The year 2009 was India's biggest night at the Academy Awards. Three Indians won Oscars on the same evening. But this was not where India's Oscar story began. It started quietly, decades earlier, with a woman and a needle and thread.

Since 1957, India has sent official entries to the Oscars every year. Mother India, Lagaan, Salaam Bombay, and Water all reached the final five in the Best Foreign Language Film category. However, none won. Yet, individual Indians found glory in other categories across three different decades.

Also Read | Kanye West's first India concert delayed — organisers announce new date

Bhanu Athaiya (1983)

A needle and thread opened India's Oscar account. Bhanu Athaiya became the first Indian to win an Academy Award. Her category was Best Costume Design. The film was Gandhi, a 1982 historical drama by British director Richard Attenborough. She was the only Indian on a crew entirely led by British professionals. John Mollo, her colleague in the costume department, had previously won an Oscar for Star Wars. Long before Gandhi, Athaiya had dressed the characters of Pyaasa, CID, Guide, and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam.

Satyajit Ray (1992)

As many as 37 years after his debut film was released, Satyajit Ray was honoured by the Academy. The award was honorary, a recognition of a lifetime in cinema. Ray wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was also a writer, illustrator, publisher, and film critic. His first film, Pather Panchali (1955), alone won 11 international awards, including Best Human Document at Cannes. Charulata and Devi were among his other celebrated works.

One film, one night, three wins (2009)

The British-Indian movie Slumdog Millionaire changed everything. The Danny Boyle film was shot across Mumbai. It was based on a novel by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup. Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan were part of the cast. The story followed Jamaal, a slum dweller who wins USD 20 million on a game show to find his lost love. The film brought three Oscars to India in a single night.

Resul Pookutty won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing in the film Slumdog Millionaire. His journey in the film had been turbulent. A disagreement with Danny Boyle over the importance of sound pushed him to walk off the project. Danny Boyle later convinced him to return. On winning, Resul Pookutty said, "I dedicate this award to my country. This is not just a sound award but a piece of history that has been handed over to me." He later reflected, "It was a difficult project, and Danny [Boyle] was very demanding. It put a lot of strain on me emotionally and physically."

Also Read | Sunidhi Chauhan postpones March 14 Kolkata show due to throat infection; new date announced

AR Rahman created history that same night. No Indian before him had received three Oscar nominations in a single year. He was nominated for Best Original Score and for two songs – ‘Jai Ho’ and ‘O Saya’. He won both the score award and Best Original Song for Jai Ho. On stage, Rahman said, "Before coming here I was excited and terrified. The last time I felt that way was when I was getting married. There is a Hindi dialogue 'mere pass ma hai' which means even if I have got nothing I have my mother here. I want to thank her for coming all the way to support me."

The third win that night belonged to Gulzar. He had written the words for ‘Jai Ho’. The song's win at the 81st Academy Awards meant that both the composer and the lyricist took home the same golden trophy.

India is yet to win the Best Foreign Language Film award. But across costumes, sound, music, and cinema, five Indians have already left their mark on Oscar history.