown” because he received little or no work in the Hindi film industry after winning an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire, the same movie that gave Rahman his double victory. Rahman, much loved and much admired in the world, recently spoke darkly of a “gang working against” him, because of which he would have gotten fewer movies. Shekhar Kapur explained this as “more talent than Bollywood can handle”, in response to which Resul Pookutty added her post-Oscar experience.

Here is what A R Rahman said in an interview with Radio Mirchi, as reported by the PTI news agency. “See, I don’t say no to good movies, but I think there is a gang that, because of misunderstandings, is spreading false rumors.” It sounds amazing, coming from the man who gave us the unforgettable music of Roja, Dil Se, Kadhalan, Rangeela, Rang De Basanti and Lagaan. However, Rahman says Mukesh Chhabra, director of Dil Bechara who has a Rahman score, has been warned not to work with him. “When Mukesh Chhabra came to see me, I gave him four songs in two days. He said, ‘Sir, how many people said not to go, don’t go (to him). They told me. stories after stories. ‘ I heard that, and I said, “Yeah, okay, now I understand why I do less (work) and why good movies don’t come to me.” I make dark movies because it There is a whole gang working against me, without them knowing they are doing harm, ”said Rahman, reports PTI.

Unsurprisingly, A R Rahman’s comments made the headlines – the very private maestro usually lets his music do the talking for him. Shekhar Kapur, who had his own Oscar experiences with films Elizabeth and Elizabeth: the golden age, wrote in a tweet: “You know what’s your problem, AR Rahman? You went for Oscars. An Oscar is the kiss of death in Bollywood. It proves you have more talent than Bollywood can handle. “

In response, Resul Pookutty, who won the Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for Slumdog MillionaireTweeted, “Dear Shekhar Kapur, ask me about it.” I almost broke down because no one was giving me a job in Hindi films and regional cinema held me tight after winning the Oscar. Production houses have told me to my face “we don’t need you” but I still love my industry for that. “

Dear @shekharkapur ask me about it, i had gone through a virtual breakdown as nobody gave me a job in hindi films and regional cinema held me tight after winning the Oscar … there were production houses who told me to my face “we don’t need you” but I still love my industry, for that … https://t.co/j5CMNWDqqr

– resul pookutty (@resulp) July 26, 2020

Rahman’s own response to Mr. Kapur’s hypothesis was typically Rahman. “Lost money is coming back, fame is coming back but the wasted prime time of our lives will never return. Peace! Let’s move on. We have bigger things to do,” he tweeted. Rahman won his Oscars – for Best Original Music and Best Original Song – in 2009.

The rattle of the film industry has been a hot topic since the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, allegedly by suicide. Several top producers boycotted Mr. Rajput despite his many screen hits, according to unconfirmed reports; the Maharashtra government has announced that the police investigation into the actor’s death will also investigate allegations that he was depressed due to his professional rivalry.