A R Rahman with double oscars for Music

Rahman won an Oscar for the best score, and another for his song Jai Ho from the film, a rags-to-riches tale set in the slums of Mumbai.

He praised Slumdog Millionaire's theme of hope and optimism.

Rahman is the third Indian to win an Oscar, after costume designer Bhanu Athaiya for her work in Gandhi in 1983 and director Satyajit Ray in 1992.

British director Danny Boyle has won best director for Slumdog Millionaire, and the film also took best picture. Altogether, it netted eight awards.