AR Rahman winning an Oscar to Priyanka Chopra turning presenter for the event: Bollywood’s close connection with the Academy Awards

The prestigious Academy Awards are just days away and the excitement is at its peak. This year Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh starrer ‘Gully Boy’ was India’s official entry for the Oscar awards however it did not get a place in the final nominations. However, over the years India has continued to have a strong connect with the Academy Awards and here’s taking a look at all those special moments.

It has been less but there are quite a few Indian artists who have bagged the honour. Ace filmmaker Satyajit Ray received an Honorary Oscar Award in 1992 for Lifetime Achievement. The late filmmaker was unable to attend the ceremony since he was unwell, however his acceptance speech was reportedly conducted through live video feed from the hospital bed. AR Rahman and Gulzar won an Oscar for Best Original Song for 'Jai Ho' from ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ in 2009. Resul Pookutty bagged the honour for Best Sound Mixing for Danny Boyle’s ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Also, Bhanu Athaiya won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for ‘Gandhi’ (1982).

While every year India has been churning out a whole lot of movies, till now only three films sent by India have received a nomination in the Academy Awards’ list. Mehboob Khan's ‘Mother India’, Mira Nair’s ‘Salaam Bombay’ and Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘Lagaan’ are the only movies to get nominated. 1958 release ‘Mother India’ is not just remembered for getting India its first ever Oscar nomination in the Best Foreign Language Film category but has gone down in history as a film which narrated the most heart-warming story of a mother. 'Salmaam Bombay' released in 1988 and narrated the story of a boy's struggle in the city of dreams. And finally Aamir Khan starrer ‘Lagaan’ was based on India’s favourite subject of cricket.

Priyanka Chopra has been earning a name globally and in 2016 the actress turned presenter for the prestigious Academy Awards. The actress walked the red carpet in a stunning white strapless lace gown which came with a sweet heart neckline and a metal belt. Hair tied in a neat pony the actress went low on jewellery and her ensemble was truly impressive. Priyanka Chopra and Liev Schreiber presented the Academy for Best Film Editing to Margaret Sixel for 'Mad Max: Fury Road'.

The Academy Awards often pay a musical tribute to those actors who have passed away in that year. In 2018, the Oscar ceremony saw an emotional tribute which mentioned late actress Sridevi and acting stalwart Shashi Kapoor. In 2017 the prestigious award honoured Bollywood actor Om Puri, who had passed away earlier that year.