Oscar Award Winners in India List
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, represent the pinnacle of cinematic excellence worldwide. Over the years, Indian artists, filmmakers, and musicians have made the country proud by winning or being nominated for these prestigious awards.
This guide presents a complete and updated list of Oscar winners from India, their categories, and their contributions to global cinema.
Full List of Indian Oscar Winners
| Year | Winner | Category | Work/Film |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Bhanu Athaiya | Best Costume Design | Gandhi |
| 1992 | Satyajit Ray | Honorary Award (Lifetime Achievement) | Contribution to World Cinema |
| 2009 | A.R. Rahman | Best Original Score | Slumdog Millionaire |
| 2009 | A.R. Rahman (shared) | Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”) | Slumdog Millionaire |
| 2009 | Gulzar (lyricist, shared with A.R. Rahman) | Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”) | Slumdog Millionaire |
| 2009 | Resul Pookutty | Best Sound Mixing | Slumdog Millionaire |
| 2023 | MM Keeravaani | Best Original Song (“Naatu Naatu”) | RRR |
| 2023 | Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga | Best Documentary Short Film | The Elephant Whisperers |
Details About Indian Oscar Winners
Bhanu Athaiya (1983)
- Became the first Indian to win an Oscar.
- Won Best Costume Design for Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi.
- A milestone moment for Indian cinema.
Satyajit Ray (1992)
- Legendary filmmaker.
- Awarded an Honorary Oscar for Lifetime Achievement.
- Received the award on his deathbed, via a video message from Kolkata.
A.R. Rahman and Gulzar (2009)
- A.R. Rahman won two Oscars in one night for Slumdog Millionaire.
- His song “Jai Ho” with lyrics by Gulzar became a global sensation.
Resul Pookutty (2009)
- Won for Best Sound Mixing for Slumdog Millionaire.
- Brought attention to India’s technical talents in film sound design.
MM Keeravaani (2023)
- Won for the foot-tapping song “Naatu Naatu” from RRR.
- First time a purely Indian Telugu song achieved this global honor.
Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga (2023)
- Won for Best Documentary Short Film for The Elephant Whisperers.
- A heartwarming tale about an Indian tribal couple caring for an orphaned elephant.
Indian Films That Were Nominated for Oscars (Honorable Mentions)
| Year | Film | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Mother India | Best Foreign Language Film |
| 1988 | Salaam Bombay! | Best Foreign Language Film |
| 2002 | Lagaan | Best Foreign Language Film |
| 2021 | Writing with Fire | Best Documentary Feature |
Although these films did not win, their nominations placed Indian cinema prominently on the global map.
FAQs About Indian Oscar Winners
1. Who was the first Indian to win an Oscar?
Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Oscar in 1983 for Best Costume Design for Gandhi.
2. Has any Indian movie won an Oscar?
While several Indian movies have been nominated (like Mother India, Lagaan, Salaam Bombay!), technically, The Elephant Whisperers (2023) is the first Indian production to win an Oscar in the Documentary Short Film category.
3. How many Oscars has A.R. Rahman won?
A.R. Rahman won two Oscars in 2009 — Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Jai Ho”) for Slumdog Millionaire.
4. Did RRR win an Oscar?
Yes! “Naatu Naatu” from RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards (2023).
5. Who is the latest Indian Oscar winner?
As of 2025, the latest winners are Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga for The Elephant Whisperers and MM Keeravaani for Naatu Naatu.
Conclusion
The journey of Indian cinema at the Oscars reflects the growing global recognition of India’s storytelling, music, and technical brilliance.
As new filmmakers, artists, and musicians emerge, the future looks even brighter for India on the world’s biggest cinematic stage.