India’s first Oscar winner Bhanu Athaiya passed away

India’s first Oscar winner, Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya passed away on 15 October after prolonged illness at the age of 91.

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Key-Points

Bhanu Athaiya (1929 – 2020) was an Indian costume designer who worked on over 100 films.

She won the Academy Award for Best Costume Design (shared with John Mollo) for her work in the 1982 film, Gandhi.

She became the first Indian to win an Academy Award. In 2012, Athaiya returned her Oscar to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for safe keeping.

She also won two National Film Awards – for Gulzar’s mystery drama “Lekin” (1990) and the period film “Lagaan” directed by Ashutosh Gowariker (2001).