My stay in LA was hectic. Yes, Goldie Hawn saw Lagaan and loved it. I also had meetings with several production houses and distribution companies who were keen on knowing our future plans.

I've told them it's not possible for me to take up every offer. But yes, I can put them on to other contacts in Mumbai. The interest in Indian cinema there is awesome. They want to use our facilities and are increasingly looking to India as a viable location for shooting. I was also offered many scripts from Hollywood. Several talent agencies too called up saying they wanted to represent me in Hollywood. I selected one, Endeavour. Though I have no concrete plans to work there, I'd like to keep my options open. I'll do an international film only if I come across something exciting.

As for the Oscars ceremony, it was very entertaining and well-planned. There was a lot of glitter and glamour. I met Uma Thurman and her husband, Ethan Hawke. They were extremely nice. Besides the directors of all the films nominated in the Best Foreign Film Category, I also met the leading man from No Man's Land, a wonderful and charismatic chap. I have seen this film. It is excellent. Lagaan lost to a worthy opponent.

When our film didn't get the Best Foreign Film, we were crestfallen. Both my director, Ashutosh Gowariker, and I had hoped to win. But I had told Ashutosh that the support we got was the biggest honour possible. No other film that evening, not even The Lord Of The Rings, had that kind of support. Many Academy members voted in its favour. These members were rooting for us. And they were openly disappointed when we didn't win. I don't know how many votes Lagaan lost by. But it seems to have been a close shave. This year, the highest number of foreign films was sent to the Oscars - 51. And we made it to the top five! Lagaan's greatest achievement is that Indian moviegoers from all over the world supported the film in an emotional sweep.

Throughout the Oscar week, we kept getting SMS messages. That was a high beyond all other victories. Two days before Oscars, the Academy hosted a press conference, a symposium and a dinner for the nominees in the foreign film category. Here we met many jury members, producers, directors and technicians. All of them said they loved Lagaan. Very encouraging indeed. Audiences in the West are becoming increasingly curious and aware about Indian cinema. It's time for Indian filmmakers to also look at the world audience.

Now we're readying the film for a May 10 release in the US. We aren't getting a 2,000-theatre release across the US like mainstream films. But Lagaan would be getting a proper arthouse cinema release the way Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon did. Depending on the response, the number of theatres will be increased.

When people say we took the film everywhere on our own, they're right. But why should we have expected support from others? The public projection of Lagaan was my director's and my responsibility. And we got tremendous support. A day before the Oscars, our ambassador to the US, Lalit Mansingh, hosted a dinner to celebrate the success of Lagaan.

I want to convey my gratitude to all the people in India and outside for their support. I know many are disappointed. But remember, Lagaan is just the beginning.

Now, I'm looking forward to leaving for home on Sunday. I'll be in Mumbai for three weeks. Then I'm off with my family on a two-month holiday.