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Resul Pookutty Discusses MPSE Golden Reel Nomination and Collaborations in Film

Academy Award-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty has garnered attention with his recent nomination at the 72nd Annual Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) Golden Reel Awards. Pookutty is recognized in the Outstanding Achievement in Sound Editing – Feature International category for his remarkable work on the Malayalam film Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life), directed by Blessy and featuring acclaimed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran. This nomination reinforces Pookutty’s reputation in Indian cinema, following his 2016 Golden Reel Award win for Best Sound on the documentary India’s Daughter.

In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Pookutty expressed his feelings about the nomination. “I have yet to win in the feature film category,” he noted, indicating that each nomination brings with it a mix of excitement and nerves. “For someone in the sound design field, this recognition is even more significant than the Oscars, as it comes from peers within the industry. Simply being nominated feels like an achievement in itself,” he added.

The sound designer shared insights into his work on Pushpa 2, his latest film project, emphasizing the pressures and obstacles the team faced during production. “We were on a tight schedule with Pushpa. The filming took around a year and a half, and we were frequently adapting our editing and sound work to keep pace with ongoing changes,” he explained.

Discussing the collaborative effort involved in the film’s sound design, Pookutty stated, “We worked with three composers who contributed to the score, and I had to make clear decisions about our sound direction. Despite the challenges, my team and I were committed to completing the project timely.”

Pookutty further elaborated on the film’s extensive release requirements, mentioning, “The scale was immense, with numerous prints, multiple language versions, and formats including 3D and IMAX. It was a monumental task to coordinate all of that.”

Interestingly, he highlighted that financial constraints were not a hindrance during the making of either Pushpa or The Goat Life. “I was fortunate to have no budget restrictions. I was free to work the number of days I needed and collaborated with a diverse range of professionals, including top talent from Hollywood for Pushpa,” he said.

Pookutty also reflects on his long-standing partnership with renowned composer AR Rahman, describing their collaborative synergy as exceptional. Their initial significant collaboration was for Slumdog Millionaire, a project that won an Academy Award for its music and sound. Most recently, they reunited for Aadujeevitham. “The creative connection we share is truly unique. I have never experienced anything like it with any other composer,” Pookutty concluded.

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