Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 24, 2015)

Actor-producer Vivek Gomber and debutante director Chaitanya Tamhane decided to go sightseeing after their film, Court, screened at the Asia Fukuoka Film Festival, in Japan, on Wednesday, when their phone began to ring and congratulatory messages started pouring in. Their debut production was India's official selection to the 88th Academy Awards, 2016 in the Best Foreign Language Film Category.

Their Japanese translator, jumped in, borrowing chargers from a local restaurant, to help them answer all their calls. "This is as unexpected as our selection to the National Awards. I have no idea what kind of paperwork is required. It will now be two months of research, prep and planning. We've put our all into this film, monetarily, creatively, emotionally. It was this time last year, that the film had premiered at the Venice International Film Festival. The journey continues," Vivek told Mirror from Fukuoka.

Equally surprised by the news, Chaitanya added, "At every juncture of its journey, the film has given us more than we could ever imagine. Since, we started, we have kept our expectations low and we are truly thankful to the jury."

Court was adjudged Best Feature Film at the 62nd National Film Awards and went on to win 18 other awards at festivals in Mumbai, Vienna, Antalya, and Singapore.

Chaitanya met Vivek in 2011 with the script of the courtroom drama. The 36-year-old-actor decided to come on board as first-time producer-presenter, also playing Vinay Vora, a lawyer in the film.

The Marathi-Hindi drama follows the life of a radical poet who is accused of waging war against the state. Vivek whose English has a hint of an American accent owing to his schooling in Singapore and college in Boston where he studied acting, laughs, "Maybe now someone will give me an acting job. I put all my savings on the line for this one, but the true goal is to be an actor."

Recalling Aamir Khan's Lagaan nominated in the same category for the Academy Awards in 2002, he adds, "I may not have the same power and networking Mr Khan had, but I will raise the money for campaigning. I have a unit of over 100 talented people depending on me to make it happen. I cannot let them down."

Is he is aware that jury member of the committee, Rahul Rawail, resigned, alleging manipulations? "I haven't been able to get through to my mom, let alone anyone else. I'll back on October 5 and better equipped to comment," Vivek says.

I RESIGNED BECAUSE OF AMOL PALEKAR NOT COURT

Filmmaker Rahul Rawail who resigned today after the selection of Court as India's official entry for the Oscars, says that his leaving the jury has nothing to do with the film.

"Court is a fabulous film. I have not quit because of the film, but because of the obnoxious behaviour by Amol Palekar," Rawail told Mirror.

Claiming that Palekar had hated the film which was only selected because of the efforts by the other 16 members on the panel, Rawail added. "I am in Hyderabad right now and will be visiting the Indian Film Director's Association tomorrow to release an official statement on this matter."