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"It's such a pity that kids like Azhar and Rubina are nearly homeless today and we cannot do anything to arrange for a simple dwelling for them. There are thousands of kids like them in our country who meet with a similar fate and I wish I could do something for all of them," he said.
Pookutty is associated with an NGO called 'Spandan', established by a group of college students in Pune.
The ace technician who won the Oscar for Best Sound Editing for 'Slumdog', the first ever by an Indian, was in Delhi to interact with a group of homeless children supported by an NGO.
The Academy Award winner declined to comment on recent accusations that 'Slumdog' over fantasiced reality and didn't deserve the Oscars. "I have nothing to say, people have their individual takes but the truth is in front of everyone to see.
The film has received success everywhere," he said.
The sound designer from Kerala feels Indian music as a whole has gained greater global recognition post 'Slumdog Millionaire'.
"You cannot compare the acceptance from Western audiences with that of India, but Indian Music is not alien to the world now after the super success of the film," he said.
An excited Pookutty seemed upbeat about his upcoming projects including three international ones.
"I have around six projects in the coming months which include 'Blue', 'Prince' and Kamal Hassan starrer '19 steps' along with international projects that I cannot reveal at this moment. But one of them is a French movie and I am also considering an offer from Croatia."
Talking about personal preferences in his work, the technician said 'Black and 'Gandhi my Father' are extremely close to his heart.
"After Black I had featured in the American Cinematography Magazine being the first Indian to do so and 'Gandhi My Father' is emotionally very close to me and working on it has been the most challenging till date," Pookutty said.
"To be very frank, technicans here always remain the unsung heroes and are never the face of any cinema, this is really sad," he said expressing his disappointment on the plight of technicians in Bollywood.
On being asked about his dream after the Oscar's, Pookutty was prompt with his reply, "I want to make a film in my own language, and I guess it is a dream for every individual associated with film-making."
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The point is, these two children deserve more. It doesn't mean that they should live in richness now, but the movie made over 300 million dolars in profits. It's a shame that they did not get enough money to move out of the slums. Not even their basic needs are met, talk about explotation and underpayment. The ones who made the movie have no obligation to resolve the poverty problems in India. But they owe these children. Shame and greed, that's all it shows. I did not watch the movie and I am not going to watch it.
Because, if anybody can help one, two or three kids in this extremy poverty to have a new life, with house, school, is very important do it. Remember the work of Madre Teresa of Calcuta. There are a lot of children in this bad situation, but if everybody help, the world would be better. If the goverment canīt help this children, the producer of the film would be do it, because the performances of this children were wonderful. They merit the best. What happen with the $326 million gains of the film?
The other day i saw the news item in BBC crying foul over demolition of slums of Azhar and Rubina. None of them mentioned that it was illegal construction and removal of the slum for ensuring proper water drainage. While i can understand BBC talking without knowing ground realities- It is strange to see Mr kutty make such a comment. After rains and flooding of Mumbai, this very same kutty will be the front runner in organising demonstrations and agitation of the government not cleaning up the drains and the blockages. While i agree that children had been displaced -but to say it is a NATIONAL SHAME is meaningless. let all those who have make millions in the movie - part a third of it and build alternate accomodation for all these slum dwellers. Other than this - all other statements are probably only for PUBLICITY.
I fully support the suggestion of Pamameen. Why not Slumdog team involve themselves and spend part of their profits/earnings for settlment of their team members. We can see the homeless people even in the developed countries. We should be proud of to be Indian.Pookutty, why anyone should be allowed to construct a house at the public place. Will you allow anyone to grab part of your property. Let stop using the words like "National Shame". We should be proud of our NATION.
Again, the shitty reporting.Why the concern ONLY for the child actors???Why can't this bloody Media raise this issue for all the poor and homeless people?Why the love for life is for a choosen one and the famous one? This is the thinking level of our media - the fourth pillor of India.
Resul can do a lot, he, A.R.Rahman and others involved in its production made millions and they can set up a fund by allocating part of the multi-million profits they made and make arrangements to educate the kids, take out education and other insurance for them and buy an apartment for their family. They have all the means to do these, it is a matter of charity, help and consideration. Will the Slumdog Millionaire actors and performers come forward. It is unfortunate that these children were born in India