Future Sound

In film circles,Pookutty’s talent is well acknowledged. He was sound editor for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s melodramatic Black,in 2005,the creator of the haunting sound effects that came to define the movie. “The Oscar has definitely thrust me into mainstream,” agrees Pookutty,who was featured on the cover of the American Cinematographer Magazine after his work in Black. “But though I received offers to work in a recording studio in Los Angeles after Black,I refused because I want to prove myself in the Indian film industry.”

In August,Pookutty begins work on the Walt Disney Pictures martial arts film on Kalaripayattu,19 Steps,starring Kamal Haasan,Asin and Japanese actor Tadanobu Asano. He has signed up two other Hollywood films for 2010. Pookutty has received offers for a French production by filmmaker Francois Gerard and from a Croatian filmmaker. “I have been receiving letters for three months from the Frenchman. I have agreed to do his project even though I don’t know much about his work. I am looking forward to working in French movies since they are recognized for the quality of sound editing,” he says. Back in 2000,Pookutty was part of an Indo-French production,Mathrubhumi — a nation without women where French sound technicians were used. “The French didn’t rely on the Indian technicians for the sound. I felt helpless then. Now I have a chance to prove our worth,” he smiles. With a few movie projects like Blue and Prince lined up in Bollywood,for this year,Pookutty has his hands more than full. “My work in India got me the Oscar. I want to continue here. No point being one in a 1000 in Hollywood,” he signs off. Back to work,then.