Rediff Entertainment Bureau

The announcement Indians all over are anxiously awaiting: John Travolta (Grease, Getting Shorty) and Sharon Stone declare the Best Foreign Language Film -- No Man's Land (Bosnia & Herzegovina).

So it is not Lagaan. Five hours before the award ceremony, director Ashutosh Gowariker of Oscar nominated Lagaan, starring Aamir Khan, admitted fatalistically, "Mila to theek hai [if we get the award, it's okay]. Nahin mila to [if we don't get the award] it is as good as winning it."

Earlier, Australian artistes Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts call attention to the Achievement in Best Short Film -- Live Action to Ray McKinnon and Lisa Blount for their work in The Accountant.

The story is about two brothers whose farm is on the brink of bankruptcy. They consult an accountant who has some highly unconventional money-making suggestions.

At the 74th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre, Los Angeles, Ralph Eggleston wins Best Animated Short Film for his work in Pixar's For The Birds, about a flock of small birds perched on a wire, who find their delicate balance upset by the arrival of a larger bird.

A series of song renditions by the nominees for Best Music (Song) follow. Sting performs the ballad Until, the song he composed and wrote for the Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman starrer the time-romance Kate & Leopold. Celtic artiste Enya performs the moody, evocative May it be, from Peter Jackson's The Lord Of The Rings. If I didn't have you of Monster's Inc is set to tune by composer-lyricist Randy Newman.

Popular artiste Faith Hill croons There you'll be from Pearl Harbor (music and lyrics by Dianne Warren). Ex-Beatles singer Sir Paul McCartney sings the bluesy title track of Cameron Crowe's Vanilla Sky.

Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez announces Randy Newman's If I didn't have you, the winner.

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow (Shallow Hal, The Royal Tenenbaums) and Ethan Hawke (Oscar nominee for Training Day), give away the award in Writing (Adapted Screenplay) to Akiva Goldsman for his work in A Beautiful Mind, directed by Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe. The story is about the real life schizophrenic genius Dr John Forbes Nash Jr.

The Best Original Screenplay goes to Julian Fellowes for Robert Altman's Gosford Park, who just didn't want to "let go" of the award.