82nd Annual Academy Awards, March 7th, 2010, Rahman out of race

James Cameron's sci-fi blockbuster 'Avatar' and his ex-wife Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war drama 'Hurt Locker' will fight it out for top honours at this year's Academy Awards after receiving 9 nominations each.

The 'Best Film' category has been expanded this time with 10 nominees, instead of the usual five.

The Best Director category has shaped up as a showdown between the ex-spouses James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow.

Master musician A R Rahman's chance to win back-to-back Oscars ended on Tuesday as he failed to win a nomination in the 'Best Original Song' category thus dashing India's only hope at the Academy's this year.

The 44-year-old singer-composer was long-listed in the category for his score 'Na na' in his Hollywood debut venture "Couple's Retreat".

Following is a list of the main Oscar contenders. The awards will be handed out in Hollywood on 7th March.

Best Picture: Avatar, The Blind Side, District 9, An Education, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Precious, A Serious Man, Up, Up in the Air

Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges, George Clooney, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Jeremy Renner

Actress in a Leading Role: Sandra Bullock, Helen Mirren, Carey Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe, Meryl Streep

Directing: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglourious Basterds, Up in the Air, Precious