Entwrap: Tamil origin girl nominated at Oscar, Grammy

Oscar Lunch

At the annual Oscar's nominees’ lunch at Bevrely Hills on Monday all the nominees break bread with their competitors. But it was a meal to remember not for the food but for the glamorous stars who were all vying for the big O this year.

And amongst these stars was India’s A R Rahman on the red carpet who along with Danny Boyle, represented the Slumdog Millionaire team.

The Wrestler star Mickey Rourke and Forst/Nixon's Frank Langella were also spotted and joining them were the ladies Penelope Cruz, Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei and Kate Winslet, who has been nominated in the category of Best Actress for her role in The Reader.

“You know that I have been here so many times and have lost so many times that quite honestly, I have a really good losing face. I have sort of perfected that strange Zen blank calm that you have to have in the moment when they do not call out your name,” says Kate Winslet.

While Kate Winslet was mentally preparing herself for the final countdown, Josh Brolin was simply happy to be there.

“When someone doesn't want you to be hurt, the rejection and all that and then something like this happens after 25 years of being in love with it. It is really wonderful, wonderful. I am very humble to be in this crowd,” says Josh Brolin.

And on a lighter note, Tropic Thunder star Robert Downey added saying – “What I think is endearing about Tropic Thunder is that there is no way I could have read the script. 'This is Oscar time and I was just hoping that I wasn't shot at the premiere.”

The Oscars will be awarded in Los Angeles on February 22.

MIA Interview

London based hip hop artiste of Tamilian origin MIA also known as Mathangi ‘Maya’ Arulpragasam will be juggling Oscar and Grammy awards this year.

Not only has she been nominated for two Grammy's - Record of the Year for Paper Planes and Best Rap Song for Swagga Like US- MIA also in the race for Best song Oscar alongwith A R Rahman for the track O Saya from Slumdog Millionaire.

“You know for me it is like having the most expensive video made and by Danny Boyle who I happen to be a fan. I kind of did it because I thought it would be good for like A R Rahman and the people of India and the Tamil people to be like – oh she is doing something for us. At the same time over here it works and it is an amazing movie,” says MIA.

Grammy awards will be given away on February 8.