Of late, there’s been buzz around films such as RRR, The Kashmir Files and Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, as they stand a chance to represent India at the Oscars next year (95th Academy Awards). But, experts suggest that fans shouldn’t get overwhelmed with the hype yet, as the official selection process hasn’t even begun.

“The process of seeking entries will start at the beginning of September, with the Film Federation of India (FFI) sending invites to all the [film] associations in India. The jury will start viewing the films on September 16, and the official entry will be announced by the end of September. That film will be sent to the Oscars in October,” says Supran Sen, secretary general, FFI.

Breaking down the process of finding India’s official entry to the Oscars, Nitin N Datar, vice president, FFI, shares, “We don’t have a fixed selection committee. We add new members every year, who are all National Film Award winners. While we watch a lot of movies to decide the official entry, some producers can also send their entries directly to the Academy, if they meet the eligibility criteria. We take note of films from all across India and not just the popular ones.”

While the jury has been formed, the names of the members haven’t been revealed yet. “That’s because once the names are out, there is a lot of pressure from people, as they try to influence the jury members’ decision,” adds Datar

Trade experts are happy with the films that are creating the buzz. Taran Adarsh says, “These films are strong contenders, as they are unique and reflect real India.” Producer and trade analyst Girish Johar adds, “These films are apt because they represent Indian viewing consumption right now.”

Director Ketan Mehta, who has been on the jury in the past, decodes the criteria for picking the official entry: “The story and filmmaking should be high quality, and the story should have the ability to travel the world.”