[1]Although Indian films haven’t fared too well at the Oscars, each year our filmmakers hope for that elusive nomination in the Best Foreign Language film category at the prestigious Academy Awards.
In the running this year are 7 am Arivu and Vallaku En 18/9 from Kollywood; Heroine, Barfi, Kahaani, Gangs of Wasseypur, Paan Singh Tomar, Ferrari Ki Sawari, and The Dirty Picture from Bollywood; Eega from T-town; Malayalam film Akashaninthe Niram; Marathi film Deol; and a film each in Gujarati and Punjabi. These films have been chosen by the Film Federation of India, and screenings will be carried out under the aegis of the South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce in Hyderabad from September 18 to 26. A 16-member jury will watch the shortlisted films and select one to represent Indian cinema at the Oscars.
“We wanted to hold the selections in Chennai but since our chamber building is being renovated, we moved the venue to Hyderabad for the nine-day event,” said C. Kalyan, president, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce and secretary of Film Federation of India.
He also heaped praises on the two important Tamil entries 7 am Arivu and Vallaku En 18/9. “Both the films were different as chalk and cheese and won loads of appreciation and critical acclaim for their novelty,” Kalyan noted.
Links:
[1] http://archive.asianage.com/7cutco1jpg-749