The 81st Academy or should I say the 'Slumdog Millionaire' Awards did not stop paying homage to the film that's arguably dominated most of our headlines this past year.

With ten Oscar nominations and winning eight of them 'Slumdog Millionaire' solidifies itself as not only a cross over masterpiece, but one that transcends cultures to bring not only a great script, but music by Bollywood legend A.R. Rahman and the wonderful city of Mumbai, which was constantly praised by those who made the film, to the forefront of the world of entertainment.

Simon Beaufoy who accepted the award for Best Adapted screen play felt this film was destiny after uttering words that inspired him by those who wrote the story. "This is yours, take it to India." And musical genius A.R. Rahman made a valuable decision throughout his life which led him to this film. "All my life I had a choice of hate and love, and I chose love and I'm here, God Bless!"

Aside from blazing the stage with a performance of the songs 'Jai Ho' and 'O Saya,' A.R. Rahman took home two awards for Best Original Score, and Best Original Song for 'Jai Ho' with Gulzar.

The victory speech doesn't stop there, along with those wins, 'Slumdog Millionaire' also dominated the night by taking home 5 other awards including Best Cinematography thanks to Mumbai, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Film Editing and the most coveted awards of them all, Best Director and Best Picture.

Director Danny Boyle revealed the strange inspiration behind his success. "I told my kids I would receive this award in the spirit of tigger." Interesting choice of words Mr. Boyle. And Producer Christian Colson who accepted the award for Best Picture also had a confession for success. "We had passion and we had belief and if you have those two things truly anything is possible."

Other notable moments at The Academy Awards include actor Sean Penn winning the Best Actor award for his portrayal of gay activist Harvey Milk in the film so smoothly named 'Milk', and actor Mickey Rourke losing to him after reviving his acting career playing washed up wrestler Randy 'The Ram' Robinson in a film with another super slick name called 'The Wrestler'.

Other than that it's all about 'Slumdog Millionaire' in 2009. As if you haven't got enough of this film already. So what's next for India crossing over. Tell me what you guys think of 'Slumdog Millionaire' dominating the Academy Awards with eight wins.

British actress Kate Winslet won her first best actress Oscar for her performance in "The Reader", an adaptation of a German novel about a law student's love affair with an older woman post World War II.

"I'll be lying if I say that I have not prepared a version of this speech since the time I was eight and in the bathroom and this trophy was a bottle of shampoo. But it's not a shampoo bottle anymore. I feel very fortunate to have made it from there to here," Winslet said after receiving the award here Sunday.

Winslet also won the Golden Globe and British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) for best actress for "The Reader".

She had been earlier nominated for the Oscar six times, including that for her role in "Titanic", but it was "The Reader" that got her the coveted trophy for the first time.

Child artistes Mohammed Azharuddin’s and Rubina Ali are getting their passports done and visas done for their visit to the Oscars.

The Slumdog kids, as they are known these days, are supposed to go to Los Angeles for the Oscars.

Rubina has said, “Not in my dreams did I ever think that I will go to America. I have to buy clothes and shoes for the award ceremony.”

Azhar has added, “Even I would not have ever thought this but I am really happy. I have to thank Danny uncle as I am going to America.”

They have been assured of their passports but the Visa formalities are yet to be settled and it remains to be seen whether these kids can actually make it to the Oscars or not.

Meanwhile the controversy surrounding the compensation given to the child actors for the film continues. Producer Christian Colson says that the family was given money from a fund set up to build a new home but the parents deny it.

Azhar’s father Mohammed Ismail, a TB patient says, “Just provide us with a house, we don’t want any car or money.”

We hope there’ll indeed be a brighter tomorrow for these kids post the Oscars.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman is not content with just hosting the Oscars as he will be singing at the ceremony too.

oscar ceremony will welcome a new and welcome face for many a young fan. Sure, you’ll get your Brad and Angelina fix this weekend (both are nominated of course) but who cares about the world’s most famous couple this side of Barack and Michelle when Robert Pattinson is involved.

Yes, HitFix claims they have confirmed the recent rumors, that “Twilight” star Pattinson will indeed present an award at the Oscars. The report doesn’t indicate what award Pattinson will present nor whether his “Twilight” co-star, Kristen Stewart, will be by his side as he bestow a statuette to a lucky winner.

The decision to add Pattinson to the roster of presenters can’t be considered much of a surprise. It’s no secret that the Oscar telecast has been a ratings challenged affair in recent years. And this year’s ceremony, without a blockbuster like “Titanic” (or even “The Dark Knight”) in competition for the major awards, could use all the help it can. Hugh Jackman will host the proceedings and that certainly establishes a different vibe than the usual stand-up host. But with the addition of Pattinson the Oscar producers are clearly hoping to draw in a younger crowd.