The popular Jai Ho song would not have won the prestigious Oscar without the contribution of music maestro A R Rahman who changed the face and form of Indian film songs, veteran poet-lyricist Gulzar said Friday. Composed by Rahman for the 2009 film Slumdog Millionaire, Jai Ho is the first Hindi song to win an Academy Award in the Best Original Score and Best Original Song categories.

Gulzar penned the lyrics and singer Sukhwinder Singh lent his voice to the track. "It was because of A R Rahman the song won the award. Although Sukhwinder Singh also contributed in making the song a hit by putting a lot of energy into it. "Overall, I would say we all agree that it was because of the music maestro A R Rahman that the song won the coveted prize," Gulzar said here at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival.