As congratulations poured in after their film Barfi! was made India’s official entry for the Oscars 2013, an elated actor Ranbir Kapoor and director Anurag Basu today feel it is still early days, saying “Lekin abhi delhi door hai”.
Released just 10 days ago, the film on Saturday beat 19 other movies to be named India’s entry in the “Best Foreign Language Film” category at the Oscars in February next year.
“We all are very happy... It is a team effort but we should not be that excited as the film has just got an entry from India, we are yet to be selected for the main entry,” said Ranbir, who has played the role of a deaf and mute boy in the film in a love story set in the fairy-tale world of 1970s Darjeeling, Anurag tweeted, “Thank you much!!! Lekin abhi Delhi door hai (We have a long way to go)!! Pray for us!!”. “The Oscar nomination is icing on the cake,” he told PTI.
Only three films — Mehboob Khan’s Mother India, Mira Nair’s Salam Bombay! and Aamir Khan’s Lagaan — from India have managed to get to the final round of Oscar nominations so far.
Ranbir, 29, said that they would seek advice from Aamir in case they make it to the final round.
“If the film gets a go ahead, we would take advice from Aamir (Khan) about how to go ahead,” Ranbir said. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra — playing an autistic girl — and marked the Bollywood debut of Ileana D’Cruz.
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Vicky Donor director upset with producers
New Delhi, Sept. 23: Director Shoojit Sircar has said he is disappointed and angry with the producers for not sending his film Vicky Donor for consideration as India’s entry at the Oscars next year.
Happy that he is with the selection of Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Barfi! as the official entry from India in the Best Foreign Language Film category, Shoojit said he was shocked to know that Eros Entertainment did not even send his film to the jury. “I’m really happy for Ranbir, Anurag Basu and the whole team of Barfi on the film’s selection as India’s entry to the Oscars. Congratulations!
“However, as far as my film Vicky Donor is concerned, I’m very disheartened, disappointed and angry that one of this year’s most original high concept story was not even considered by the producers of the film to be sent for Jury’s consideration,” Shoojit said in a statement. — PTI