'Benjamin Button' leads Oscar nominations, 'Slumdog Millionaire' is second

Los Angeles, Jan 22 (IANS) The Brad Pitt starrer reverse-ageing drama 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' has turned out to be the frontrunner for the 81st Annual Academy Awards with 13 Oscar nominations followed by British filmmaker Danny Boyle's Golden Globe winning drama 'Slumdog Millionaire' that has got 10 nominations.

Indian composer A.R. Rahman has been short listed with three nominations in the best original score and two nomination for the songs 'Jai ho' and 'O Saya' in the original song category.

The runners-up are 'Batman Begins' sequel 'The Dark Knight' and Elliot Graham's biopic on San Francisco gay activist Harvey Milk 'Milk' - receiving eight nominations each.

While Sean Penn got nominated as best actor in a leading role category, Josh Brolin has received the best actor nomination in a supporting role for 'Milk'.

Late Australian actor Heath Ledger received the highly anticipated posthumous nomination for the best supporting actor for his performance as the iconic villain The Joker in 'The Dark Knight'.

Veteran actress Meryl Streep received her 15th nomination at the Oscars for 'Doubt', alongside British actress Kate Winslet for best actress in Stephen Daldry's 'The Reader'.

'The Reader' and 'Doubt' in all have received 5 nominations each.

The gala presentation ceremony is to be held Feb 22 at the Kodak Theatre here.