What is the “Oscar Curse” lurking the Bollywood?

In an interview, music maestro A. R Rahman had answered why the music industry sensation is composing music for fewer and fewer Bollywood films. To this very take, filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor revealed the “Oscar curse” lurking the Bollywood.

A.R Rahman’s take 

While speaking to Radio Mirchi, Rahman said, “I don’t say no to good movies, but I think there is a gang, which, due to misunderstandings, is spreading some false rumours. When Mukesh Chhabra (director of Dil Bechara) came to me, I gave him four songs in two days. He told me, ‘Sir, how many people said don’t go, don’t go to him (AR Rahman) and they told me stories after stories.’ I heard that, and I realised, yeah okay, now I understand why I am doing less (work in Hindi films) and why the good movies are not coming to me. I am doing dark movies, because there is a whole gang working against me, without them knowing that they are doing harm.”

He added, “People are expecting me to do stuff, but there is another gang of people preventing that from happening. It is fine, because I believe in destiny, and I believe that everything comes from God. So, I am taking my movies and doing my other stuff. But all of you are welcome to come to me. Make beautiful movies, and you are welcome to come to me.”

Shekhar Kapoor revealed the “Oscar Curse” lurking Bollywood

Filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor tweeted a blunt remark on July 26, 2020.

https://https://twitter.com/shekharkapur/status/1287311995230801920?s=19

He said, “an Oscar is the kiss of death in Bollywood”. “It proves you have more talent than Bollywood can handle”, the deftly-chosen expressions of contempt read.

Resul Pookutty on the “Oscar curse” lurking in the Bollywood

Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty has shared how he was on the verge of a breakdown after not getting work in the Hindi film industry, post his Oscar win. Replying to filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, Pookutty wrote a series of tweets, calling the lack of opportunities in Bollywood as the “Oscar curse”. Pookutty’s revelation comes days after music maestro AR Rahman’s remark that a gang was working against him in Bollywood.

https://https://twitter.com/resulp/status/1287458168247738368?s=19

In subsequent tweets, Pookutty gave a shout out to a handful of people who trusted him and believed in him and still do! He said that he could have easily shifted to Hollywood but he didn’t and will not. He clearly said, “my work in India won me the Oscar, I got nominated six times for #MPSE and won too… again all that for the work I have done here… There will always people to run you down but I have far more faith in my people than anybody else! and much later when I discussed this with my @TheAcademy members friends they told me about #OscarCurse! It’s faced by everybody! I enjoyed going through that phase when you are on top of the world &when you know people reject you, it’s the biggest reality check!”

(Here, MPSE refers to Motion Pictures Sound Editors)

https://https://twitter.com/resulp/status/1287597047466557442?s=19

Both A.R Rahman and Resul Pookutty received Oscar for their work in the movie Slumdog Millionaire in the year 2009.