LOS ANGELES: India found a place in the winners' list too. Director Sam Mendes' war drama "1917", which has Reliance Entertainment and Amblin Partners among the banners associated with the film's production, took the Oscar for best visual effects, beating out tough competitors like "Avengers: Endgame". India's presence at the gala continued. Indian composer A.R. Rahman, who had won Oscars for his song "Jai ho", made it to an original song montage. It was back in 2009 that Indian composer AR Rahman was honoured with two Oscars for his song "Jai ho". Cut to 2020, the foot-tapping number made it to an original song montage at this year's Oscars ceremony here.
Rahman had struck gold for original score and original song in Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire".
This wasn't the only musical touch at the ceremony. Eminem, Elton John, Randy Newman, Chrissy Metz, Idina Menzel and Billie Eilish entertained the audience that consisted of stars like Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda and Martin Scorsese.
On Sunday night, American composer-lyricist-actor Lin-Manuel Miranda presented the montage that included hits from "Slumdog Millionaire", "Titanic" and "Wayne's World". The clip ended with Eminem from the 2002 film "8 Mile". Then the rapper himself hit the stage to perform "Lose yourself". He even got a standing ovation after his performance.
"Look, if you had another shot, another opportunity... Thanks for having me. Sorry it took me 18 years to get here," Eminem tweeted.
"Lose yourself" was the first rap song to win an Oscar for best original song.
Director Sam Mendes' war drama "1917" has received as many as 10 Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Director.
The film also won the best cinematography award at the ceremony held in Hollywood on Sunday night.
The film is about two young Lance Corporals, Schofield (George MacKay) and Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) during the World War l, who are given an almost impossible mission. Racing against time, they must deliver a message deep inside enemy territory. The message is important to stop their own men — including Blake's brother — from walking into a death trap.
Disney came up empty-handed despite having three of the highest-profile nominees in "Avengers", "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" and "The Lion King", reports nbcnews.com. (IANS)
Also Read: British Academy of Film and Televisions Film Awards (BAFTAs) 2020: '1917', 'Parasite' win big