This year has begun on a sad note at least as far as the race for the Oscars is concerned. India’s controversial entry for the Academy Awards in the foreign language film category is Vidhu Vinodh Chopra’s Ekalavya which has lost out in the line up of nine films to be short listed for nominations.
The film was mired in controversy from the word go as it was voted over Bhavna Talwar’s Dharm by a single vote. In spite of the hullabaloo Vidhu created over foreign critics being impressed by Ekalavya, it couldn’t somehow convince the Academy members.
This isn’t shocking as it seems to be the norm for Indian movies to be shown the door at the Oscars except in case of Lagaan. Generally, Indian films that are being sent for the Oscars are often large canvas commercial ones. Last year Rang De Basanti was considered a good choice but sadly the Indian connection remained with Water which made it to the final five but as Canada’s official entry. The previous years were no different either. Critics have for long argued that they rather send the film which wins the National Award as India’s official entry rather than let the Film Federation of India decide. Hope they soon send more worthy entries in future.
