India, with its rich cinematic history and vibrant film industry, has made significant contributions to global cinema. While Indian films have often been recognised at the Academy Awards, the number of Oscars won by Indian individuals and productions is a testament to the country’s growing influence in the global film industry.
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🎬 Introduction
The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prestigious awards in the global film industry. Since their inception in 1929, they have recognized excellence in cinematic achievements across various categories. India, with its diverse and prolific film industry, has had a notable presence at the Oscars. While Indian films have been nominated multiple times, the number of wins has been limited.
🏆 Total Number of Oscars Won by India
As of 2025, India has won a total of 10 Oscars. This includes both competitive awards and honorary recognitions. These accolades span various categories, showcasing the diverse talents and contributions of Indian artists to global cinema.
🥇 Competitive Oscar Winners from India
1. Bhanu Athaiya – Best Costume Design (1983)
Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win an Oscar for her work on the film Gandhi. Her meticulous attention to historical detail in costume design earned her this prestigious award.
2. A.R. Rahman – Best Original Score & Best Original Song (2009)
A.R. Rahman made history by winning two Oscars for his work on Slumdog Millionaire. He received the Best Original Score and Best Original Song (for “Jai Ho”) awards, becoming the first Indian to win multiple Oscars in a single year.
3. Gulzar – Best Original Song (2009)
Lyricist Gulzar shared the Oscar for Best Original Song with A.R. Rahman for the song “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire.
4. Resul Pookutty – Best Sound Mixing (2009)
Resul Pookutty won the Oscar for Best Sound Mixing for his work on Slumdog Millionaire, making him the first Indian to win in this category.
5. M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose – Best Original Song (2023)
The song “Naatu Naatu” from the film RRR won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Music composer M.M. Keeravani and lyricist Chandrabose were honored for their work, marking a significant achievement for Indian cinema.
6. Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga – Best Documentary (Short Subject) (2023)
The Elephant Whisperers, a short documentary directed by Kartiki Gonsalves and produced by Guneet Monga, won the Oscar for Best Documentary (Short Subject). This win highlighted the global appeal of Indian storytelling.
🏅 Honorary Oscar Winner
Satyajit Ray – Honorary Award (1992)
Legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray was awarded an Honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievements in cinema. Ray’s films, such as Pather Panchali, have been acclaimed worldwide for their humanistic portrayal of Indian society.
🎥 Indian Films Nominated for Best International Feature Film
Several Indian films have been nominated for the Best International Feature Film category, though none have won. Notable nominations include:
- Mother India (1957)
- Salaam Bombay! (1988)
- Lagaan (2001)
🌟 Notable Indian Oscar Nominees
In addition to the winners, several Indian artists have been nominated for Oscars:
- M. Night Shyamalan – Best Director & Best Original Screenplay (1999)
- Ismail Merchant – Best Picture (Multiple Nominations)
- Ravi Shankar – Best Original Score (1983)
📊 Summary of Indian Oscar Wins
| Year | Winner(s) | Film/Contribution | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Bhanu Athaiya | Gandhi | Best Costume Design |
| 2009 | A.R. Rahman | Slumdog Millionaire | Best Original Score |
| 2009 | Gulzar | Slumdog Millionaire | Best Original Song |
| 2009 | Resul Pookutty | Slumdog Millionaire | Best Sound Mixing |
| 2023 | M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose | RRR | Best Original Song |
| 2023 | Kartiki Gonsalves & Guneet Monga | The Elephant Whisperers | Best Documentary (Short Subject) |
| 1992 | Satyajit Ray | Lifetime Achievement | Honorary Award |
📰 Recent Developments
In the 2025 Oscars, India continued to make its mark with multiple nominations, reflecting the country’s growing influence in global cinema. Films like Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, have been selected as India’s official entries, showcasing the diverse narratives emerging from Indian filmmakers. The Times of India
📌 Conclusion
India’s journey at the Oscars is a testament to the country’s rich cinematic heritage and the global recognition of its talent. While the number of wins may be limited, the impact of Indian artists and films at the Academy Awards has been profound. With each passing year, Indian cinema continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and the future looks promising for even more Oscar triumphs.
🔍 FAQs
Q1: How many Oscars has India won?
India has won a total of 10 Oscars, including both competitive and honorary awards.
Q2: Who was the first Indian to win an Oscar?
Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to win an Oscar for Best Costume Design in 1983 for the film Gandhi.
Q3: Which Indian film won the most Oscars?
Slumdog Millionaire won 8 Oscars in 2009, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Score.
Q4: Has any Indian film won the Best International Feature Film Oscar?
No Indian film has won the Best International Feature Film Oscar, though films like Mother India, Salaam Bombay!, and Lagaan have been nominated.
Q5: Who is the most nominated Indian artist at the Oscars?
A.R. Rahman holds the record for the most Oscar nominations among Indians, with a total of five nominations.