New Delhi: Veteran costume designer Bhanu Athaiya, who has returned her Oscar trophy to the Academy for safe-keeping, says she is happy that her most treasured asset has reached the right and safe place. Athaiya, now 86, became India's first Oscar winner in 1983 when she bagged the golden statuette for Best Costume Design in Richard Attenborough's biopic 'Gandhi'.
Athaiya returned her trophy back to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on December 8, 2012. The Academy had it picked up and it reached Los Angeles on December 11. "I have no regrets at all. I am very happy that my Oscar
has gone to the right place. I have wanted this for some time. I want to thank the Academy for helping me. Many Oscar winners in the past have returned their Oscars for safe keeping. It is a tradition with the Academy," Athaiya told PTI from Mumbai over phone.
The veteran was apparently worried for the safety of the trophy. She has previously donated "a huge collection of paper relating to 'Gandhi' that included photographs, production notes, letters etc" to the Academy.
Going down memory lane, Athaiya recalled how she became a part of the history by becoming the first Indian to win the coveted award. "I was sitting in the audience with the other nominees in my category. They all told me that they did not stand a chance to win the Oscar. They told me my canvas was huge so I would
definitely win the award. In my mind, I had told myself that I had done my best, that I had done justice to Gandhiji's name and the freedom movement."
"When they called my name, I did not allow myself to get carried away. I calmly went on the stage and thanked Sir Richard and the Academy. When I went back stage, I was surprised as there were so many photographers taking pictures.
But it was a great feeling. I was happy."
Contrary to rumours, Athaiya has not stopped working post 'Swades'. "It is not true that I have not worked for any film after 'Swades'. I worked on a Marathi film for filmmaker Jayprasad Desai. It is yet to be completed. I have been
approached for many films. I am working on a television serial called Mahabharat.
"Plus I am trying to put together a book on Kolhapur, my home town and trace my family roots. There is also an effort to find some good and worthy institutes and organisations that will acquire my sketches and illustrations that I have made over the years for safe keeping for posterity," she said.
One of the most respected names in film industry, Athaiya has worked with noted filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor and Ashutosh Gowariker in her career spanning 50 years.
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