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u00a0Resul Pookutty and his wife

His family was in tears, villagers crowding around a TV set in front of his house here cheered and plates of sweets did the rounds as Resul Pookutty became the first Indian to bag an Oscar for best sound mixing for critically-acclaimed film Slumdog Millionaire.

Tension had built up in the neighbourhood as the Oscar for sound editing did not go to Slumdog Millionaire, but shouts of joy broke out when Pookutty (36) was declared the winner for sound mixing. "We decided to place a TV in front of our home because since last evening the mood was building up. Heu00a0called me last night and said it is going to be tough," said Byju PT, the Oscar winner's elder brother.

The ones who could not hide their happiness were his two sisters who had tears rolling down their cheeks in Vilakupara village, about 50 km from the Kerala capital. "We just can't hide our emotions and I don't know what to say," said one of his sisters.