Did You Know A. R. Rahman Dismissed Ismail Darbar’s Allegatory Remarks? Read Deets Here

In 2011, music director Ismail Darbar sparked outrage by claiming that fellow composer A. R. Rahman had ‘purchased’ the Oscars he received for his work on the film Slumdog Millionaire. Rahman was eventually forced to come out and reject the charge, claiming that it was not possible to purchase an Oscar. Rahman received two Academy Awards in 2009 for his work on Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. He received the prize for Best Original Score as well as Best Original Song for the track Jai Ho. However, Ismail Darbar stated two years later that the prizes were purchased.

He previously stated that he does not understand how the soundtrack for that film received the coveted Oscar. When asked what made it Oscar-worthy, he replied and said it’s the fact that it’s Oscar-worthy.  He claimed it was insignificant. He went on to say that the production on Slumdog Millionaire was far inferior to Rahman’s other works. If he had won it for movies like Roja or Bombay instead of Slumdog, he would have been overjoyed. He had done nothing to deserve it. He also stated that he is aware that it has been purchased. Ismail declined to explain how he knew the prize had been purchased.

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Rahman reacted angrily to the suggestion, claiming that Oscars cannot be purchased. He then emphasised that the Academy’s voting mechanism made it impossible for anybody to buy prizes. He went on to say that it has 3000 people and therefore it is impossible.

(Also Read: A. R. Rahman’s Niece Rushda Rahman Ties The Knot In Chennai; Photos From Ceremony Go Viral – PICS)

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which bestows the Oscars, also issued a statement in response to the claims. According to media rumours, the Academy was planning to sue Ismail Darbar approximately $50 million for defamation, however the Academy refuted this. They did, however, defend the authenticity of their prizes. The Academy has no plans to respond to Mr. Darbar’s statements. It is simply impossible to purchase an Academy Award. While some people may disagree with the outcomes of our voting systems, the Academy’s spokesperson informed a leading publication that the Academy stands by the integrity of the vote.