"The essence of the film is about optimism and home. The power of hope in our lives. All my life I had the choice between hate and love. I choose love and here I am," said the musician while accepting the award for best song, penned by Gulzar.
India's Resul Pookutty won the third Oscar for 'Slumdog Millionaire' in the best Sound Mixing Category.
Smile Pinki, a documentary on a young Indian girl also won an Oscar in the best Short Documentary category.
British scriptwriter Simon Beaufoy fetched the first Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category while Anthony Dod Mantle won the Oscar for best Cinematography in 'Slumdog Millionaire', based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's novel ‘Q and A', as the world's top film honours got under way in Los Angeles.
"It is a tremendous honour. I thank Vikas Swarup, without him 'Slumdog' would not have happened, thanks Vikas Swarup," said Beaufoy while accepting the golden statuette.
"Thank you Dev, thank you Latika and the entire cast and crew of Slumdog," Beaufoy said.
The scriptwriter has already bagged the Golden Globe and BAFTA for "Slumdog Millionaire".
"I learnt a lot about life," said Beaufoy about his India experience.
This is a first Oscar for Beaufoy, who was earlier nominated in 1997 in the Original Screenplay Category for the film "Full Monty".
