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It’s that time of year when we all pin our hopes on one picture to finally end the lengthy wait for an Indian film to win Best Foreign picture at the Oscars. At an occasion in Chennai, representatives of The Film Federation of India, the top body in charge of selecting India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Film Category at the 97th Academy Awards, announced Laapataa Ladies as the country’s entry. Laapataa Ladies, directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, follows the story of two young newlywed ladies who renew vows on a train voyage to their husbands’ homes. The film starred Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Srivastava, and Nitanshi Goel.
The makers entered 29 films this year, including Hanu-Man, Kalki 2898 AD, Animal, Chandu Champion, Sam Bahadur, Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, Good Luck, Gharat Ganpati, Maidaan, Joram, Kottukaali, Jama, Article 370, Aattam, Aadujeevitham, and All We Imagine As Light. Thangalaan, Vaazhai, Ullozhukku, and Srikanth, in addition to Laapataa Ladies, were among the top five films selected by the jury.
The jury members were introduced to the media by Ravi Kottarakara, President of the Film Federation of India. The jury was chaired by filmmaker Jahnu Barua.
Last year’s entry was Jude Anthany Joseph’s film (2018), which did not make the 96th Academy Awards shortlist. However, India fared better in the 95th edition, with the Naatu Naatu song from SS Rajamouli’s RRR winning the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The Elephant Whisperers, a documentary by Kartiki Gonzalves and Guneet Monga, won the award for Best Documentary (Short). Shaunak Sen’s All That Breathes also made the final selection for Best Documentary Feature.
The latest Indian feature film to reach the final shortlist was Aamir Khan-Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan (2001), which lost to No Man’s Land at the 74th Academy Awards.
Source:IE
